Dynamic and polarized muscle cell behaviors accompany tail morphogenesis in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Axial elongation is a key morphogenetic process that serves to shape developing organisms. Tail extension in the ascidian larva represents a striking example of this process, wherein paraxially positioned muscle cells undergo elongation and differentiation independent of the segmentation process that characterizes the formation of paraxial mesoderm in vertebrates. Investigating the cell behaviors underlying the morphogenesis of muscle in ascidians may therefore reveal the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms operating during this process.

Methodology/principle findings

A live cell imaging approach utilizing subcellularly-localized fluorescent proteins was employed to investigate muscle cell behaviors during tail extension in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Changes

SUBMITTER: Passamaneck YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1934933 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature