In vitro characterization of the human segmentation clock.

ABSTRACT: The segmental organization of the vertebral column is established early in embryogenesis, when pairs of somites are rhythmically produced by the presomitic mesoderm (PSM). The tempo of somite formation is controlled by a molecular oscillator known as the segmentation clock^1,2. Although this oscillator has been well-characterized in model organisms^1,2, whether a similar oscillator exists in humans remains unknown. Genetic analyses of patients with severe spine segmentation defects have implicated several human orthologues of cyclic genes that are associated with the mouse segmentation clock, suggesting that this oscillator might be conserved in humans³. Here we show that human PSM cells derived in vitro-as well as those of the mouse⁴-recapitulate

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Cuadros M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7336868 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature