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Regulation of facial morphogenesis by endothelin signaling: Insights from mice and fish
Author(s) -
Clouthier David E.,
Garcia Elvin,
Schilling Thomas F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.064
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1552-4833
pISSN - 1552-4825
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.a.33568
Subject(s) - neural crest , morphogenesis , biology , zebrafish , craniofacial , hox gene , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , branchial arch , morpholino , genetics , gene , neuroscience , transcription factor , embryo
Craniofacial morphogenesis is accomplished through a complex set of developmental events, most of which are initiated in neural crest cells within the pharyngeal arches. Local patterning cues from the surrounding environment induce gene expression within neural crest cells, leading to formation of a diverse set of skeletal elements. Endothelin‐1 (Edn1) is one of the primary signals that establishes the identity of neural crest cells within the mandibular portion of the first pharyngeal arch. Signaling through its cognate receptor, the endothelin‐A receptor, is critical for patterning the ventral/distal portion of the arch (lower jaw) and also participates with Hox genes in patterning more posterior arches. Edn1/Ednra signaling is highly conserved between mouse and zebrafish, and genetic analyses in these two species have provided complementary insights into the patterning cues responsible for establishing the craniofacial complex as well as the genetic basis of facial birth defect syndromes. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.