Premium
Midline and laterality defects: Left and right meet in the middle †
Author(s) -
Roessler Erich,
Muenke Maximilian
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.1130
Subject(s) - holoprosencephaly , laterality , cyclopia , embryology , sonic hedgehog , anatomy , biology , forebrain , hedgehog , neuroscience , central nervous system , genetics , pregnancy , fetus , signal transduction , gene
The aim of this review is to summarize some of the recent advances in molecular embryology that help to explain the pathogenesis of holoprosencephaly (HPE), or its related malformation in model organisms, cyclopia, and laterality defects in humans, derived from detailed analysis of similar malformations in animal models. Recently, defects in several developmental pathways including those operated by the Sonic hedgehog and Nodal signaling factors have been implicated as causes of HPE or laterality defects in humans. Here we summarize the findings in animal models that indicate that both defects can be explained by mechanisms that relate to the proper development of the axial midline in vertebrates. BioEssays 23:888–900, 2001. Published 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.