Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle constrictions

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Biophysics
• Genetics

Background:

• Organ development involves complex folding of laminar tissues.
• The interplay between genetic signals and tissue mechanics in organ morphogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic and mechanical interactions between tissue layers during visceral organ development.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying organ folding in vivo.

Main Methods:

• In vivo live imaging using deep tissue light-sheet microscopy.
• Development of a computational framework for multilayered shape analysis.
• Utilizing the embryonic midgut of Drosophila as a model system.

Main Results:

• Hox genes regulate high-frequency calcium pulses, triggering muscle contractions via myosin light chain kinase.
• Muscle contractions induce cell shape changes, driving convergent extension.
• In-plane cell shape changes, coupled with tissue properties, lead to out-of-plane organ folding.

Conclusions:

• Organ folding is driven by a high-frequency molecular cascade initiated by genetic patterning.
• Gene expression influences organ shape through post-translational modifications and mechanical signaling between tissue layers.
• This study reveals a physical pathway for gene regulation to control organ morphogenesis.