Publication Date
5-1-2025
Journal
Development
DOI
10.1242/dev.202931
PMID
39651654
PMCID
PMC12070064
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
5-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Anteroposterior elongation of the vertebrate body plan is driven by convergence and extension (C&E) gastrulation movements in both the mesoderm and neuroectoderm, but how or whether molecular regulation of C&E differs between tissues remains an open question. Using a zebrafish explant model of anteroposterior axis extension, we show that C&E of the neuroectoderm and mesoderm can be uncoupled ex vivo, and that morphogenesis of individual tissues results from distinct morphogen signaling dynamics. Using precise temporal manipulation of BMP and Nodal signaling, we identify a critical developmental window during which high or low BMP/Nodal ratios induce neuroectoderm- or mesoderm-driven C&E, respectively. Increased BMP activity similarly enhances C&E specifically in the ectoderm of intact zebrafish gastrulae, highlighting the in vivo relevance of our findings. Together, these results demonstrate that temporal dynamics of BMP and Nodal morphogen signaling activate distinct morphogenetic programs governing C&E gastrulation movements within individual tissues.
Keywords
Animals, Gastrulation, Zebrafish, Nodal Protein, Mesoderm, Zebrafish Proteins, Morphogenesis, Signal Transduction, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Body Patterning, Gastrula, Neural Plate, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Ectoderm, Gastrulation, Morphogenesis, Convergent extension, Zebrafish, Nodal, BMP
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Emig, Alyssa A; Hansen, Megan; Grimm, Sandra; et al., "Temporal Dynamics of Bmp/Nodal Ratio Drive Tissue-Specific Gastrulation Morphogenesis" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6990.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6990