title: Genetic control of branching morphogenesis.
abstract: The genetic programs that direct formation of the treelike branching structures of two animal organs have begun to be elucidated. In both the developing Drosophila tracheal (respiratory) system and mammalian lung, a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway is reiteratively used to pattern successive rounds of branching. The initial pattern of signaling appears to be established by early, more global embryonic patterning systems. The FGF pathway is then modified at each stage of branching by genetic feedback controls and other signals to give distinct branching outcomes. The reiterative use of a signaling pathway by both insects and mammals suggests a general scheme for patterning branching morphogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5307, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Krasnow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors