Shox ChIp-seq in chicken micromass cell cultures

The short stature homeobox gene SHOX encodes a transcription factor which is important for normal limb development. In humans, SHOX deficiency has been associated with various short stature syndromes including Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, Langer mesomelic dysplasia and Turner syndrome as well as non-syndromic idiopathic short stature. A common feature of these syndromes is a disproportionate short stature with a particular shortening of the bones of the zeugopod. In our studies employing microarray analyses and cell culture experiments, we revealed a strong positive effect of SHOX on the expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor gene FGFR3, another well-known factor for limb development.