Dorsoventral patterning in the evolution of paired appendages: significance of Lmx1b regulation

The developing limb is one of the main model systems to study biological pattern formation and evolutionary adaptation. Of particular importance is the establishment of dorso-ventral patterning (DV) as it gives rise to crucial DV asymmetries in the skeletal elements, nerves and vessels that enable the appendages to serve crucial functions such as stable locomotion on land and detailed manipulation.