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Left-right asymmetry determination in vertebrates.

M Mercola¹, M Levin

¹Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. mmercola@hms.harvard.edu

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology

|November 1, 2001

Summary

Vertebrate organ asymmetry, a consistent biological pattern, is determined by molecular mechanisms. This study explores the genetic and protein-based steps involved in establishing left-right body patterning and organ development.

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Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Genetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Vertebrates exhibit consistent left-right asymmetry in organs and the central nervous system.
The mechanisms underlying this stereotypic asymmetry have been a long-standing biological question.
Normal individuals can possess mirror-image anatomy, highlighting the complexity of asymmetry determination.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the molecular biology of left-right asymmetry determination in vertebrates.
To elucidate the key steps involved in establishing consistent body patterning.
To understand how genetic and protein interactions influence organ development.

Main Methods:

Review of molecular mechanisms.
Analysis of gene and protein functions in symmetry breaking.

Related Experiment Videos

Examination of pattern propagation and reinforcement pathways.

Investigation of asymmetric organ morphogenesis.

Main Results:

Left-right asymmetry is established through a multi-step molecular process.
Specific genes and proteins are crucial for breaking bilateral symmetry.
Mechanisms for pattern propagation and reinforcement have been identified.
The translation of developmental patterns into asymmetric organ formation is mediated by molecular signals.

Conclusions:

The molecular basis of vertebrate left-right asymmetry is increasingly understood.
Specific genetic and protein interactions orchestrate the precise development of asymmetric organs.
Further research into these pathways can illuminate developmental processes and potential abnormalities.