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Fingers, Knees, Toes
19 January 2017

Fingers, Knees, Toes

“Head, shoulders, knees and toes” as the nursery rhyme goes. These two mouse embryos have been genetically engineered to carry markers revealing the locations in the body where a gene called Growth and differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) is switched on (highlighted in blue). It’s involved in making joints and is turned on by a number of different genetic control switches near the gene. Each of them specifically activates Gdf5 in joints in the head, spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, fingers and toes. The same switches are also present near the human version of Gdf5, and are located in a region of our genome that has been linked to an increased risk of developing arthritis (joint disease) in adults. Figuring out how changes in these control switches lead to joint problems – either during development in the womb or later in life – could lead to more targeted treatments in the future.

Written by Kat Arney

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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