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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

Published on: June 2, 2020

Evolution of development: diversified dorsoventral patterning.

¹Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0349, USA. bier@ucsd.edu

Current Biology : CB

|August 9, 2011

Summary

BMP signaling patterns the dorsoventral axis in animals. This study reveals its adaptable, short-range function in leech development, highlighting evolutionary flexibility.

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Evolutionary biology
Molecular signaling

Background:

Graded Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling is crucial for establishing the dorsoventral axis in diverse animal species.
This conserved mechanism underlies fundamental patterns of embryonic development across the animal kingdom.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional role and range of BMP signaling in axis patterning within the leech *Helobdella*.
To explore the adaptability of the BMP signaling system in a distinct evolutionary lineage.

Main Methods:

Utilizing genetic and molecular techniques in *Helobdella* embryos.
Analyzing gene expression patterns related to BMP signaling pathways.
Functional assays to perturb BMP signaling and observe developmental outcomes.

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Dissection and Lateral Mounting of Zebrafish Embryos: Analysis of Spinal Cord Development

Dissection and Lateral Mounting of Zebrafish Embryos: Analysis of Spinal Cord Development

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

Published on: June 2, 2020

Using Avian Skin Explants to Study Tissue Patterning and Organogenesis

Using Avian Skin Explants to Study Tissue Patterning and Organogenesis

Published on: September 15, 2023

Dissection and Lateral Mounting of Zebrafish Embryos: Analysis of Spinal Cord Development

Dissection and Lateral Mounting of Zebrafish Embryos: Analysis of Spinal Cord Development

Published on: February 28, 2014

Main Results:

BMP signaling operates over a short range in *Helobdella* to pattern the dorsoventral axis.
Evidence of conserved BMP pathway components but divergent functional scale compared to other model organisms.
Demonstration of the system's plasticity in adapting to specific developmental contexts.

Conclusions:

The BMP signaling pathway is a versatile developmental tool capable of adaptation across animal evolution.
Short-range BMP signaling in leeches provides a novel model for understanding axis patterning plasticity.