The research group led by Associate Professor Masayoshi Tokita (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science) explored the molecular basis generating the diversity of amniote skull morphology, using embryos of several amniote species as materials. The study suggests that the diversity of amniote skull morphology may be brought about by spatiotemporal differences in the expression of three osteogenic genes Msx2, Runx2, and Sp7. The finding provides a basis for understanding how skull morphology has diversified in amniotes, the first vertebrate lineage fully move to land, including human. Furthermore, the finding may provide hints for the development of treatments for congenital diseases that cause abnormalities in human skull morphology. The finding of this research was reported by the American scientific journal Science Advances on November 15, 2023.
Key Points:
Science Advances
Experimental study
Animals
Turtle skull development unveils a molecular basis for amniote cranial diversity
15-Nov-2023
Authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.