Abstract

ABARCA-BUIS, René Fernando; GARCIADIEGO-CAZARES, David  and  CHIMAL-MONROY, Jesús. Molecular mechanisms that controls vertebrate limb development. TIP [online]. 2006, vol.9, n.2, pp.78-89. ISSN 1405-888X.

How can a group of undifferentiated cells develop into complex structures and highly organized and differentiated tissues? What is the nature of the signals that dictate these events? Which developmental processes act so that different species can develop similar structures adapted to the environment where they live? A model that partly answers these questions is the embryonic limb. Limb bud studies have suggested interesting paradigms that have changed the perception of development as an isolated and not very dynamic process. The present work reviews the studies that have led to understand the induction of the limb bud and the establishment of the organizing centers that control limb morphogenesis, as well as the skeletal pattern that includes cartilage differentiation and cell death.

Keywords : AER; chondrogenesis; limb bud; digit identity; limb identity; programmed cell death; progress zone; ZPA.