Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
06:10
Live Imaging of Mouse Secondary Palate Fusion
Published on: July 27, 2017
Mechanisms of tissue fusion during development
1HHMI, Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|April 19, 2012
Summary
Embryonic tissue fusion is vital for forming organs like the heart and neural tube. Disruptions in this process can cause birth defects, highlighting the need for further research into fusion mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Tissue fusion is essential for embryonic development, forming organs such as the heart, neural tube, eyes, face, and body wall.
- Improper tissue fusion during embryogenesis results in various human congenital anomalies.
- Recent advancements in genetic studies and tissue culture techniques have improved understanding of fusion mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on tissue fusion mechanisms in mammalian embryonic development.
- To identify key questions and future research directions in the field of developmental tissue fusion.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on embryonic tissue fusion.
- Analysis of genetic studies related to tissue fusion.
- Examination of findings from in vitro studies using cultured developing tissues.
Main Results:
- Tissue fusion involves the precise approach and integration of opposing tissue components.
- Disruptions in fusion processes are linked to a spectrum of birth defects.
- Knowledge of fusion mechanisms has been significantly advanced by genetic and culture-based studies.
Conclusions:
- Tissue fusion is a fundamental process in organogenesis with critical implications for health.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex molecular and cellular events governing tissue fusion.
- Understanding tissue fusion is key to preventing and treating congenital abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
01:43SNAREs and Membrane Fusion
Once a transport vesicle has recognized its target organelle, the vesicular membrane needs to fuse with the target membrane to unload the cargo. Transmembrane proteins called SNAREs present on organelle membranes and their vesicles, mediate vesicle fusion.
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
01:22Sutures of the Skull
The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
01:33Cleavage and Blastulation
After a large-single-celled zygote is produced via fertilization, the process of cleavage occurs while zygotes travel through the uterine tube. Cleavage is a mitotic cell division that does not result in growth. With each round of successive cell division, daughter cells get increasingly smaller.
01:13Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...