Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
09:28
Assaying the Ability of Diffusible Signaling Molecules to Reorient Embryonic Spinal Commissural Axons
Published on: March 9, 2010
Myosin-dependent junction remodelling controls planar cell intercalation and axis elongation
Claire Bertet1, Lawrence Sulak, Thomas Lecuit
1Laboratoire de Génétique et de Physiologie du Développement, Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, CNRS-INSERM-Université de la Méditerranée, Campus de Luminy, case 907, 13288 Marseille cedex 9, France.
Nature
|June 11, 2004
Summary
Cell intercalation drives epithelial morphogenesis by reorganizing cell junctions. Myosin II activity is crucial for this process, providing a general model for tissue development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Tissue shaping (morphogenesis) relies on cell division, shape, and neighbor changes via intercalation.
- Epithelial integrity, maintained by adherens junctions, presents unique challenges for intercalation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of ordered cell intercalation driving polarized epithelial morphogenesis.
- To understand the role of cell junctions and forces in germ-band elongation in Drosophila embryos.
Main Methods:
- Investigated junction remodeling during cell intercalation in Drosophila embryos.
- Analyzed the role of local forces and myosin II in planar junction remodeling.
Main Results:
- Cell intercalation progresses through spatial reorganization of adherens junctions.
- Planar junction remodeling is driven by local forces, not external tissue forces.
- Myosin II, enriched in disassembling junctions, is essential for planar remodeling and intercalation.
Conclusions:
- A novel cellular mechanism for polarized epithelial morphogenesis is proposed.
- Local forces and myosin II-dependent junction remodeling drive cell intercalation.
- This mechanism offers a general model for epithelial organ development.
Related Concept Videos
02:15M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
02:15M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...