ISSN:
0265-9247
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The development of the vertebrate skeleton is under complex genetic control, and good progress is being made towards identifying the genes responsible. A recent paper(1) contributes to this progress by describing transgenic mice in which the homeobox-containing MHox gene has been disrupted. MHox(-/-) mice have a range of skeletal defects, involving loss or shortening of structures in the skull, face and limb. Puzzling features of the MHox(-/-) mutation, which has similar effects on bones with very different embryological origins and yet spares other bones completely, may hold clues to the mechanisms that shape the skeleton. MHox(-/-) mice, used in conjunction with other skeletal mutants, will be important tools for exploring these mechanisms further.
Additional Material:
1 Tab.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bies.950170903
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