The T-domain transcription factors Tbx4 and Tbx5 have been implicated, by virtue of their limb-type specific expression, in controlling the identity of vertebrate legs and arms, respectively. To study the roles of these genes in developing and regenerating limbs, we cloned Tbx4 and Tbx5 cDNAs from the newt, and generated antisera that recognize Tbx4 or Tbx5 proteins. We show here that, in two urodele amphibians, newts and axolotls, the regulation of Tbx4 and Tbx5 differs from higher vertebrates. At the mRNA and protein level, both Tbx4 and Tbx5 are expressed in developing hindlimbs as well as in developing forelimbs. The coexpression of these genes argues that additional factors are involved in the control of limb type-specific patterns. In addition, newt and axolotl Tbx4 and Tbx5 expression is regulated differently during embryogenesis and regenerative morphogenesis. During regeneration, Tbx5 is exclusively upregulated in the forelimbs, whereas Tbx4 is exclusively upregulated in the hindlimbs. This indicates that, on a molecular level, different regulatory mechanisms control the shaping of identical limb structures and that regeneration is not simply a reiteration of developmental gene programs.
The induction and specification of a large number of vertebrate organs require reciprocal signaling between an epithelium and subjacent mesenchyme. In the formation of integumentary organs, the initial inductive signaling events leading to the formation of the organ primordia stem from the mesenchyme. However, the epithelium must have the capacity to respond to these signals. We demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (Bmp7) is an early molecular marker for epidermal organ development during development of feathers and scales of the chick. Bmp7 is expressed broadly in the preplacode epidermis and subsequently becomes localized to the forming placodes of feathers and scales. An examination of Bmp7 expression in the scaleless mutant chicken integument indicates that Bmp7 expression in the epidermis is associated with the ability to form epidermal organs. We show that BMP7 function is necessary for the formation of epidermal placodes in both feather and scale forming epidermis. In addition, precocious expression of Bmp7 in the metatarsal epidermis of the Silkie mutant or treatment of the metatarsus with ectopic BMP7 protein results in feather development from scale forming integument. From these data, we propose that Bmp7 is necessary and sufficient, in a developmental context, to mediate the competence of an epithelium to respond to inductive signals from the underlying mesenchyme to form epidermal organs in the chick. We propose that regulation of Bmp7 in localized areas of the embryonic epidermis facilitates the development of regional formation of integumentary organs. Developmental Dynamics 231:22-32, 2004.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.