Requirement for BMP signaling in interdigital apoptosis and scale formation.
Interdigital cell death leads to regression of soft tissue between embryonic digits in many vertebrates. Although the signals that regulate interdigital apoptosis are not known, BMPs--signaling molecules of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily--are expressed interdigitally. A dominant negative type I BMP receptor (dnBMPR-IB) was used here to block BMP signaling. Expression of dnBMPR in chicken embryonic hind limbs greatly reduced interdigital apoptosis and resulted in webbed feet. In addition, scales were transformed into feathers. The similarity of the webbing to webbed duck feet led to studies that indicate that BMPs are not expressed in the duck interdigit. These results indicate BMP signaling actively mediates cell death in the embryonic limb.
Zou
H
H
Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Niswander
L
L
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004372:Ducks; D005241:Feathers / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D005528:Foot / Q000196:embryology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010641:Phenotype; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014162:Transfection
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D012313:RNA; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I