Genetics of morphogen gradients.
The organization of cells and tissues is controlled by the action of 'form-giving' signalling molecules, or morphogens, which pattern a developmental field in a concentration-dependent manner. As the fate of each cell in the field depends on the level of the morphogen signal, the concentration gradient of the morphogen prefigures the pattern of development. In recent years, molecular genetic studies in Drosophila melanogaster have allowed tremendous progress in understanding how morphogen gradients are formed and maintained, and the mechanism by which receiving cells respond to the gradient.
Tabata
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Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan. ttabata@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics