The proteins of the sevenless pathway are seen not only in ommatidial development, but in vertebrate eye development as well. This appears to be a remarkably conserved pathway for photoreceptor differentiation. 6.6 FGFR mutations. Mutations of the human FGF receptors have been associated with several skeletal malformation syndromes, including syndromes wherein skull cartilage, rib cartilage, or limb cartilage fails to grow or differentiate. The uses of apoptosis.
Apoptosis is used for numerous processes throughout development.
This website explores the role of apoptosis in such phenomena as Drosophila germ cell development and the eyes of blind cave fish. 6.8 Notch mutations. Mutations in Notch proteins can cause nervous system abnormalities in humans. Humans have more than one Notch gene and more than one ligand. Their interactions may be critical in neural development.