Evolution: Enhanced Footing for Snake Limb Development

Curr Biol. 2016 Dec 5;26(23):R1237-R1240. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.018.

Abstract

Two groups have studied the loss of limbs in snake evolution by focusing on a long-distance cis-acting enhancer of Sonic Hedgehog. They find a progressive degeneration of binding sites for key transcription factors, mirroring the progressive limblessness occurring in these reptiles.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Fishes / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Snakes / anatomy & histology*
  • Snakes / genetics*