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First published online December 7, 2007

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Calcium signals early asymmetry

Although vertebrates look bilaterally symmetrical, their internal organs are placed asymmetrically. In some organisms, Ca²⁺ signalling and cilia function in the embryonic node have been implicated in the establishment of this left-right (LR) asymmetry. Now, Schneider and colleagues report that Ca²⁺ fluxes also have a conserved function in LR patterning before node formation (see p. 75). In zebrafish embryos, Kuppfer's Vesicle (KV), which is derived from the dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs), is homologous to the node in mice and chicks. The researchers show that endogenous Ca²⁺ is released in the DFC region after the onset of gastrulation but before KV and cilia formation. The inhibition of this early Ca²⁺ release, the researchers report, disrupts KV formation, which alters the expression of asymmetric markers and the asymmetric placement of internal organs. Other experiments indicate that β-catenin inhibition is the target of this early Ca²⁺ signalling. Finally, the researchers identify DFC-like cells in Xenopus embryos and provide evidence that early Ca²⁺ signalling is a conserved feature of LR patterning.

Related articles in Development:

Calcium fluxes in dorsal forerunner cells antagonize β-catenin and alter left-right patterning

Igor Schneider, Douglas W. Houston, Michael R. Rebagliati, and Diane C. Slusarski
Development 2008 135: 75-84. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content