Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pedigree Analysis

Pedigree Analysis

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction

During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...

Teratogenicity

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A proactive technique for reversal of Hartmann's procedure: lifting the rectal stump to the abdominal wall.

Techniques in coloproctology·2025

Same author

Radiological features of long bones in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome and their correlation with pathological findings.

Modern rheumatology·2014

Same author

Production of shikonin derivatives by cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon : I. Effects of nitrogen sources on the production of shikonin derivatives.

Plant cell reports·2013

Same author

Erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 erythroleukemic cells by monochloramine.

Free radical research·2013

Same author

Selective adsorption of bilirubin against albumin to oxidized single-wall carbon nanohorns.

Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces·2013

Same author

Phase I trial of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 (TPS) in patients with locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2010

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Published on: November 6, 2014

Teratogenic relationship between polydactyly, syndactyly and cleft hand.

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan.

Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)

|May 1, 1990

Summary

Polydactyly, syndactyly, and cleft hand may stem from a single teratogenic cause. Animal studies confirm these congenital hand anomalies share a common developmental origin and critical exposure period.

More Related Videos

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations

Published on: December 1, 2017

Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: September 8, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Published on: November 6, 2014

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations

A Novel Strategy Combining Array-CGH, Whole-exome Sequencing and In Utero Electroporation in Rodents to Identify Causative Genes for Brain Malformations

Published on: December 1, 2017

Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: September 8, 2023

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Clinical teratology
Orthopedic surgery

Background:

Polydactyly, syndactyly, and cleft hand are congenital hand anomalies.
Previous research suggests a potential common teratogenic mechanism underlying these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the hypothesis that polydactyly, syndactyly, and cleft hand arise from a common teratogenic mechanism.
To analyze the similarities between advanced cases of polydactyly/syndactyly and cleft hand.

Main Methods:

Analysis of 75 human hands with polydactyly, syndactyly, or cleft hand.
Induction of similar deformities in rat fetuses using myleran.
Comparison of clinical features and critical developmental periods between human and rat models.

Main Results:

Advanced polydactyly and syndactyly cases exhibited features identical to typical cleft hand.
Myleran-induced deformities in rat fetuses mirrored the clinical presentation of human cases.
The critical developmental periods for anomaly induction were consistent across species.

Conclusions:

The findings support a common teratogenic origin for polydactyly, syndactyly, and cleft hand.
These anomalies likely result from the same teratogenic factor acting during a specific embryonic developmental window.
Congenital hand anomalies should be considered a single teratogenic entity.