Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The defining characteristic of all vertebrates is a spine composed of a regular sequence of vertebrae. In humans, congenital spinal defects occur with an incidence of 0.5-1 per 1,000 live births and arise when the formation of vertebral precursors in the embryo is disrupted. These precursors (somites) form in a process (somitogenesis) in which each somite is progressively separated from an unsegmented precursor tissue. In the past decade the underlying genetic mechanisms driving this complex process have been dissected using animal models, revealing that it requires the coordinated action of at least 300 genes. Deletion of many of these genes in the mouse produces phenotypes with similar vertebral defects to those observed in human congenital abnormalities. This review highlights the role that such mouse models have played in the identification of the genetic causes of the malsegmentation syndrome spondylocostal dysostosis.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00335-011-9335-5

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mamm Genome

Publication Date

08/2011

Volume

22

Pages

362 - 376

Keywords

Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Humans, Mice, Spinal Diseases