Developmental regulation of somite derivatives: muscle, cartilage and tendon

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2002 Oct;12(5):548-57. doi: 10.1016/s0959-437x(02)00339-8.

Abstract

Recent research has broadened significantly our understanding of how the somite, a specialized mesodermal structure found in vertebrate embryos, gives rise to the cartilage, muscle and tendon cell lineages. The specification of somite derivatives involves the action of patterning signals secreted from adjacent tissue combined with the activation, in particular somitic compartments, of genes promoting cell lineage specification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning
  • Cartilage / embryology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chick Embryo
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Mesoderm / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / embryology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Somites / cytology*
  • Somites / metabolism
  • Tendons / embryology*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors