Mechanism of four-chambered heart formation in the vertebrates

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In vertebrates the heart morphology is varied from fish to mammals relating their life style. This fact is well known, but the molecular mechanism that provides such differences between four-chambered animals and non-four-chambered animals is unclear. Non-crocodilian reptiles hold a unique place in the evolution of the heart, as their ventricular chambers are apparent intermediates between three-chambered heart and four-chambered heart. We studied Tbx5 expression pattern in the reptiles and found that a steep and correctly positioned Tbx5 gradient is important for ventricular septum formation. This findings generally support the concept that altered expression of developmental regulators is an important aspect of morphological evolution.