title: Finger or toe: the molecular basis of limb identity.
abstract: Despite their obvious similarities, the forelimbs and hindlimbs of tetrapod vertebrates have evolved distinct structural elements to carry out their discrete functions. Many genes required for limb initiation and patterning are involved in regulatory networks common to both limb-types. Other genes are differentially expressed between forelimb and hindlimb, and have been implicated in the initiation of limb bud outgrowth and the specification of limb-type identity. In this review, I will discuss the current understanding of how genes that control limb identity interact with regulatory networks common to both appendages to produce the fingers of the hand and toes of the foot.
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Medical Research, London, NW7 1AA, UK. mlogan@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Logan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D005121:Extremities / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018878:Limb Buds / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; C103172:T-box transcription factor 5