Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1999-7-19
pubmed:abstractText
The bones that comprise the axial skeleton have distinct morphological features characteristic of their positions along the anterior/posterior axis. We previously described a novel TGF-beta family member, myostatin (encoded by the gene Mstn, formerly Gdf8), that has an essential role in regulating skeletal muscle mass. We also identified a gene related to Mstn by low-stringency screening. While the work described here was being completed, the cloning of this gene, designated Gdf11 (also called Bmp11), was also reported by other groups. Here we show that Gdf11, a new transforming growth factor beta(TGFbeta) superfamily member, has an important role in establishing this skeletal pattern. During early mouse embryogenesis, Gdf11 is expressed in the primitive streak and tail bud regions, which are sites where new mesodermal cells are generated. Homozygous mutant mice carrying a targeted deletion of Gdf11 exhibit anteriorly directed homeotic transformations throughout the axial skeleton and posterior displacement of the hindlimbs. The effect of the mutation is dose dependent, as Gdf11+/- mice have a milder phenotype than Gdf11-/- mice. Mutant embryos show alterations in patterns of Hox gene expression, suggesting that Gdf11 acts upstream of the Hox genes. Our findings suggest that Gdf11 is a secreted signal that acts globally to specify positional identity along the anterior/posterior axis.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
1061-4036
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
22
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
260-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1999
pubmed:articleTitle
Regulation of anterior/posterior patterning of the axial skeleton by growth/differentiation factor 11.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't