[Signaling molecules involved in induction and early patterning of limb buds]

Soluble signaling factors are involved in morphogenetic events during vertebrate limb development. They belong to the Hedgehog family, the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family and the Wnt family. FGF-8 and FGF-10 play central roles to specify the limb field and promote initial outgrowth. In the established limb bud, FGF-4, FGF-8 and BMP-2 are secreted in the apical ectodermal ridge and control proximal-distal pattern formation. In the zone of polarizing activity Sonic hedgehog is produced and pattern along the anterior-posterior axis. Members of the BMP family may be the secondary signals in this patterning. Wnt-7a from the dorsal ectoderm dorsalizes limb mesenchyme and controls dorsal-ventral patterning. These factors expressed in the signaling centers in limb buds influence gene expression each other and coordinate limb morphogenesis.