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Cell interactions in the developing somite: in vitro comparisons between amputated (am/am) and normal mouse embryos
Abstract:
Facial, axial and limb development are all abnormal in the homozygous mutant mouse embryo (amputated). An interpretation of cell behaviour in vivo based on sectioned material which may explain these abnormalities has been previously suggested. In this study, somite cells cultured in vitro were found to behave exactly as predicted in this interpretation: they clump together, forming extensive areas of cell contact, and this has a profound effect on their mobility as measured by time-lapse cinemicrography. The similarity of cell behaviour in vitro and in vivo under two distinct sets of environmental conditions suggests that the abnormal cell behaviour is intrinsic to the cell, and directly linked to the mutation. The more extensive areas of cell contact formed between mutant cells suggests that the mutation changes the adhesive properties of the cell surface, but it cannot be excluded that the cells' motile apparatus is also affected.
Insights
Mutant mouse embryos exhibit abnormal facial, axial, and limb development due to intrinsic cell behavior defects. These defects, observed in vitro, suggest a mutation affecting cell adhesion properties.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Molecular genetics
- Cell biology
Background:
- Homozygous mutant mouse embryos (amputated) display severe abnormalities in facial, axial, and limb development.
- Previous interpretations suggested abnormal cell behavior in vivo as a potential cause for these developmental defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro behavior of somite cells from the amputated mutant mouse embryo.
- To determine if the previously suggested abnormal cell behavior is intrinsic to the mutant cells.
Main Methods:
- Culturing somite cells from homozygous mutant mouse embryos in vitro.
- Analyzing cell behavior using time-lapse cinemicrography.
- Comparing in vitro cell behavior to in vivo observations.
Main Results:
- Mutant somite cells in vitro clumped together, forming extensive areas of cell contact.
- This clumping significantly affected cell mobility.
- Observed in vitro cell behavior mirrored predictions based on in vivo interpretations.
Conclusions:
- The abnormal cell behavior observed in vitro is likely intrinsic to the mutant cells and directly linked to the mutation.
- The mutation may alter the adhesive properties of the cell surface, leading to increased cell-cell contact.
- The cells' motile apparatus might also be affected by the mutation.