Expression of the insulin like growth factor II gene in the developing chick limb

Abstract

We have examined the expression of the insulin like growth factor II gene in the developing chick embryo. It was found that IGF II transcripts were present in abundant quantities in the eye and the heart as well as in the limb bud in the 4 day old chick embryo. A detailed analysis of the limb bud revealed that IGF II transcripts could be detected in the anterior and the posterior regions indicating that this gene is activated in segments covering the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) as well as in neighbouring tissue.