A Yap-dependent mechanoregulatory program sustains cell migration for embryo axis assembly.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• Embryo axis assembly is critical for vertebrate body plan formation.
• Gastrulation involves complex morphogenetic movements, but how cells sense mechanical cues is unclear.
• Yap proteins are known mechanotransducers, but their role in gastrulation is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Yap proteins in gastrulation and embryo axis assembly.
• To understand how gastrulating cells interpret mechanical cues during development.

Main Methods:

• Generated double knockout medaka (fish) embryos for yap and yap1b.
• Analyzed cell migration, displacement, and persistence during gastrulation.
• Utilized live imaging with sensors to track Yap activity and downstream targets.
• Performed gene expression analysis to identify Yap targets.

Main Results:

• Yap/Yap1b knockout medaka embryos failed to assemble the primary axis.
• Mutant cells exhibited reduced displacement and migratory persistence.
• Identified genes related to cytoskeletal organization and cell-ECM adhesion as potential Yap targets.
• Yap promotes cortical actin and focal adhesion recruitment in migratory cells.

Conclusions:

• Yap proteins are essential for coordinating a mechanoregulatory program during gastrulation.
• Yap maintains intracellular tension and directed cell migration necessary for embryo axis development.
• This study elucidates a novel role for Yap in interpreting mechanical cues for developmental processes.