ABSTRACT
During embryonic development, a simple ball of cells re-shapes itself into the elaborate body plan of an animal. This requires dramatic cell shape changes and cell movements, powered by the contractile force generated by actin and myosin linked to the plasma membrane at cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Here, we review three morphogenetic events common to most animals: apical constriction, convergent extension and collective cell migration. Using the fruit fly Drosophila as an example, we discuss recent work that has revealed exciting new insights into the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to change shape and move without tearing tissues apart. We also point out parallel events at work in other animals, which suggest that the mechanisms underlying these morphogenetic processes are conserved.
Footnotes
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Funding
Work in the authors’ lab is supported by the National Institutes of Health (R35 GM118096). K.Z.P.-V. has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (F31 GM131521 and T32 GM007092) and by a Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program Award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Deposited in PMC for release after 12 months.
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- Article
- ABSTRACT
- Introduction
- Drosophila mesoderm invagination as a model for how apical constriction reshapes tissues
- Drosophila germband extension as a model of convergent extension
- Drosophila dorsal closure as a model of tissue spreading via collective cell migration
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- Footnotes
- References
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