Hox Timing Determines Limb Placement

Hox Timing Determines Limb Placement

Hox genes are famous for controlling vertebral identity. This study has found that differential timing of Hox genes in the lateral plate mesoderm determines limb placement also. Young et al. explore the placement of limbs in tetrapods and avian species to better understand these concepts. They determined that our earliest ancestors in the Devonian period must have possessed Hox genes due to the development of appendages; however, this opens a whole conundrum of what controls the spatiotemporal pattern of these Hox genes and how the tissues coordinate in the gastrulating embryo so that the forelimb always forms in the correct location. The authors suggest more work with the Hox genes of zebra finches, chickens, and ostriches may show some interesting prospects with retinoic acid expression.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982218315987

Kristin Carline | Potluck Contribution | 3/2/20