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A self-generated Toddler gradient guides mesodermal cell migration.

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|September 14, 2022
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Zebrafish mesoderm migration during gastrulation is guided by a unique self-generated gradient of the protein Toddler (also known as ELABELA or Apela). This gradient is sensed and generated by the same Apelin receptor in mesodermal cells.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Cell migration
  • Embryogenesis

Background:

  • Germ layer formation during gastrulation requires precise cell movements.
  • The guidance cues for long-range progenitor cell migration are not fully understood.
  • Directional cell migration typically involves chemokine gradients from localized sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the guidance cues controlling zebrafish ventrolateral mesoderm migration during gastrulation.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which mesodermal cells achieve directed migration.
  • To investigate the role of the protein Toddler and its receptor in embryonic development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized zebrafish as a model organism for studying gastrulation.
  • Investigated the expression patterns of Toddler and its receptor during embryogenesis.
  • Performed experiments to assess the function of the Apelin receptor in cell migration.
  • Analyzed the formation and sensing of the Toddler gradient.

Main Results:

  • Zebrafish ventrolateral mesoderm migration is guided by a self-generated gradient of Toddler/ELABELA/Apela.
  • The Apelin receptor, expressed in mesodermal cells, acts as both a scavenger receptor to create the gradient and a chemokine receptor to sense it.
  • This single receptor-based mechanism effectively steers mesodermal cell migration.

Conclusions:

  • A novel self-generated gradient mechanism, mediated by a single receptor, guides mesodermal cell migration during zebrafish gastrulation.
  • The Apelin receptor plays a dual role in gradient formation and sensing, providing a robust guidance system.
  • This finding reveals an enigmatic guidance cue essential for navigating the complex embryonic environment.