Morphogens as growth cone signalling molecules.
Morphogen signalling among cells is one of the most important mechanisms underlying the progressive patterning of embryos. Members of the hedgehog (Hh), wingless (Wnt), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta), and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) families of extracellular signalling molecules act as morphogens. Recent studies have demonstrated that members of these four families of proteins, secreted by well-characterised organiser centres in the central nervous system (CNS) as floor plate or midbrain-hindbrain boundary, are reused at later developmental stages to control axon growth. Here, we have summarised the evidence for this novel idea with a particular emphasis on those related to Shh and Wnt signalling-the object of some works in our laboratory.
Sánchez-Camacho
Cristina
C
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Dr. Arce 37, Madrid 28002, Spain.
Rodríguez
Josana
J
Ruiz
José María
JM
Trousse
Françoise
F
Bovolenta
Paola
P
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors