Extracellular modulation of BMP activity in patterning the dorsoventral axis

Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2006 Sep;78(3):224-42. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.20079.

Abstract

Signaling via bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulates a vast array of diverse biological processes in the developing embryo and in postembryonic life. Many insights into BMP signaling derive from studies of the BMP signaling gradients that pattern cell fates along the embryonic dorsal-ventral (DV) axis of both vertebrates and invertebrates. This review examines recent developments in the field of DV patterning by BMP signaling, focusing on extracellular modulation as a key mechanism in the formation of BMP signaling gradients in Drosophila, Xenopus, and zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors / metabolism*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Signal Transduction
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors