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Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

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Published on: December 14, 2015

Precision and scaling in morphogen gradient read-out.

Aitana Morton de Lachapelle¹, Sven Bergmann

¹Department of Medical Genetics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Molecular Systems Biology

|March 10, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

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Precision of the Bicoid (Bcd) morphogen gradient in Drosophila embryos is position-dependent, not gene-dependent. This developmental precision is primarily established during Bcd gradient formation, with transient profiles crucial for accuracy.

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Genetics
Systems Biology

Background:

Morphogen gradients, like Bicoid (Bcd) in Drosophila, dictate cell fate based on position.
Previous studies indicated Bcd gradients are precise and exhibit scaling properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally determine the precision of Bcd target gene expression across varying Bcd doses.
To investigate the role of Bcd gradient formation dynamics in achieving developmental precision.
To model Bcd gradient formation and scaling to understand inter-embryo variability.

Main Methods:

Experimental manipulation of bicoid gene dosage (single, double, quadruple) in Drosophila embryos.
Quantitative measurement of Bcd target gene expression precision.
Mathematical modeling of Bcd gradient formation dynamics and scaling.

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Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

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Published on: August 21, 2019

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Published on: December 14, 2015

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Published on: August 21, 2019

Main Results:

Bcd target gene precision is highest at the mid-embryo and is position-dependent, not gene-dependent.
Precision is largely determined during the initial Bcd gradient formation.
A transient Bcd profile is necessary to explain the observed precision; scaling is position-dependent and decreases posteriorly.

Conclusions:

The formation of the Bicoid gradient is the primary determinant of developmental precision.
Scaling of the Bcd gradient is generally position-dependent, with anterior expression domains showing overcompensation for embryo length fluctuations.