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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos
Published on: March 30, 2011
Mixer Cell formation during dorsal closure: a new developmental model of JNK-dependent natural cell reprogramming in
Melanie Gettings1, Stéphane Noselli
1Institute of Developmental Biology and Cancer-IBDC-Nice, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS UMR 6543, Nice, France.
Abstract:
What triggers a differentiated cell to naturally change its cell fate? Cell reprogramming is a rare and intriguing phenomenon, from a developmental point of view. It has been mostly involved in boundary sharpening during development, tissue regeneration and cancer. Developmental models of the understanding of pathology-related cell reprogramming are yet to be established. Here we comment on the recently discovered "Mixer Cells" undergoing highly stereotyped developmental reprogramming during Drosophila epidermal morphogenesis. The JNK signaling pathway, which is involved in regenerative cell reprogramming, is essential to Mixer Cell formation. Thus the Mixer Cell model may provide a link between developmental cell reprogramming and regeneration.
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