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Gastrula organiser and embryonic patterning in the mouse
Lorraine Robb1, Patrick P L Tam
1The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia.
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 24, 2004
Summary
Mouse embryonic patterning during gastrulation involves organiser genes. Recent findings reveal extraembryonic and embryonic endoderm also contribute to this crucial developmental process.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryogenesis
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Embryonic patterning establishes anterior-posterior axes and body laterality.
- The "organiser" is a key signaling center during mouse gastrulation.
- Organiser genes orchestrate axial mesoderm, floor plate, and endoderm specification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the organiser in embryonic patterning.
- To explore the contribution of extraembryonic and embryonic endoderm to patterning.
- To understand the interplay between signalling centers and endoderm in development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of "organiser" gene expression.
- Studying signalling pathways like WNT and TGFbeta.
- Investigating morphogenetic activities of endoderm.
Main Results:
- The organiser provides antagonistic activity modulating WNT and TGFbeta signalling.
- Extraembryonic and embryonic endoderm exhibit morphogenetic activity.
- Organiser activity is augmented by endodermal morphogenetic activity.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic patterning is a complex process involving multiple cellular contributions.
- The organiser is not the sole determinant of embryonic patterning.
- Endodermal morphogenetic activity plays a significant role in early development.