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Drm/Gremlin, a BMP antagonist, defines the interbud region during feather development
Boris Bardot1, Laure Lecoin, Ingrid Fliniaux
1Régulations Cellulaires et Oncogenèse, UMR146 du CNRS, Institut Curie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay and LEDAC, UMR 5538 du CNRS, Institut A. Bonniot, Université. J. Fourier, Grenoble, France.
The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|July 24, 2004
Summary
Feather bud spacing is regulated by the balance between BMPs and their antagonist, Drm/Gremlin. This interaction controls feather pattern formation by modulating lateral inhibition during embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell signaling
- Morphogenesis
Background:
- Feather pattern formation is regulated by lateral inhibition.
- Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonists play roles in developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the role of Drm/Gremlin, a BMP antagonist, in feather pattern formation.
- To investigate the feedback loop between BMPs and Drm/Gremlin during feather development.
Main Methods:
- Retroviral vectors were used to alter Drm activity in embryonic chick skin.
- Expression of endogenous Drm and BMPs was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Endogenous Drm expression is regulated by a BMP-induced feedback loop.
- Overexpression of Drm leads to the fusion of adjacent feather buds.
- BMPs induce Drm expression in the interbud dermis, which then limits BMPs' inhibitory effects.
Conclusions:
- The balance between BMPs and Drm/Gremlin is crucial for regulating feather bud size and spacing.
- Drm/Gremlin acts as a key modulator in the BMP signaling pathway during feather pattern formation.