BMP signaling and early embryonic patterning

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play pleiotropic roles during embryonic development as well as throughout life. Recent genetic approaches especially using the mouse gene knockout system revealed that BMP signaling is greatly involved in early embryonic patterning, which is a dynamic event to establish three-dimensional polarities. The purpose of this review is to describe the diverse function of BMPs through different receptor signaling systems during embryonic patterning including gastrulation and establishment of the left-right asymmetry. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.