title: Modulation of Fgf8 activity during vertebrate brain development.
abstract: In recent years much emphasis has been placed on investigation of the precise control of FGF signaling during brain development. Such control is achieved in part by regulatory elements that determine the domains and levels of expression of genes coding for the diverse FGF ligands via specific molecular signaling pathways. There is new knowledge on the operation of such mechanisms in regions of the neural tube involved in the correct patterning of adjacent territories (known as secondary organizers of neural tube pattern). In the present minireview we intend to summarize recent evidence and emerging conclusions on potent modulators that govern the activity of Fgf8 signals in the developing vertebrate brain, focusing our attention on the best known secondary organizer, the isthmic organizer.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, University Miguel Hernandez (UMH-CSIC), Carretera de Valencia (N332), San Juan, Alicante 03550, Spain. diegoaza@umh.es
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Echevarria
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Belo
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D054642:Dual Specificity Phosphatase 6; D047108:Embryonic Development; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D020897:Organizers, Embryonic; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D054642:Dual Specificity Phosphatase 6; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases