Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
Published on: June 15, 2016
Transcriptional regulation of cell shape during organ morphogenesis
Aravind Sivakumar1, Natasza A Kurpios2
1Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Abstract:
The emerging field of transcriptional regulation of cell shape changes aims to address the critical question of how gene expression programs produce a change in cell shape. Together with cell growth, division, and death, changes in cell shape are essential for organ morphogenesis. Whereas most studies of cell shape focus on posttranslational events involved in protein organization and distribution, cell shape changes can be genetically programmed. This review highlights the essential role of transcriptional regulation of cell shape during morphogenesis of the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. We emphasize the evolutionary conservation of these processes across different model organisms and discuss perspectives on open questions and research avenues that may provide mechanistic insights toward understanding birth defects.
Related Concept Videos
Master Transcription Regulators
Master Transcription Regulators
Cooperative Binding of Transcription Regulators
Cooperative Binding of Transcription Regulators
Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches
Morphogenesis

