Development 130, e1501 (2003)
Copyright © 2003 The Company of Biologists Limited
Inner ear induction by FGFs
Ectodermal otic placode (OP) development, which gives rise to the inner
ear, is believed to be directed by signals, such as the FGFs, that emanate
from the mesenchyme and neuroectoderm that lie underneath and adjacent to this
tissue, respectively. However, whether FGFs signal directly to the prospective
placode or are required for hindbrain-expressed OP inducers has remained
unclear. Wright and Mansour now shed light on this question with their study
of OP induction in Fgf3/Fgf10 double knockout mice (see
p. 3379). These mice
lack otic vesicles and show aberrant patterns of OP marker-gene expression,
but have normal hindbrain expression patterns. The authors conclude that FGF3
and FGF10 signals from the neuroectoderm and mesenchyme, respectively, act
directly on the ectoderm to bring about OP gene expression. Notably, FGF
signalling was not required for ectodermal proliferation or survival.
Related articles in Development:
- Fgf3 and Fgf10 are required for mouse otic placode induction
- Tracy J. Wright and Suzanne L. Mansour
Development 2003 130: 3379-3390.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]