[PDF][PDF] FGF-regulated Etv genes are essential for repressing Shh expression in mouse limb buds

Z Zhang, JM Verheyden, JA Hassell, X Sun - Developmental cell, 2009 - cell.com
Z Zhang, JM Verheyden, JA Hassell, X Sun
Developmental cell, 2009cell.com
Anterior-posterior (AP) patterning of the vertebrate limb is controlled by sonic hedgehog
(SHH) signaling, and the precise restriction of Shh expression to the posterior limb bud is
essential for its polarizing effect. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, a key control of
proximal-distal (PD) limb outgrowth, is known to promote Shh expression in the posterior
limb bud. Here, we show that conditional knockout of the FGF-activated transcription factor
genes Etv4 and Etv5 in mouse led to ectopic Shh expression in the anterior limb bud and a …
Summary
Anterior-posterior (A-P) patterning of the vertebrate limb is controlled by sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, and the precise restriction of Shh expression to the posterior limb bud is essential for its polarizing effect. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, a key control of proximal-distal (P-D) limb outgrowth, is known to promote Shh expression in the posterior limb bud. Here, we show that conditional knockout of the FGF-activated transcription factor genes Etv4 and Etv5 in mouse led to ectopic Shh expression in the anterior limb bud and a preaxial polydactyly (PPD) skeletal phenotype. These unexpected results suggest that ETV4 and ETV5 act downstream of FGF signaling to inhibit Shh expression in the anterior limb bud. This finding elucidates a novel aspect of the mechanism coordinating limb development along the A-P and P-D axes.
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