Cytonemes in development

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2019 Aug:57:25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Abstract

Cell-cell communication is essential during the development of multicellular organisms. Specialized cell protrusions called cytonemes have been identified to exchange signals between cells that are vital for tissue development. Cytonemes can carry signalling components between distant cells and thus regulate the activity levels of the corresponding signalling pathways across entire tissues. This review summarizes the key findings on the formation and function of cytonemes in tissue development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Communication / genetics
  • Embryonic Development / genetics*
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins