FGF-2

Apical Ectodermal Ridge Growth Signal for Chick Limb Development

J. F. Fallon, M. P. Savage, B. K. Simandl, Anatomy Department, University of Wisconsin, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.A. Lopez, Anatomy Department and Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.M. A. Ros, Departamento de Anatomia y Biologia Celular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.B. B. Olwin, Biochemistry Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.

Science 264(5155):p 104-107, April 1, 1994.

The apical ectodermal ridge permits growth and elongation of amniote limb buds; removal causes rapid changes in mesodermal gene expression, patterned cell death, and truncation of the limb.Ectopic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 supplied to the chick apical bud mesoderm after ridge removal will sustain normal gene expression and cell viability, and allow relatively normal limb development. A bioassay for FGFs demonstrated that FGF-2 was the only detectable FGF in chick limb bud extracts. By distribution and bioactivity, FGF-2 is the prime candidate for the chick limb bud apical ridge growth signal.