Embryonic asymmetry: left TGFbeta at the right time?

Curr Biol. 1997 Apr 1;7(4):R212-5. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(06)00103-5.

Abstract

Vertebrates have consistent differences between their left and right sides. In all species, nodal, a transforming growth factor beta superfamily signalling protein, is involved in a late step in the pathways that specify such asymmetry in the embryo. Earlier components seem not so well conserved.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • Embryonic Induction*
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development*
  • Functional Laterality
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Mesoderm / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Models, Biological
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology
  • Vertebrates / embryology*
  • Xenopus / metabolism

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta