A complex oscillating network of signaling genes underlies the mouse segmentation clock

Science. 2006 Dec 8;314(5805):1595-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1133141. Epub 2006 Nov 9.

Abstract

The segmental pattern of the spine is established early in development, when the vertebral precursors, the somites, are rhythmically produced from the presomitic mesoderm. Microarray studies of the mouse presomitic mesoderm transcriptome reveal that the oscillator associated with this process, the segmentation clock, drives the periodic expression of a large network of cyclic genes involved in cell signaling. Mutually exclusive activation of the notch-fibroblast growth factor and Wnt pathways during each cycle suggests that coordinated regulation of these three pathways underlies the clock oscillator.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning*
  • Embryonic Development / genetics*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Glycosyltransferases / genetics
  • Hybrid Cells
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mesoderm / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Multigene Family
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Somites / cytology
  • Somites / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Glycosyltransferases
  • Lfng protein, mouse