Stowers investigators discover how an unusual interplay of
signaling pathways shapes a critical eye structure
A small ensemble of musicians can produce an infinite number
of melodies, harmonies and rhythms. So too, do a handful of workhorse signaling
pathways that interact to construct multiple structures that comprise the
vertebrate body. In fact, crosstalk between two of those pathways—those
governed by proteins known as Notch and BMP (for Bone Morphogenetic Protein)
receptors—occurs over and over in processes as diverse as forming a tooth,
sculpting a heart valve and building a brain.