title: Scaling of BMP gradients in Xenopus embryos.
abstract: Metazoan organisms can 'scale', that is, maintain similar proportions regardless of size. Ben-Zvi et al. use experiments in Xenopus to support a quantitative model that explains morphological scaling as the result of scaling of a gradient of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals. We believe that the evidence for scaling in Xenopus is misinterpreted, and that their model for embryonic patterning disagrees with prior data. The experiments they present supporting their model admit alternative interpretations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Francois
authors.forename: Alin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vonica
authors.forename: Ali H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Brivanlou
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Siggia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D049628:Body Size; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004058:Diffusion; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000172:deficiency; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D008954:Models, Biological; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C054234:chordin