title: How is digit identity determined during limb development?
abstract: Digit identity has been studied using the chick embryo as a model system for more than 40 years. Using this model system, several milestone findings have been reported, such as the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA), the Shh gene, and the theory of morphogen and positional information. These experimental results and models provided context for understanding pattern formation in developmental biology. The focus of this review is on the determination of digit identity during limb development. First, the history of studies on digit identity determination is described, followed by descriptions of the molecular mechanisms and current models for determination of digit identity. Finally, future questions and remarkable points will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan. suzuki.takayuki@j.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016764:Cell Polarity; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005121:Extremities / Q000196:embryology*; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018878:Limb Buds / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D017689:Polydactyly / Q000196:embryology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins