Biomaterial Database

Morphogenesis of the vertebrate limb. 1975

L Wolpert, and J Lewis, and D Summerbell

Pattern formation in both the developing and the regenerating vertebrate limb can be understood in terms of the assignment of positional values to cells. The positional value may then control the selection of a course of cytodifferentiation as, say, muscle or cartilage. It is proposed that the proximodistal coordinate of positional value is extablished by a mechanism based on autonomous change with time in a 'progress zone' at the tip of the limb bud. The anteroposterior coordinate seems to be specified by a positional signal from an orgainzing region. Only cells in the progress zone respond to this signal. The change of character in the progress zone may be linked to cell division. It seems that each skeletal rudiment may initially be the same length, corresponding to the amount of tissue that leaves the progress zone during one cell cycle. The lengths on the skeletal elements are already specified shortly after exit from the progress zone, and are capable of very little regulation. The positional value may determine the pregramme of later growth. The relevance of the progress zone model to epimorphic regulation, and amphibian limb regeneration in particular, is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009024	Morphogenesis	The development of anatomical structures to create the form of a single- or multi-cell organism. Morphogenesis provides form changes of a part, parts, or the whole organism.
D012038	Regeneration	The physiological renewal, repair, or replacement of tissue.	Endogenous Regeneration,Regeneration, Endogenous,Regenerations
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002642	Chick Embryo	The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching.	Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D005121	Extremities	The farthest or outermost projections of the body, such as the HAND and FOOT.	Limbs,Extremity,Limb
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014714	Vertebrates	Animals having a vertebral column, members of the phylum Chordata, subphylum Craniata comprising mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.	Vertebrate
D014921	Wings, Animal	Movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which certain animals such as birds, bats, or insects are able to fly.	Animal Wing,Animal Wings,Wing, Animal