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bioRxiv · 10.1101/173583

Pan-embryo cell dynamics of germlayer formation in zebrafish

Shah, G.·Thierbach, K.·Schmid, B.·Reade, A.·Roeder, I.·Scherf, N.·Huisken, J.
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Abstract

Cell movements are coordinated across spatio-temporal scales to achieve precise positioning of organs during vertebrate gastrulation. In zebrafish, mechanisms governing such morphogenetic movements have so far only been studied within a local region or a single germlayer. Here, we present pan-embryo analyses of fate specification and dynamics of all three germlayers simultaneously within a gastrulating embryo, showing that cell movement characteristics are predominantly determined by its position within the embryo, independent of its germlayer identity. The spatially confined fate specification establishes a distinct distribution of cells in each germlayer during early gastrulation. The differences in the initial distribution are subsequently amplified by a unique global movement, which organizes the organ precursors along the embryonic body axis, giving rise to the blueprint of organ formation.

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Shah, G., Thierbach, K., Schmid, B., Reade, A., Roeder, I., Scherf, N., Huisken, J.. 2017-08-08. Pan-embryo cell dynamics of germlayer formation in zebrafish. https://doi.org/10.1101/173583

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