Function of Rieger syndrome gene in left-right asymmetry and craniofacial development
Article Abstract:
Research into Rieger syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder, has involved using gene targeting in mice to produce a loss-of-function allele that would be forecast to result in organ randomization or isomerization. Pitx2-/- embryos had abnormal cardiac morphogenesis, but mutant hearts were found to loop in the normal direction. Loss of pitx2 function was found to lead to right pulmonary isomerization. This supports previous suggestions that pitx2 provides leftness to the pulmonary primordia. It is possible that pitx2 regulates local cell signalling during asymmetric morphogenesis.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The origin of spinifex texture in komatiites
Article Abstract:
Many komatiites occured as subaqueous lava flows, and their spinifex texture is a characteristic feature. Evidence is provided that this texture developed due to large thermal gradients, together with conductive and radiative heat transfer in olivine crystals. This is often associated with high-temperature techniques used to grow synthetic crystals, but is not often considered in geological contexts.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Evolution of genetic mechanisms controlling petal development. A plant cold-induced uncoupling protein
- Abstracts: Influence of socioeconomic inertia and uncertainty on optimal CO2-emission abatement. Turbulence without inertia
- Abstracts: Wing upstroke and the evolution of flapping flight. Impact energy measurement in time-of-flight mass spectrometry with cryogenic microcalorimeters
- Abstracts: Duration of the superwind phase of asymptotic giant branch stars. Giant magnetoresistance in Tl2Mn2O7 with the pyrochlore structure
- Abstracts: Leg autotomy in a spider has minimal costs in competitive ability and development. Social and environmental factors modulate the learning of pine-cone stripping techniques by black rats, Rattus rattus