Coordinated events: FGF signaling and other related pathways in palatogenesis

Alison K Snyder-Warwick1, Chad A Perlyn

  • 1Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.

Insights

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for palate development. This review explores how FGF signaling and its mediators impact palatogenesis, offering insights into cleft palate anomalies.

Area of Science:

  • Craniofacial development
  • Molecular biology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Cleft palate is a frequent congenital condition with significant healthcare costs.
  • Understanding palatogenesis is key to addressing cleft palate.
  • Molecular signaling pathways, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, are vital for normal palate formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in palatogenesis.
  • To identify key signaling mediators influencing FGF pathways during palate development.
  • To enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cleft palate.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on FGF signaling and palatogenesis.
  • Analysis of molecular mediators involved in FGF pathways.
  • Examination of FGF signaling's role across different stages of palate development.

Main Results:

  • FGF signaling is a critical pathway in palatogenesis.
  • Specific FGF signaling mediators significantly influence palate development.
  • Disruptions in FGF signaling are linked to the occurrence of cleft palate.

Conclusions:

  • FGF signaling pathways are essential for normal palate formation.
  • Targeting FGF signaling mediators may offer therapeutic strategies for cleft palate.
  • Further research into FGF signaling is needed to fully elucidate cleft palate etiology.

Related Concept Videos

TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways01:41

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways

Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...