In Xenopus laevis somitogenesis, somitic blocks undergo coordinated movements resulting in their detachment from the rest of the mesodermal ridge, followed by a 90° rotation of the entire metamere. Here we investigated the function of type I cadherins in somitogenesis. Type I cadherins are Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules concentrated in the adherens junctions and highly expressed in the somitic tissue. We analyzed their role in somitogenesis by overexpressing either the intracellular (∆E) and the extracellular (C-trunc) dominant-negative forms of cadherin. The resulting phenotype was a downward bend of the anterior-posterior axis in tadpole stage embryos. 12/101 antigen and X-Myo-D expression were altered. Microscopy revealed disorganization of the myotomes. Conversely, segmentation was conserved at the microscopic and molecular levels.
Type I cadherins are required for differentiation and coordinated rotation in Xenopus laevis somitogenesis
GIACOMELLO, EMILIANA
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
2002-01-01
Abstract
In Xenopus laevis somitogenesis, somitic blocks undergo coordinated movements resulting in their detachment from the rest of the mesodermal ridge, followed by a 90° rotation of the entire metamere. Here we investigated the function of type I cadherins in somitogenesis. Type I cadherins are Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules concentrated in the adherens junctions and highly expressed in the somitic tissue. We analyzed their role in somitogenesis by overexpressing either the intracellular (∆E) and the extracellular (C-trunc) dominant-negative forms of cadherin. The resulting phenotype was a downward bend of the anterior-posterior axis in tadpole stage embryos. 12/101 antigen and X-Myo-D expression were altered. Microscopy revealed disorganization of the myotomes. Conversely, segmentation was conserved at the microscopic and molecular levels.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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