Cellular basis of limb morphogenesis

Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2022 Apr:50:100887. doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100887. Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Abstract

How the size and shape of developing tissues is encoded in the genome has been a longstanding riddle for biologists. Constituent cells integrate several genetic and mechanical signals to decide whether to divide, die, change shape or position. We review here how morphogenetic cell behaviors contribute to leg formation from imaginal disc epithelia in the insect Drosophila melanogaster, as well as to direct embryonic limb outgrowths in the non-insect pancrustacean Parhyale hawaiensis. Considering the deep conservation of developmental programs for limb patterning among arthropods and other bilaterians, moving forward, it will be exciting to see how these genetic similarities reflect at the cellular and tissue mechanics level.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropods*
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / genetics
  • Extremities
  • Imaginal Discs
  • Morphogenesis