WBR0332

Author	[[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]]
Exam Type	ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category	MainCategory::Genetics
Sub Category	SubCategory::Reproductive
Prompt	[[Prompt::In an experiment, a researcher removes the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) from the limbs of chicks and finds that only the proximal skeletal segment develops with complete absence of the middle and the distal segments. The researcher then applies beads soaked in recombinant proteins at the tip of the chick limbs that are missing AERs and finds that normal limb development occurs. Protein expressed by which gene is most likely present in the recombinant-soaked beads?]]
Answer A	AnswerA::FGF
Answer A Explanation	AnswerAExp::FGF is produced at the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). It induces mitosis of the mesoderm and allows for limb lengthening.
Answer B	AnswerB::Sonic hedgehog
Answer B Explanation	AnswerBExp::Sonic hedgehog gene is produced at the base of the limbs. It is involved in CNC development.
Answer C	AnswerC::Wnt-7
Answer C Explanation	AnswerCExp::Wnt-7 gene is produced at apical ectodermal ridge (AER). It is involved in the organization along dorso-ventral axis.
Answer D	AnswerD::Homeobos (Hox)
Answer D Explanation	AnswerDExp::Hox gene is involved in segmental organization along the cranio-caudal direction.
Answer E	AnswerE::SRY
Answer E Explanation	AnswerEExp::SRY gene is located on the Y chromosome. It is involved in the production of testis-determining factor.
Right Answer	RightAnswer::A
Explanation	[[Explanation::FGF gene is important embryologically for the induction of mitosis of the mesoderm and for the lengthening of the limbs. It is produced by the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). In this experiment, the AER is lost. Consequently, the FGF protein produced by the FGF gene will no longer be present to induce the lengthening of the chick limbs. The chick limbs thus only developed the proximal segment but had misising middle and distal segments. When beads soaked in recombinant FGF protein are introduced to the tip of the limbs that are missing AER, FGF will be present and limb development will occur normally. Educational Objective: FGF gene is located at the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and is responsible for the lengthening of limbs. Reference: Sun X, Mariani FV, Martin GR. Functions of FGF signaling from the apical ectodermal ridge in limb development. Nature. 2002; 418:501-8 Educational Objective: References: ]]
Approved	Approved::No
Keyword	WBRKeyword::embryogenesis, WBRKeyword::FGF, WBRKeyword::gene, WBRKeyword::protein, WBRKeyword::apical, WBRKeyword::ectodermal, WBRKeyword::ridge, WBRKeyword::AER, WBRKeyword::limb, WBRKeyword::length, WBRKeyword::lengthening, WBRKeyword::mesoderm, WBRKeyword::mitosis, WBRKeyword::bead, WBRKeyword::soak, WBRKeyword::soaked, WBRKeyword::recombinant
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