Establishing a left-right axis in the embryo.
Vertebrates exhibit evolutionarily conserved asymmetries in the pattern of internal organ placement that are essential for their normal physiological function. Left-right asymmetries in organ situs are dependent upon the formation of an intact left-right axis during embryogenesis. Recently many of the molecular components involved in the initiation and maintenance of the left-right axis have been described. These molecules and their function in promoting left-right asymmetries are reviewed.
Ryan
A K
AK
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0648, USA. aimee.ryan@muhe.mcgill.ca
Izpisúa Belmonte
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D007839:Functional Laterality; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*
D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta