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Fig. 7. A shift in the plane of cell divisions occurs in the DM prior to complete
dissociation. (A-C) Frequency histograms of the orientation of mitotic
spindles in the DM at stages HH16-20 of development. An angle of 0°
represents a fully parallel orientation of mitosis vis-à-vis the
mediolateral plane of the DM epithelium, whereas an angle of 90° reflects
perpendicular cell divisions. (D) Quantification of the orientations of cell
divisions as a function of embryonic stage. All measurements concerned the
flank level of the axis. (E-G) Transverse sections of embryos aged E2.5, E3
and E3.5, respectively, double-labeled with -tubulin (red dots) and
Hoechst nuclear stain (blue). Note in E and F the epithelial structure of the
DM. In G the central portion of the epithelium is dissociating. Dividing cells
are enclosed in inserts and high magnifications of the inserts highlight the
planes of cell division. Note that in addition to centrosome-specific
staining, -tubulin immunolabeling is also apparent throughout the
cytoplasm of tissues such as myotome and ectoderm. DM, dermomyotome; M,
myotome, NT, neural tube. Scale bar: 12 µm in E,F; 10 µm in G; 6 µm
in E,G (inserts); 7 µm in F.
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