Embryonic timing, axial stem cells, chromatin dynamics, and the Hox clock

Jacqueline Deschamps, Denis Duboule

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

136 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Collinear regulation of Hox genes in space and time has been an outstanding question ever since the initial work of Ed Lewis in 1978. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of this phenomenon in relation to novel concepts associated with large-scale regulation and chromatin structure during the development of both axial and limb patterns. We further discuss how this sequential transcriptional activation marks embryonic stem cell-like axial progenitors in mammals and, consequently, how a temporal genetic system is further translated into spatial coordinates via the fate of these progenitors. In this context, we argue the benefit and necessity of implementing this unique mechanism as well as the difficulty in evolving an alternative strategy to deliver this critical positional information.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1406-1416
Number of pages11
JournalGenes and Development
Volume31
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Chromatin
  • Embryonic Development
  • Embryonic Stem Cells
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Extremities
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Homeobox
  • Genomics
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Vertebrates
  • Journal Article
  • Review

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Embryonic timing, axial stem cells, chromatin dynamics, and the Hox clock'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this