Somitogenesis: segmenting a vertebrate

M J McGrew, O Pourquié

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The partitioning of the vertebrate body into a repetitive series of segments, or somites, requires the spatially and temporally co-ordinated behaviour of mesodermal cells. To date, it remains unknown how applicable our knowledge of the genetic mechanisms governing Drosophila segmentation will be to that of vertebrates, though recent results indicate some degree of conservation. Genetic studies in the mouse point to a major role for the Notch-Delta signalling pathway in somite formation. Furthermore, a molecular clock may be 'ticking' in the presomitic mesoderm.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)487-93
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Genetics and Development
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1998

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Signal Transduction
  • Somites
  • Vertebrates

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