We are examining how different signal transduction pathways modulate this regulation. We are investigating the function and regulation of enhancers that control MyoD transcription. We are interested in how transcriptional regulation is coupled to cell cycle control and have inactivated Rb-family members genes by gene targeting to investigate the roles of Rb, p107 and p130 in development. MyoD or Myf-5 is required for the formation of skeletal muscle. MyoD is required for myogenic stem cell function in adult skeletal muscle.
Myogenic determination occurs independently in somites and limb buds.