Multilayered ectodermal region at the distal tip of a limb or fin bud necessary for the proper development of the underlying mesenchyme[MP,modified]. Along with the zone of polarizing activity, it is a crucial organizing region during limb development[WP]. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apical_ectodermal_ridge MP:0001676 ]
Synonyms: apical epidermal ridge
Term information
- TAO:0002146
- EMAPA:32744
- AAO:0010760
- NCIT:C34109
- Wikipedia:Apical_ectodermal_ridge
- UMLS:C1516037 (ncithesaurus:Apical_Ectodermal_Ridge)
- ZFA:0001702
- XAO:0004121
pheno_slim
Distal ectodermal thickening which forms along the anterior-posterior limb axis. Signaling from this region influences proximal-distal patterning of the limb. Structure is missing in some lineages (salamanders, Eleutherodactylus coqui) however morphologically their indistinct distal ectoderm may still be involved in signaling.[AAO]
Proliferative region that is part of the developing fin fold or fin.[TAO]
The AER of tetrapods regresses after specification of skeletal progenitors, the AER of teleosts form an elongating fin fold
maintaining mesenchyme in plastic proliferating state; maintaining expression of A-P axis genes; interacting with D-V proteins. Genes: AER induced by Fgf10 in mesenchyme. AER secretes Fgf8, which stimulates mitosis in the mesenchyme causing Fgf10 production - positive feedback loop
Term relations
- connected anatomical structure
- embryonic structure
- part of some paired limb/fin bud
- capable of some negative regulation of cartilage development
- part of some ectoderm
- developmentally induced by some mesenchyme
- capable of some regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation
- produces some fibroblast growth factor 8