title: Hox genes regulate digit patterning by controlling the wavelength of a Turing-type mechanism.
abstract: The formation of repetitive structures (such as stripes) in nature is often consistent with a reaction-diffusion mechanism, or Turing model, of self-organizing systems. We used mouse genetics to analyze how digit patterning (an iterative digit/nondigit pattern) is generated. We showed that the progressive reduction in Hoxa13 and Hoxd11-Hoxd13 genes (hereafter referred to as distal Hox genes) from the Gli3-null background results in progressively more severe polydactyly, displaying thinner and densely packed digits. Combined with computer modeling, our results argue for a Turing-type mechanism underlying digit patterning, in which the dose of distal Hox genes modulates the digit period or wavelength. The phenotypic similarity with fish-fin endoskeleton patterns suggests that the pentadactyl state has been achieved through modification of an ancestral Turing-type mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Sociedad para el Desarrollo Regional de Cantabria-Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: Rushikesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marcon
authors.forename: M Félix
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bastida
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Junco
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dahn
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kmita
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017689:Polydactyly / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000074290:Zinc Finger Protein Gli3
chemical_list: C465571:Gli3 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C490939:Hoxd11 protein, mouse; C490943:Hoxd12 protein, mouse; C084118:Hoxd13 protein, mouse; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000074290:Zinc Finger Protein Gli3; C099959:homeobox protein HOXA13