Putting in the Erk: Growth factor signaling and mesoderm morphogenesis. Author Sarah McFann, Stanislav Shvartsman, Jared Toettcher Publication Year 2022 Type Journal Article Abstract It has long been known that FGF signaling contributes to mesoderm formation, a germ layer found in triploblasts that is composed of highly migratory cells that give rise to muscles and to the skeletal structures of vertebrates. FGF signaling activates several pathways in the developing mesoderm, including transient activation of the Erk pathway, which triggers mesodermal fate specification through the induction of the gene brachyury and activates morphogenetic programs that allow mesodermal cells to position themselves in the embryo. In this review, we discuss what is known about the generation and interpretation of transient Erk signaling in mesodermal tissues across species. We focus specifically on mechanisms that translate the level and duration of Erk signaling into cell fate and cell movement instructions and discuss strategies for further interrogating the role that Erk signaling dynamics play in mesodermal gastrulation and morphogenesis. Keywords Animals, Morphogenesis, Signal Transduction, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Gastrulation, Mesoderm Journal Curr Top Dev Biol Volume 149 Pages 263-310 Date Published 2022 ISSN Number 1557-8933 DOI 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.02.007 Alternate Journal Curr Top Dev Biol PMID 35606058 PubMedGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML