Development, Regeneration, and Evolution of Feathers

Overview

Journal Annu Rev Anim Biosci

Publisher Annual Reviews

Specialties Biology
Genetics
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2014 Nov 12

PMID 25387232

Citations 68

Authors

Chih-Feng Chen

John Foley

Pin-Chi Tang

Ang Li

Ting Xin Jiang

Ping Wu

Randall B Widelitz

Cheng Ming Chuong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The feather is a complex ectodermal organ with hierarchical branching patterns. It provides functions in endothermy, communication, and flight. Studies of feather growth, cycling, and health are of fundamental importance to avian biology and poultry science. In addition, feathers are an excellent model for morphogenesis studies because of their accessibility, and their distinct patterns can be used to assay the roles of specific molecular pathways. Here we review the progress in aspects of development, regeneration, and evolution during the past three decades. We cover the development of feather buds in chicken embryos, regenerative cycling of feather follicle stem cells, formation of barb branching patterns, emergence of intrafeather pigmentation patterns, interplay of hormones and feather growth, and the genetic identification of several feather variants. The discovery of feathered dinosaurs redefines the relationship between feathers and birds. Inspiration from biomaterials and flight research further fuels biomimetic potential of feathers as a multidisciplinary research focal point.

Citing Articles

Skin Appendage Proteins of Tetrapods: Building Blocks of Claws, Feathers, Hair and Other Cornified Epithelial Structures.

Holthaus K, Steinbinder J, Sachslehner A, Eckhart L Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(3).

PMID: 39943227 PMC: 11816140. DOI: 10.3390/ani15030457.

Melanin and Neurotransmitter Signalling Genes Are Differentially Co-Expressed in Growing Feathers of White and Rufous Barn Owls.

Ducrest A, San-Jose L, Neuenschwander S, Schmid-Siegert E, Simon C, Pagni M Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2025; 38(2):e70001.

PMID: 39910963 PMC: 11799826. DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.70001.

Convergent Evolution Has Led to the Loss of Claw Proteins in Snakes and Worm Lizards.

Holthaus K, Steinbinder J, Sachslehner A, Eckhart L Genome Biol Evol. 2024; 17(1).

PMID: 39696999 PMC: 11704414. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae274.

A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots.

Arbore R, Barbosa S, Brejcha J, Ogawa Y, Liu Y, Nicolai M Science. 2024; 386(6721):eadp7710.

PMID: 39480920 PMC: 7617403. DOI: 10.1126/science.adp7710.

Modification of Keratin Integrations and the Associated Morphogenesis in Frizzling Chicken Feathers.

Wu H, Chuang T, Liao W, Chi K, Ng C, Cheng H Biology (Basel). 2024; 13(7).

PMID: 39056659 PMC: 11273737. DOI: 10.3390/biology13070464.

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