Biomaterial Database

Growing models of vertebrate limb development. 2009

Matthew Towers, and Cheryll Tickle

Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

The developing limb has been a very influential system for studying pattern formation in vertebrates. In the past, classical embryological models have explained how patterned structures are generated along the two principal axes of the limb: the proximodistal (shoulder to finger) and anteroposterior (thumb to little finger) axes. Over time, the genetic and molecular attributes of these patterning models have been discovered, while the role of growth in the patterning process has been only recently highlighted. In this review, we discuss these recent findings and propose how the various models of limb patterning can be reconciled.

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
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
D018507	Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action during the developmental stages of an organism.	Developmental Gene Expression Regulation,Embryologic Gene Expression Regulation,Gene Expression Regulation, Embryologic,Regulation of Gene Expression, Developmental,Regulation of Gene Expression, Embryologic,Regulation, Gene Expression, Developmental,Regulation, Gene Expression, Embryologic
D019521	Body Patterning	The processes occurring in early development that direct morphogenesis. They specify the body plan ensuring that cells will proceed to differentiate, grow, and diversify in size and shape at the correct relative positions. Included are axial patterning, segmentation, compartment specification, limb position, organ boundary patterning, blood vessel patterning, etc.	Axial Patterning (Embryology),Embryonic Pattern Formation,Polarity of Development,Body Pattern Formation,Body Pattern Specification,Embryonic Pattern Specification,Development Polarity,Embryonic Pattern Formations,Formation, Embryonic Pattern,Pattern Formation, Body,Pattern Formation, Embryonic,Pattern Specification, Body,Pattern Specification, Embryonic,Patterning, Axial (Embryology),Patterning, Body,Specification, Body Pattern,Specification, Embryonic Pattern