Fig. 4. Schematic representation of the signal cascade. In early stages of limb
development (stages 10 to 12), Tbx5 and Tbx4 activate the
Wnt2B/Fgf and Wnt8C/Fgf signals, respectively. Once activated, the Wnt/Fgf
cascades feedback on to Tbx5 and Tbx4 genes to establish a
tight positive regulatory loop. At later developmental stages, the Wnt and Fgf
signaling cascades interact to make a positive feedback loop and maintain
outgrowth of limb buds. During later stages, Tbx5 and Tbx4
exert distinct actions to make different limb structures: wing and leg,
respectively.