REVIEW

Cell Research (2003); 13(6):429-442

Msx homeobox gene family and craniofacial development

Sylvia ALAPPAT¹, Zun Yi ZHANG¹, Yi Ping CHEN^1,2*

¹Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New orleans, LA 70118, USA. E-mail: ychen@tulane.edu
²College of Bioengineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China

^*Correspondence:

Yi Ping CHEN

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

Tel: 504-865-5587;

Fax: 504-865-6785;

E-mail: ychen@tulane.edu

Table of Contents

Download as printable (PDF) file -20K
Full Text (html)file

Search Medline for articles by:

Yi Ping CHEN

Abstract

Vertebrate Msx genes are unlinked, homeobox-containing genes that bear homology to the Drosophila muscle segment homeobox gene. These genes are expressed at multiple sites of tissue-tissue interactions during vertebrate embryonic development. Inductive interactions mediated by the Msx genes are essential for normal craniofacial, limb and ectodermal organ morphogenesis, and are also essential to survival in mice, as manifested by the phenotypic abnormalities shown in knockout mice and in humans. This review summarizes studies on the expression, regulation, and functional analysis of Msx genes that bear relevance to craniofacial development in humans and mice.

Key words: Msx genes, craniofacial, tooth, cleft palate, suture, development, transcription factor, signaling molecule.

ISSN:1001-0602(Print),1748-7838(Online);CN:31-1568

suggested resolution 1024*768