Moved to grow

26 March 2009

The normal development of an embryo’s bones requires the action of muscles. Now, scientists in Dublin have used a novel method to identify two genes that are involved, Collagen X (ColX) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh). The results show that ColX and Ihh expression is altered when muscle movement is reduced, implicating them in the regulation of bone growth through movement in the embryo.

Reference

Nowlan NC et al. Identification of mechanosensitive genes during embryonic bone formation.