title: Left-right asymmetry in gut development: what happens next?
abstract: The gastrointestinal tract is an asymmetrically patterned organ system. The signals which initiate left-right asymmetry in the developing embryo have been extensively studied, but the downstream steps required to confer asymmetric morphogenesis on the gut organ primordia are less well understood. In this paper we outline key findings on the tissue mechanics underlying gut asymmetry, across a range of species, and use these to synthesise a conserved model for asymmetric gut morphogenesis. We also discuss the importance of correct establishment of left-right asymmetry for gut development and the consequences of perturbations in this process.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Sally F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Burn
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008643:Mesentery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D012857:Situs Inversus; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors