TRANSGENIC ANALYSIS OF CARDIAC AND SKELETAL MYOGENESIS

The generation of various cell types in a developing embryo is defined by multiple steps in commitment to a specific cell lineage and by the resulting expression of a particular subset of protein products. Stud ies of the molecular mechanisms underlying commitment and differentiat ion to a striated muscle phenotype have been greatly aided by the use of transgenic animals. Recent transgenic models have provided insights into the formation of skeletal muscle. We review here the different f orms of transgenesis and their application to the delineation of cardi ac and skeletal myogenesis.