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02/11/2009 18:23

New Insights into Cell Migration and Tissue Morphogenesis in Zebrafish

Barbara Bachtler Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Berlin-Buch

    Using zebrafish embryos as a model system, researchers of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch have gained new insights into the complex morphogenesis of epithelial cells during their development and migration. They studied the development of the lateral line organ in zebrafish, a sensory system found in fish and amphibians which serves to detect water flow and movements. Their findings show that two genes regulate cell organization within this epithelial tissue, which is found at different points along the fish body surface. Both genes also play a role in cancer development. (Journal of Cell Science, 10. February 10, 2009, doi: 10.1242/jcs.032102)*.

    The study of David Hava, Dr. Ulrike Forster and Dr. Salim Abdelilah-Seyfried focused on the formation of cellular rosettes within an epithelial tissue and their separation from it. Normally, each cellular rosette gives rise to a neuromast, a sensor whose function it is to detect water flow movements. The researchers have described for the first time the cellular machinery that is needed to form these epithelial cell rosettes within a compact migratory tissue. Their research demonstrates that two genes have an important function in the formation of cellular rosettes: namely, to allow cells within the rosettes to adhere more strongly to each other than to the cells of the surrounding tissue. However, if one of the genes is lacking, the cells within the rosettes adhere to each other less strongly and the rosettes can no longer separate entirely from the surrounding tissue. As a consequence, fewer sensors develop.

    Cell migration is not only significant for embryonic development but also in the development of cancer. Being a vertebrate, the tiny zebrafish shares many of the features of human systems which is why scientists use it as a model organism for studying vertebrate development and disease.

    Barbara Bachtler
    Press and Public Affairs
    Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch
    Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10; 13125 Berlin; Germany
    Phone: +49 (0) 30 94 06 - 38 96
    Fax: +49 (0) 30 94 06 - 38 33
    e-mail: presse@mdc-berlin.de
    http://www.mdc-berlin.de/


    More information:

    http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/jcs.032102v1


    Images

    Organization of epithelial cell rosettes around zones of cell-cell contacts (red). Individual cell rosettes separate from the surrounding tissue and form neuromasts, sensors that are located at different points along the fish body surface, which detect water flow and movements.
    Organization of epithelial cell rosettes around zones of cell-cell contacts (red). Individual cell r ...
    (Photo: David Hava/Copyright: MDC)
    None


    Criteria of this press release:
    Biology, Medicine
    transregional, national
    Research results
    English


     

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