In: Biology
Which of the following genes is responsible for direct suppression of BMP during limb growth?
Group of answer choices
a, Wnt3a
b. Fgf10
c. Fgf8
d. Shh
e. Gremlin
Answer: c. Fgf8
Explaination:
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of proteins proteins that promote the formation of bone and the skeleton and help in healing of broken bones. BMP signaling is very important for limb development. The early inhibition of BMP signqling leads to the formation of distally truncated limbs, whereas later inhibition causes polydactyly and increased number of digits. The apical ectodermal ridge (AER), a structure formed at the distal intersection of the dorsal and ventral ectoderm, expresses four FGF genes (Fgf4, Fgf8, Fgf9, Fgf17). Among these three genes are redundant but Fgf8 is the most important, as it is widely expressed and can maintain relatively normal limb development even in the absence of the other three genes. AER and FGF genes are involved in promoting distal fates as well as in mediating several processes during limb development.
Thus the answer is “c. Fgf8” gene is responsible for direct suppression of BMP during limb growth.