Featured
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| Open Accessβ-Catenin and FGFR2 regulate postnatal rosette-based adrenocortical morphogenesis
Multicellular rosettes are known to mediate complex cellular reorganization such as epithelial folding and branching during embryonal organogenesis. Here the authors show that rosette formation regulated by β-Catenin and FGFR2 mediate postnatal adrenal cortex zona glomerulosa morphogenesis.
- Sining Leng
- , Emanuele Pignatti
- & David T. Breault
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Article
| Open AccessThe in vivo genetic program of murine primordial lung epithelial progenitors
The identity of the earliest murine in vivo lung epithelial progenitors (marked by NKX2-1 expression) is unclear. Here, the authors use single-cell RNA sequencing to define the genetic program of these lung primordial progenitors, which will improve in vitro lung specification of pluripotent stem cells.
- Laertis Ikonomou
- , Michael J. Herriges
- & Darrell N. Kotton
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Article
| Open AccessTissue mechanics drives regeneration of a mucociliated epidermis on the surface of Xenopus embryonic aggregates
The role of tissue mechanics in the regeneration of mucociliated epithelium in Xenopus is unclear. Here, the authors show that Xenopus ectoderm aggregates undergo epithelial-like phenotypic transition prior to differentiation of mucus-secreting goblet cells to enable regeneration.
- Hye Young Kim
- , Timothy R. Jackson
- & Lance A. Davidson
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-scale imaging and analysis identify pan-embryo cell dynamics of germlayer formation in zebrafish
The precise cell dynamics of early development have not yet been visualized. Here, the authors use custom 4-lens light sheet microscopy to image and analyze the dynamics of all three fluorescently labeled germlayers, yielding a comprehensive, pan-embryo description of early zebrafish gastrulation.
- Gopi Shah
- , Konstantin Thierbach
- & Jan Huisken
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Article
| Open AccessCell competition corrects noisy Wnt morphogen gradients to achieve robust patterning in the zebrafish embryo
Gradients of morphogens such as Wnt provide instructive cues for cell identities during development. Here, the authors report that in the developing zebrafish embryo, cell competition and elimination of unfit cells are required for proper Wnt gradient formation.
- Yuki Akieda
- , Shohei Ogamino
- & Tohru Ishitani
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| Open AccessEmbryonic mesothelial-derived hepatic lineage of quiescent and heterogenous scar-orchestrating cells defined but suppressed by WT1
Activated hepatic stellate cells of putative mesodermal origin orchestrate scarring during injury. Here, the authors define a discrete morphologically plastic lineage of embryonic mesothelial-derived scar-orchestrating cells, through a distinct quiescent adult precursor, defined and paradoxically inhibited by WT1.
- Timothy James Kendall
- , Catherine Mary Duff
- & Nicholas Dixon Hastie
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Article
| Open AccessBiomechanical signaling within the developing zebrafish heart attunes endocardial growth to myocardial chamber dimensions
It is unknown how endocardium growth is coordinated with that of the myocardium in the zebrafish. Here, the authors show that myocardial chamber volume expansion causes increased endocardial tissue tension, which in turn triggers Hippo signaling-mediated proliferation within the endocardium.
- Dorothee Bornhorst
- , Peng Xia
- & Salim Abdelilah-Seyfried
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Article
| Open AccessPCP and Wnt pathway components act in parallel during zebrafish mechanosensory hair cell orientation
Planar cell polarity (PCP) regulates hair cell orientation in the zebrafish lateral line. Here, the authors show that mutating Wnt pathway genes (wnt11f1, fzd7a/b, and gpc4) causes concentric hair cell patterns not regulated by PCP, thus showing PCP/Wnt pathway genes have different consequences on hair cell orientation.
- Joaquin Navajas Acedo
- , Matthew G. Voas
- & Tatjana Piotrowski
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Article
| Open AccessA conserved regulatory program initiates lateral plate mesoderm emergence across chordates
Numerous tissues are derived from the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) but how this is specified is unclear. Here, the authors identify a pan-LPM reporter activity found in the zebrafish draculin (drl) gene that also shows transgenic activity in LPM-corresponding territories of several chordates, including chicken, axolotl, lamprey, Ciona, and amphioxus.
- Karin D. Prummel
- , Christopher Hess
- & Christian Mosimann
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Article
| Open AccessMorphogenesis of extra-embryonic tissues directs the remodelling of the mouse embryo at implantation
How the shape of the pre-implantation murine embryo changes dramatically upon implantation is unclear. Here, the authors use live imaging with a cdx2-GFP reporter line in combination with loss of function experiments to demonstrate that FGF signalling mediated trophectoderm morphogenesis orchestrates this process.
- Neophytos Christodoulou
- , Antonia Weberling
- & Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
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Article
| Open AccessMaintenance of cell type-specific connectivity and circuit function requires Tao kinase
It is unclear how circuit specificity and function are maintained during organismal growth. In this study, authors show that connectivity between primary nociceptors and their downstream neurons scales with animal size and that Ste20-like kinase Tao acts as a negative regulator of synaptic growth required for maintenance of circuit specificity and connectivity.
- Federico Marcello Tenedini
- , Maria Sáez González
- & Peter Soba
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Article
| Open AccessExtracellular matrix stiffness cues junctional remodeling for 3D tissue elongation
The extracellular matrix can shape developing organs, but how external forces direct intercellular morphogenesis is unclear. Here, the authors use 3D imaging to show that elongation of the Drosophila egg chamber involves polarized cell reorientation signalled by changes in stiffness of the surrounding extracellular matrix.
- Dong-Yuan Chen
- , Justin Crest
- & David Bilder
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Article
| Open AccessMechanical impact of epithelial−mesenchymal transition on epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila
Tissue folding is a critical process during developmental morphogenesis. Here, Gracia et al. use live imaging, laser ablation and in silico modelling to demonstrate that cells entering EMT generate orthogonal forces necessary to drive mesoderm invagination in Drosophila.
- Mélanie Gracia
- , Sophie Theis
- & Magali Suzanne
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Article
| Open AccessSpinal neural tube closure depends on regulation of surface ectoderm identity and biomechanics by Grhl2
Loss or over-expression of Grainyhead-like transcription factors (Grhl) prevents closure of the neural tube but the mechanism underlying this is unclear. Here, the authors show that Grhl2 regulates murine posterior-neuropore closure via changes in the identity and biomechanics of the non-neural, surface ectoderm cells.
- Evanthia Nikolopoulou
- , Caroline S. Hirst
- & Nicholas D. E. Greene
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Article
| Open AccessSfrp3 modulates stromal–epithelial crosstalk during mammary gland development by regulating Wnt levels
The signalling pathways regulating how the mammary gland stroma interacts with the epithelia to then regulate gland development are unclear. Here, the authors identify Sfrp3 as regulating stroma communication via Wnts, on deletion, this increases ductal invasion and initiates an early pregnancy state.
- Ilenia Bernascone
- , Tamara González
- & Fernando Martín-Belmonte
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Article
| Open AccessAugmented manipulation ability in humans with six-fingered hands
Can the human brain successfully control additional body parts beyond the ones we normally possess? Here, the authors study two polydactyly individuals (with an additional finger on each hand) and show that they can carry out more complex movements, performing with only one hand tasks normally requiring two.
- C. Mehring
- , M. Akselrod
- & E. Burdet
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Article
| Open AccessWASH phosphorylation balances endosomal versus cortical actin network integrities during epithelial morphogenesis
The regulation and coordination of F-actin networks are not well understood. Here, the authors show an antagonistic relationship between endosomal F-actin assembly and cortical bundle integrity during epithelial tube maturation that is regulated by kinase and phosphatase activity modifying WASH.
- Vasilios Tsarouhas
- , Dan Liu
- & Christos Samakovlis
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Article
| Open AccessOscillatory cortical forces promote three dimensional cell intercalations that shape the murine mandibular arch
Morphogenesis of tissue sheets is well studied, but mechanisms that shape bulk tissues are unclear. Here, the authors show that mesenchymal cells intercalate in 3D to shape the mouse branchial arch, with cortical forces driving intercalations in a Wnt5a-, Yap/Taz- and Piezo1-dependent manner.
- Hirotaka Tao
- , Min Zhu
- & Sevan Hopyan
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Article
| Open AccessSec14l3 potentiates VEGFR2 signaling to regulate zebrafish vasculogenesis
The growth factor VEGF is known to regulate vasculogenesis but the downstream pathways activated are unclear. Here, the authors report that Sec14l3, a member of the PITP (phosphatidyl inositol transfer proteins) family regulates the formation of zebrafish vasculature by promoting VEGFR2 endocytic trafficking.
- Bo Gong
- , Zhihao Li
- & Shunji Jia
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Article
| Open AccessIn vivo topology converts competition for cell-matrix adhesion into directional migration
Migrating cells encounter multiple signals such as extracellular matrix (ECM) and chemokinetic factors but how these integrate in vivo is unclear. Here, the authors report that overall control of cell-ECM adhesion by Sema3A and Sdf1 can be converted into directional migration by a biased ECM network.
- Fernanda Bajanca
- , Nadège Gouignard
- & Eric Theveneau
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Article
| Open AccessWNT5A is transported via lipoprotein particles in the cerebrospinal fluid to regulate hindbrain morphogenesis
WNTs can signal over long distances but how this arises in the brain is unclear. Here, the authors show that WNT5A is secreted from the choroid plexus of the developing hindbrain (but not the telencephalon) and transported in the CSF with lipoprotein particles in order to control cerebellar morphogenesis.
- Karol Kaiser
- , Daniel Gyllborg
- & Vítězslav Bryja
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Article
| Open AccessThe Caspase-3 homolog DrICE regulates endocytic trafficking during Drosophila tracheal morphogenesis
Caspases are well-known drivers of apoptosis, although recent studies suggest potential non-apoptotic functions. Here, McSharry and Beitel show that the Drosophila executioner caspase DrICE regulates endocytic trafficking of key proteins downstream of Hippo during tracheal morphogenesis.
- Saoirse S. McSharry
- & Greg J. Beitel
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Article
| Open AccessAn evolutionarily-conserved Wnt3/β-catenin/Sp5 feedback loop restricts head organizer activity in Hydra
Hydra regenerate various body parts on amputation by activation of the appropriate organiser, but how head formation is controlled is unclear. Here, the authors identify the transcription factor Sp5 as restricting head formation, by being activated by beta-catenin and then acting as a repressor of Wnt3.
- Matthias C. Vogg
- , Leonardo Beccari
- & Brigitte Galliot
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Article
| Open AccessImage-based modeling of kidney branching morphogenesis reveals GDNF-RET based Turing-type mechanism and pattern-modulating WNT11 feedback
Many organs develop through branching morphogenesis, but whether the underlying mechanisms are shared is unknown. Here, the authors show that a ligand-receptor based Turing mechanisms, similar to that observed in lung development, likely underlies branching morphogenesis of the kidney.
- Denis Menshykau
- , Odyssé Michos
- & Dagmar Iber
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Article
| Open AccessDiscoidin-domain receptor coordinates cell-matrix adhesion and collective polarity in migratory cardiopharyngeal progenitors
In Ciona, cardiopharyngeal progenitors migrate as polarized pairs of cells between the epidermis and the endoderm. Here the authors show that the endoderm secretes a particular collagen, which promotes Discoidin domain receptor activity to control cell-matrix adhesion and collective polarity.
- Yelena Y. Bernadskaya
- , Saahil Brahmbhatt
- & Lionel Christiaen
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Article
| Open AccessCalcium oscillations coordinate feather mesenchymal cell movement by SHH dependent modulation of gap junction networks
The molecular mechanisms regulating mesenchymal cell movements are unclear. Here, the authors show in chicken feather elongation that SHH/WNT signalling establishes gap-junctions, enabling synchronized Ca2 + oscillations to emerge for and in turn coordinating directed cell migration.
- Ang Li
- , Jung-Hwa Cho
- & Cheng-Ming Chuong
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Article
| Open Access3D organoid-derived human glomeruli for personalised podocyte disease modelling and drug screening
Studies examining human podocytopathies have utilised 2D cultured primary or immortalised podocyte cell lines. Here, the authors demonstrate that 3D human glomeruli sieved from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids retain an improved podocyte identity in vitro facilitating disease modelling and toxicity testing.
- Lorna J. Hale
- , Sara E. Howden
- & Melissa H. Little
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Article
| Open AccessThe phospholipid PI(3,4)P2 is an apical identity determinant
During de novo establishment of apical-basal polarity, a basolateral membrane must be converted into an apical delivery zone. Here, the authors use MDCK 3D cysts to uncover that the phospholipid PI(3,4)P2 is an apical membrane determinant.
- Álvaro Román-Fernández
- , Julie Roignot
- & David M. Bryant
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Article
| Open AccessDistinct contributions of tensile and shear stress on E-cadherin levels during morphogenesis
The effects of mechanical forces, generated by actomyosin contractility, on E-cadherin based cell adhesion are poorly characterized in vivo. Here, the authors report that normal stress increases E-cadherin levels, whereas shear stress reduces E-Cadherin levels, in the developing Drosophila embryo.
- Girish R. Kale
- , Xingbo Yang
- & Thomas Lecuit
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Article
| Open AccessHedgehog stimulates hair follicle neogenesis by creating inductive dermis during murine skin wound healing
On wounding, scar formation in mammals arises causing no hair follicle regeneration, but it is unclear if scarring precludes regeneration. Here, the authors show that if Sonic hedgehog signaling is activated in the wound, an inductive dermal niche forms, enabling regeneration and hair follicle formation.
- Chae Ho Lim
- , Qi Sun
- & Mayumi Ito
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Article
| Open AccessSyncytial germline architecture is actively maintained by contraction of an internal actomyosin corset
Germline cells in many species are fused to form a syncytium but the mechanics behind the maintenance of these structures are poorly defined. Here, the authors propose an inner contractile actomyosin corset provides a supportive framework to maintain germline architecture in C. elegans.
- Agarwal Priti
- , Hui Ting Ong
- & Ronen Zaidel-Bar
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Article
| Open AccessDifferential lateral and basal tension drive folding of Drosophila wing discs through two distinct mechanisms
Epithelial folding has mainly been linked to forces acting in the apical actomyosin network of cells. Here, the authors show using live imaging that two distinct mechanisms, changes in basal surface tension and changes in lateral surface tension, drive the formation of two folds in the Drosophila wing disc.
- Liyuan Sui
- , Silvanus Alt
- & Christian Dahmann
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Article
| Open AccessMyogenin promotes myocyte fusion to balance fibre number and size
Loss of the transcription factor Myogenin in mice reduces skeletal myogenesis and leads to perinatal death but how Myogenin regulates muscle formation is unclear. Here, the authors show that zebrafish Myogenin enhances Myomaker expression, muscle cell fusion and myotome size, yet decreases fast muscle fibre number.
- Massimo Ganassi
- , Sara Badodi
- & Simon M. Hughes
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Article
| Open AccessCytoplasmic localization of GRHL3 upon epidermal differentiation triggers cell shape change for epithelial morphogenesis
The transcription factor Grhl3 is known to play a role in the nucleus during epidermal differentiation. Here, the authors report that Grhl3 is also cytoplasmic and membrane-localized, increasing mechanical stiffness by upregulating actomyosin networks.
- Chiharu Kimura-Yoshida
- , Kyoko Mochida
- & Isao Matsuo
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Article
| Open AccessGap junction protein Connexin-43 is a direct transcriptional regulator of N-cadherin in vivo
Connexins are components of gap junctions that link cells and allow intercellular communication. Here, the authors show that the Connexin 43 carboxy tail interacts with basic transcription factor-3, leading to nuclear translocation and direct regulation of N-cadherin expression and neural crest migration.
- Maria Kotini
- , Elias H. Barriga
- & Roberto Mayor
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Article
| Open AccessAIP1 and cofilin ensure a resistance to tissue tension and promote directional cell rearrangement
Cells must resist or release tension/compression when proliferating and moving during development. Here the authors show that AIP1, together with cofilin, promotes local actin turnover to regulate linkage between actomyosin and cell junctions and resist mechanical load imposed by tissue stretching.
- Keisuke Ikawa
- & Kaoru Sugimura
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Article
| Open AccessVertebrate myosin 1d regulates left–right organizer morphogenesis and laterality
The actin-based motor Myosin1d is needed to establish left–right asymmetry in Drosophila. Here the authors show that myosin 1d has a role in lumen formation, vacuole trafficking and left-right asymmetry establishment during zebrafish development.
- Manush Saydmohammed
- , Hisato Yagi
- & Michael Tsang
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Article
| Open AccessExperience-dependent structural plasticity targets dynamic filopodia in regulating dendrite maturation and synaptogenesis
During development, dendrites display structural plasticity, as reflected in the appearance of long, thin and highly motile dendritic filopodia. Here, the authors examine dendritic dynamics of ventral lateral neurons in the developing Drosophila larva, and identify Amphiphysin as an important regulator of this process.
- Chengyu Sheng
- , Uzma Javed
- & Quan Yuan
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Article
| Open AccessScutoids are a geometrical solution to three-dimensional packing of epithelia
Cell arrangement in the plane of epithelia is well studied, but its three-dimensional packing is largely unknown. Here the authors model curved epithelia and predict that cells adopt a geometrical shape they call “scutoid”, resulting in different apical and basal neighbours, and confirm the presence of scutoids in curved tissues.
- Pedro Gómez-Gálvez
- , Pablo Vicente-Munuera
- & Luis M. Escudero
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Article
| Open AccessSynchronized mesenchymal cell polarization and differentiation shape the formation of the murine trachea and esophagus
Tracheal development arises due to tube morphogenesis but how this is regulated is unclear. Here, the authors identify polarization of smooth muscle progenitors as controlling murine tracheal development, activating noncanonical Wnt signaling followed by subepithelial morphogenesis and ring cartilage development.
- Keishi Kishimoto
- , Masaru Tamura
- & Mitsuru Morimoto
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Article
| Open AccessThe potassium channel KCNJ13 is essential for smooth muscle cytoskeletal organization during mouse tracheal tubulogenesis
Tubulogenesis is required for the formation of many internal structures including the trachea. Here, the authors show that the potassium channel KCNJ13 regulates tracheal tube formation, with shorter tracheas forming in mutant mice due in part to changes in actin organization in tracheal smooth muscle cells.
- Wenguang Yin
- , Hyun-Taek Kim
- & Didier Y. R. Stainier
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Article
| Open AccessPulmonary pericytes regulate lung morphogenesis
Pericytes surround endothelial tubules and help maintain the integrity of blood vessels. Here the authors show that pericytes regulate lung morphogenesis via paracrine signalling controlled by components of the Hippo pathway.
- Katsuhiro Kato
- , Rodrigo Diéguez-Hurtado
- & Ralf H. Adams
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Article
| Open AccessPlanar cell polarity signalling coordinates heart tube remodelling through tissue-scale polarisation of actomyosin activity
The molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac chamber formation are not well understood. Here, the authors show that planar cell polarity signalling through Wnt5b and Wnt11 coordinates localised and tissue-scale polarised actomyosin contractility in the zebrafish heart, regulating cardiac chamber formation and looping.
- Anne Margarete Merks
- , Marie Swinarski
- & Daniela Panáková
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Article
| Open AccessIntegrin beta3 regulates clonality and fate of smooth muscle-derived atherosclerotic plaque cells
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) invade atherosclerotic lesions and expand, contributing to plaque progression. Here Misra et al. show that SMC-derived plaque cells come from a single SMC and integrin β3 in SMCs and macrophages regulate the fate, expansion and migration of SMCs during plaque formation.
- Ashish Misra
- , Zhonghui Feng
- & Daniel M. Greif
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Article
| Open AccessContinuous addition of progenitors forms the cardiac ventricle in zebrafish
Late-differentiating second heart field progenitors contribute to atrium, ventricle, and outflow tract in the zebrafish heart but how remains unclear. Here, the authors image heart formation in transgenics based on the cardiopharyngeal gene tbx1 and show that progenitors are continuously added.
- Anastasia Felker
- , Karin D. Prummel
- & Christian Mosimann
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Article
| Open AccessMyosin1D is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of animal left–right asymmetry
Left-right (LR) axis specification is essential for embryonic patterning but a unifying mechanism across organisms has not been identified. Here, the authors show that Myosin1D, known to regulate Drosophila LR asymmetry, controls zebrafish LR Organizer function, and is therefore a conserved regulator of animal laterality.
- Thomas Juan
- , Charles Géminard
- & Maximilian Fürthauer
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Article
| Open AccessContraction of basal filopodia controls periodic feather branching via Notch and FGF signaling
Keratinocytes are organised into a periodic pattern in feather branching, but how this is regulated is unclear. Here, the authors show that there is a coordinated change in cell shape and adherence, mediated by Notch, FGF signalling and Rho GTPases, which in turn regulates feather branching.
- Dongyang Cheng
- , Xiaoli Yan
- & Zhicao Yue
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Article
| Open AccessGon4l regulates notochord boundary formation and cell polarity underlying axis extension by repressing adhesion genes
Anteroposterior axis extension during gastrulation is dynamically coordinated, but how this is regulated at a molecular level is unclear. Here, the authors show in zebrafish that the chromatin factor Gon4l, encoded by ugly duckling, coordinates axis extension by modulating EpCAM and Integrinα3b expression.
- Margot L. K. Williams
- , Atsushi Sawada
- & Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
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Article
| Open AccessA biochemical network controlling basal myosin oscillation
The actomyosin cytoskeleton is known to spontaneously oscillate in many systems but the mechanism of this behavior is not clear. Here Qin et al. define a signaling network involving a ROCK-dependent self-activation loop and recruitment of myosin II to the cortex, followed by a local accumulation of myosin phosphatase that shuts off the signal.
- Xiang Qin
- , Edouard Hannezo
- & Xiaobo Wang