Abstract
Morphogen signalling among cells is one of the most important mechanisms underlying the progressive patterning of embryos. Members of the hedgehog (Hh), wingless (Wnt), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta), and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) families of extracellular signalling molecules act as morphogens. Recent studies have demonstrated that members of these four families of proteins, secreted by well-characterised organiser centres in the central nervous system (CNS) as floor plate or midbrain-hindbrain boundary, are reused at later developmental stages to control axon growth. Here, we have summarised the evidence for this novel idea with a particular emphasis on those related to Shh and Wnt signalling-the object of some works in our laboratory.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Patterning / physiology
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
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Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
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Growth Cones / physiology*
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
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Models, Biological
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Morphogenesis / physiology*
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Neurons / cytology*
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Neurons / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
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Trans-Activators / genetics
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Trans-Activators / metabolism
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Wnt Proteins
Substances
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
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Hedgehog Proteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Wnt Proteins
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Fibroblast Growth Factors