Progress on the left-right asymmetry patterning in amphioxus

The mechanisms underlying the establishment of left-right (L-R) asymmetry in bilaterians is one of the central enigmas in developmental biology. Amphioxus is an important model in studying the mechanisms of animal asymmetry specification due to its particular phylogenetic position, vertebrate-like embryogenesis and body plan. Recently, with the establishments of artificial breeding technology, high-efficiency microinjection method and gene knockout technology, researchers have successfully dissected the mechanisms of amphioxus L-R asymmetry development. In this review, we summarize the major progress in understanding L-R asymmetry specification in amphioxus and propose a model of regulation of L-R asymmetry in this species. Hh protein is transported dominantly to the right side by cilia movement, leading to R>L Hh signaling andCerexpression. Cer inhibits expression of Nodal, leading to the asymmetric expression of Nodal-dependent genes. The L-R differences in the propagation of the Nodal pathway result in the correct morphological L-R asymmetry development in amphioxus embryo. BMP signaling probably does not provide the asymmetric cue, but is necessary for correct expression ofCer andNodal.