@phdthesis{9623, abstract = {Cytoplasmic reorganizations are essential for morphogenesis. In large cells like oocytes, these reorganizations become crucial in patterning the oocyte for later stages of embryonic development. Ascidians oocytes reorganize their cytoplasm (ooplasm) in a spectacular manner. Ooplasmic reorganization is initiated at fertilization with the contraction of the actomyosin cortex along the animal-vegetal axis of the oocyte, driving the accumulation of cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cER), maternal mRNAs associated to it and a mitochondria-rich subcortical layer – the myoplasm – in a region of the vegetal pole termed contraction pole (CP). Here we have used the species Phallusia mammillata to investigate the changes in cell shape that accompany these reorganizations and the mechanochemical mechanisms underlining CP formation. We report that the length of the animal-vegetal (AV) axis oscillates upon fertilization: it first undergoes a cycle of fast elongation-lengthening followed by a slow expansion of mainly the vegetal pole (VP) of the cell. We show that the fast oscillation corresponds to a dynamic polarization of the actin cortex as a result of a fertilization-induced increase in cortical tension in the oocyte that triggers a rupture of the cortex at the animal pole and the establishment of vegetal-directed cortical flows. These flows are responsible for the vegetal accumulation of actin causing the VP to flatten. We find that the slow expansion of the VP, leading to CP formation, correlates with a relaxation of the vegetal cortex and that the myoplasm plays a role in the expansion. We show that the myoplasm is a solid-like layer that buckles under compression forces arising from the contracting actin cortex at the VP. Straightening of the myoplasm when actin flows stops, facilitates the expansion of the VP and the CP. Altogether, our results present a previously unrecognized role for the myoplasm in ascidian ooplasmic segregation. }, author = {Caballero Mancebo, Silvia}, isbn = {978-3-99078-012-1}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {111}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Fertilization-induced deformations are controlled by the actin cortex and a mitochondria-rich subcortical layer in ascidian oocytes}}, doi = {10.15479/at:ista:9623}, year = {2021}, } @article{9006, abstract = {Cytoplasm is a gel-like crowded environment composed of various macromolecules, organelles, cytoskeletal networks, and cytosol. The structure of the cytoplasm is highly organized and heterogeneous due to the crowding of its constituents and their effective compartmentalization. In such an environment, the diffusive dynamics of the molecules are restricted, an effect that is further amplified by clustering and anchoring of molecules. Despite the crowded nature of the cytoplasm at the microscopic scale, large-scale reorganization of the cytoplasm is essential for important cellular functions, such as cell division and polarization. How such mesoscale reorganization of the cytoplasm is achieved, especially for large cells such as oocytes or syncytial tissues that can span hundreds of micrometers in size, is only beginning to be understood. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in elucidating the molecular, cellular, and biophysical mechanisms by which the cytoskeleton drives cytoplasmic reorganization across different scales, structures, and species.}, author = {Shamipour, Shayan and Caballero Mancebo, Silvia and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {18781551}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {2}, pages = {P213--226}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Cytoplasm's got moves}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2020.12.002}, volume = {56}, year = {2021}, } @phdthesis{9397, abstract = {Accumulation of interstitial fluid (IF) between embryonic cells is a common phenomenon in vertebrate embryogenesis. Unlike other model systems, where these accumulations coalesce into a large central cavity – the blastocoel, in zebrafish, IF is more uniformly distributed between the deep cells (DC) before the onset of gastrulation. This is likely due to the presence of a large extraembryonic structure – the yolk cell (YC) at the position where the blastocoel typically forms in other model organisms. IF has long been speculated to play a role in tissue morphogenesis during embryogenesis, but direct evidence supporting such function is still sparse. Here we show that the relocalization of IF to the interface between the YC and DC/epiblast is critical for axial mesendoderm (ME) cell protrusion formation and migration along this interface, a key process in embryonic axis formation. We further demonstrate that axial ME cell migration and IF relocalization engage in a positive feedback loop, where axial ME migration triggers IF accumulation ahead of the advancing axial ME tissue by mechanically compressing the overlying epiblast cell layer. Upon compression, locally induced flow relocalizes the IF through the porous epiblast tissue resulting in an IF accumulation ahead of the leading axial ME. This IF accumulation, in turn, promotes cell protrusion formation and migration of the leading axial ME cells, thereby facilitating axial ME extension. Our findings reveal a central role of dynamic IF relocalization in orchestrating germ layer morphogenesis during gastrulation.}, author = {Huljev, Karla}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {101}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Coordinated spatiotemporal reorganization of interstitial fluid is required for axial mesendoderm migration in zebrafish gastrulation}}, doi = {10.15479/at:ista:9397}, year = {2021}, } @article{7888, abstract = {Embryonic stem cell cultures are thought to self-organize into embryoid bodies, able to undergo symmetry-breaking, germ layer specification and even morphogenesis. Yet, it is unclear how to reconcile this remarkable self-organization capacity with classical experiments demonstrating key roles for extrinsic biases by maternal factors and/or extraembryonic tissues in embryogenesis. Here, we show that zebrafish embryonic tissue explants, prepared prior to germ layer induction and lacking extraembryonic tissues, can specify all germ layers and form a seemingly complete mesendoderm anlage. Importantly, explant organization requires polarized inheritance of maternal factors from dorsal-marginal regions of the blastoderm. Moreover, induction of endoderm and head-mesoderm, which require peak Nodal-signaling levels, is highly variable in explants, reminiscent of embryos with reduced Nodal signals from the extraembryonic tissues. Together, these data suggest that zebrafish explants do not undergo bona fide self-organization, but rather display features of genetically encoded self-assembly, where intrinsic genetic programs control the emergence of order.}, author = {Schauer, Alexandra and Nunes Pinheiro, Diana C and Hauschild, Robert and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {2050-084X}, journal = {eLife}, publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications}, title = {{Zebrafish embryonic explants undergo genetically encoded self-assembly}}, doi = {10.7554/elife.55190}, volume = {9}, year = {2020}, } @article{8680, abstract = {Animal development entails the organization of specific cell types in space and time, and spatial patterns must form in a robust manner. In the zebrafish spinal cord, neural progenitors form stereotypic patterns despite noisy morphogen signaling and large-scale cellular rearrangements during morphogenesis and growth. By directly measuring adhesion forces and preferences for three types of endogenous neural progenitors, we provide evidence for the differential adhesion model in which differences in intercellular adhesion mediate cell sorting. Cell type–specific combinatorial expression of different classes of cadherins (N-cadherin, cadherin 11, and protocadherin 19) results in homotypic preference ex vivo and patterning robustness in vivo. Furthermore, the differential adhesion code is regulated by the sonic hedgehog morphogen gradient. We propose that robust patterning during tissue morphogenesis results from interplay between adhesion-based self-organization and morphogen-directed patterning.}, author = {Tsai, Tony Y.-C. and Sikora, Mateusz K and Xia, Peng and Colak-Champollion, Tugba and Knaut, Holger and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Megason, Sean G.}, issn = {1095-9203}, journal = {Science}, keywords = {Multidisciplinary}, number = {6512}, pages = {113--116}, publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science}, title = {{An adhesion code ensures robust pattern formation during tissue morphogenesis}}, doi = {10.1126/science.aba6637}, volume = {370}, year = {2020}, } @article{8957, abstract = {Global tissue tension anisotropy has been shown to trigger stereotypical cell division orientation by elongating mitotic cells along the main tension axis. Yet, how tissue tension elongates mitotic cells despite those cells undergoing mitotic rounding (MR) by globally upregulating cortical actomyosin tension remains unclear. We addressed this question by taking advantage of ascidian embryos, consisting of a small number of interphasic and mitotic blastomeres and displaying an invariant division pattern. We found that blastomeres undergo MR by locally relaxing cortical tension at their apex, thereby allowing extrinsic pulling forces from neighboring interphasic blastomeres to polarize their shape and thus division orientation. Consistently, interfering with extrinsic forces by reducing the contractility of interphasic blastomeres or disrupting the establishment of asynchronous mitotic domains leads to aberrant mitotic cell division orientations. Thus, apical relaxation during MR constitutes a key mechanism by which tissue tension anisotropy controls stereotypical cell division orientation.}, author = {Godard, Benoit G and Dumollard, Rémi and Munro, Edwin and Chenevert, Janet and Hebras, Céline and Mcdougall, Alex and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {18781551}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {6}, pages = {695--706}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Apical relaxation during mitotic rounding promotes tension-oriented cell division}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.016}, volume = {55}, year = {2020}, } @inbook{7227, abstract = {Gastrulation entails specification and formation of three embryonic germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm—thereby establishing the basis for the future body plan. In zebrafish embryos, germ layer specification occurs during blastula and early gastrula stages (Ho & Kimmel, 1993), a period when the main morphogenetic movements underlying gastrulation are initiated. Hence, the signals driving progenitor cell fate specification, such as Nodal ligands from the TGF-β family, also play key roles in regulating germ layer progenitor cell segregation (Carmany-Rampey & Schier, 2001; David & Rosa, 2001; Feldman et al., 2000; Gritsman et al., 1999; Keller et al., 2008). In this review, we summarize and discuss the main signaling pathways involved in germ layer progenitor cell fate specification and segregation, specifically focusing on recent advances in understanding the interplay between mesoderm and endoderm specification and the internalization movements at the onset of zebrafish gastrulation.}, author = {Nunes Pinheiro, Diana C and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, booktitle = {Gastrulation: From Embryonic Pattern to Form}, issn = {00702153}, pages = {343--375}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Zebrafish gastrulation: Putting fate in motion}}, doi = {10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.10.009}, volume = {136}, year = {2020}, } @inbook{7410, abstract = {Epiboly is a conserved gastrulation movement describing the thinning and spreading of a sheet or multi-layer of cells. The zebrafish embryo has emerged as a vital model system to address the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive epiboly. In the zebrafish embryo, the blastoderm, consisting of a simple squamous epithelium (the enveloping layer) and an underlying mass of deep cells, as well as a yolk nuclear syncytium (the yolk syncytial layer) undergo epiboly to internalize the yolk cell during gastrulation. The major events during zebrafish epiboly are: expansion of the enveloping layer and the internal yolk syncytial layer, reduction and removal of the yolk membrane ahead of the advancing blastoderm margin and deep cell rearrangements between the enveloping layer and yolk syncytial layer to thin the blastoderm. Here, work addressing the cellular and molecular mechanisms as well as the sources of the mechanical forces that underlie these events is reviewed. The contribution of recent findings to the current model of epiboly as well as open questions and future prospects are also discussed.}, author = {Bruce, Ashley E.E. and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, booktitle = {Gastrulation: From Embryonic Pattern to Form}, editor = {Solnica-Krezel, Lilianna }, isbn = {9780128127988}, issn = {0070-2153}, pages = {319--341}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Mechanisms of zebrafish epiboly: A current view}}, doi = {10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.07.001}, volume = {136}, year = {2020}, } @unpublished{9750, abstract = {Tension of the actomyosin cell cortex plays a key role in determining cell-cell contact growth and size. The level of cortical tension outside of the cell-cell contact, when pulling at the contact edge, scales with the total size to which a cell-cell contact can grow1,2. Here we show in zebrafish primary germ layer progenitor cells that this monotonic relationship only applies to a narrow range of cortical tension increase, and that above a critical threshold, contact size inversely scales with cortical tension. This switch from cortical tension increasing to decreasing progenitor cell-cell contact size is caused by cortical tension promoting E-cadherin anchoring to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, thereby increasing clustering and stability of E-cadherin at the contact. Once tension-mediated E-cadherin stabilization at the contact exceeds a critical threshold level, the rate by which the contact expands in response to pulling forces from the cortex sharply drops, leading to smaller contacts at physiologically relevant timescales of contact formation. Thus, the activity of cortical tension in expanding cell-cell contact size is limited by tension stabilizing E-cadherin-actin complexes at the contact.}, author = {Slovakova, Jana and Sikora, Mateusz K and Caballero Mancebo, Silvia and Krens, Gabriel and Kaufmann, Walter and Huljev, Karla and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, booktitle = {bioRxiv}, pages = {41}, publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory}, title = {{Tension-dependent stabilization of E-cadherin limits cell-cell contact expansion}}, doi = {10.1101/2020.11.20.391284}, year = {2020}, } @phdthesis{8350, abstract = {Cytoplasm is a gel-like crowded environment composed of tens of thousands of macromolecules, organelles, cytoskeletal networks and cytosol. The structure of the cytoplasm is thought to be highly organized and heterogeneous due to the crowding of its constituents and their effective compartmentalization. In such an environment, the diffusive dynamics of the molecules is very restricted, an effect that is further amplified by clustering and anchoring of molecules. Despite the jammed nature of the cytoplasm at the microscopic scale, large-scale reorganization of cytoplasm is essential for important cellular functions, such as nuclear positioning and cell division. How such mesoscale reorganization of the cytoplasm is achieved, especially for very large cells such as oocytes or syncytial tissues that can span hundreds of micrometers in size, has only begun to be understood. In this thesis, I focus on the recent advances in elucidating the molecular, cellular and biophysical principles underlying cytoplasmic organization across different scales, structures and species. First, I outline which of these principles have been identified by reductionist approaches, such as in vitro reconstitution assays, where boundary conditions and components can be modulated at ease. I then describe how the theoretical and experimental framework established in these reduced systems have been applied to their more complex in vivo counterparts, in particular oocytes and embryonic syncytial structures, and discuss how such complex biological systems can initiate symmetry breaking and establish patterning. Specifically, I examine an example of large-scale reorganizations taking place in zebrafish embryos, where extensive cytoplasmic streaming leads to the segregation of cytoplasm from yolk granules along the animal-vegetal axis of the embryo. Using biophysical experimentation and theory, I investigate the forces underlying this process, to show that this process does not rely on cortical actin reorganization, as previously thought, but instead on a cell-cycle-dependent bulk actin polymerization wave traveling from the animal to the vegetal pole of the embryo. This wave functions in segregation by both pulling cytoplasm animally and pushing yolk granules vegetally. Cytoplasm pulling is mediated by bulk actin network flows exerting friction forces on the cytoplasm, while yolk granule pushing is achieved by a mechanism closely resembling actin comet formation on yolk granules. This study defines a novel role of bulk actin polymerization waves in embryo polarization via cytoplasmic segregation. Lastly, I describe the cytoplasmic reorganizations taking place during zebrafish oocyte maturation, where the initial segregation of the cytoplasm and yolk granules occurs. Here, I demonstrate a previously uncharacterized wave of microtubule aster formation, traveling the oocyte along the animal-vegetal axis. Further research is required to determine the role of such microtubule structures in cytoplasmic reorganizations therein. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence for the coupling between cell cytoskeleton and cell cycle machinery, which can underlie a core self-organizing mechanism for orchestrating large-scale reorganizations in a cell-cycle-tunable manner, where the modulations of the force-generating machinery and cytoplasmic mechanics can be harbored to fulfill cellular functions.}, author = {Shamipour, Shayan}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {107}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Bulk actin dynamics drive phase segregation in zebrafish oocytes }}, doi = {10.15479/AT:ISTA:8350}, year = {2020}, } @inbook{5793, abstract = {The transcription coactivator, Yes-associated protein (YAP), which is a nuclear effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, has been shown to be a mechano-transducer. By using mutant fish and human 3D spheroids, we have recently demonstrated that YAP is also a mechano-effector. YAP functions in three-dimensional (3D) morphogenesis of organ and global body shape by controlling actomyosin-mediated tissue tension. In this chapter, we present a platform that links the findings in fish embryos with human cells. The protocols for analyzing tissue tension-mediated global body shape/organ morphogenesis in vivo and ex vivo using medaka fish embryos and in vitro using human cell spheroids represent useful tools for unraveling the molecular mechanisms by which YAP functions in regulating global body/organ morphogenesis.}, author = {Asaoka, Yoichi and Morita, Hitoshi and Furumoto, Hiroko and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Furutani-Seiki, Makoto}, booktitle = {The hippo pathway}, editor = {Hergovich, Alexander}, isbn = {978-1-4939-8909-6}, pages = {167--181}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{Studying YAP-mediated 3D morphogenesis using fish embryos and human spheroids}}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-8910-2_14}, volume = {1893}, year = {2019}, } @article{6025, abstract = {Non-canonical Wnt signaling plays a central role for coordinated cell polarization and directed migration in metazoan development. While spatiotemporally restricted activation of non-canonical Wnt-signaling drives cell polarization in epithelial tissues, it remains unclear whether such instructive activity is also critical for directed mesenchymal cell migration. Here, we developed a light-activated version of the non-canonical Wnt receptor Frizzled 7 (Fz7) to analyze how restricted activation of non-canonical Wnt signaling affects directed anterior axial mesendoderm (prechordal plate, ppl) cell migration within the zebrafish gastrula. We found that Fz7 signaling is required for ppl cell protrusion formation and migration and that spatiotemporally restricted ectopic activation is capable of redirecting their migration. Finally, we show that uniform activation of Fz7 signaling in ppl cells fully rescues defective directed cell migration in fz7 mutant embryos. Together, our findings reveal that in contrast to the situation in epithelial cells, non-canonical Wnt signaling functions permissively rather than instructively in directed mesenchymal cell migration during gastrulation.}, author = {Capek, Daniel and Smutny, Michael and Tichy, Alexandra Madelaine and Morri, Maurizio and Janovjak, Harald L and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, journal = {eLife}, publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications}, title = {{Light-activated Frizzled7 reveals a permissive role of non-canonical wnt signaling in mesendoderm cell migration}}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.42093}, volume = {8}, year = {2019}, } @article{6087, abstract = {Cell fate specification by lateral inhibition typically involves contact signaling through the Delta-Notch signaling pathway. However, whether this is the only signaling mode mediating lateral inhibition remains unclear. Here we show that in zebrafish oogenesis, a group of cells within the granulosa cell layer at the oocyte animal pole acquire elevated levels of the transcriptional coactivator TAZ in their nuclei. One of these cells, the future micropyle precursor cell (MPC), accumulates increasingly high levels of nuclear TAZ and grows faster than its surrounding cells, mechanically compressing those cells, which ultimately lose TAZ from their nuclei. Strikingly, relieving neighbor-cell compression by MPC ablation or aspiration restores nuclear TAZ accumulation in neighboring cells, eventually leading to MPC re-specification from these cells. Conversely, MPC specification is defective in taz−/− follicles. These findings uncover a novel mode of lateral inhibition in cell fate specification based on mechanical signals controlling TAZ activity.}, author = {Xia, Peng and Gütl, Daniel J and Zheden, Vanessa and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, journal = {Cell}, number = {6}, pages = {1379--1392.e14}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Lateral inhibition in cell specification mediated by mechanical signals modulating TAZ activity}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.019}, volume = {176}, year = {2019}, } @article{6601, abstract = {There is increasing evidence that both mechanical and biochemical signals play important roles in development and disease. The development of complex organisms, in particular, has been proposed to rely on the feedback between mechanical and biochemical patterning events. This feedback occurs at the molecular level via mechanosensation but can also arise as an emergent property of the system at the cellular and tissue level. In recent years, dynamic changes in tissue geometry, flow, rheology, and cell fate specification have emerged as key platforms of mechanochemical feedback loops in multiple processes. Here, we review recent experimental and theoretical advances in understanding how these feedbacks function in development and disease.}, author = {Hannezo, Edouard B and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {00928674}, journal = {Cell}, number = {1}, pages = {12--25}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Mechanochemical feedback loops in development and disease}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.05.052}, volume = {178}, year = {2019}, } @article{6631, abstract = {The spatiotemporal organization of cell divisions constitutes an integral part in the development of multicellular organisms, and mis-regulation of cell divisions can lead to severe developmental defects. Cell divisions have an important morphogenetic function in development by regulating growth and shape acquisition of developing tissues, and, conversely, tissue morphogenesis is known to affect both the rate and orientation of cell divisions. Moreover, cell divisions are associated with an extensive reorganization of the cytoskeleton and adhesion apparatus in the dividing cells that in turn can affect large-scale tissue rheological properties. Thus, the interplay between cell divisions and tissue morphogenesis plays a key role in embryo and tissue morphogenesis.}, author = {Godard, Benoit G and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {0955-0674}, journal = {Current Opinion in Cell Biology}, pages = {114--120}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Cell division and tissue mechanics}}, doi = {10.1016/j.ceb.2019.05.007}, volume = {60}, year = {2019}, } @article{6837, abstract = {Migrasomes are a recently discovered type of extracellular vesicles that are characteristically generated along retraction fibers in migrating cells. Two studies now show how migrasomes are formed and how they function in the physiologically relevant context of the developing zebrafish embryo.}, author = {Tavano, Ste and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {1476-4679}, journal = {Nature Cell Biology}, number = {8}, pages = {918--920}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Migrasomes take center stage}}, doi = {10.1038/s41556-019-0369-3}, volume = {21}, year = {2019}, } @article{6899, abstract = {Intra-organ communication guides morphogenetic processes that are essential for an organ to carry out complex physiological functions. In the heart, the growth of the myocardium is tightly coupled to that of the endocardium, a specialized endothelial tissue that lines its interior. Several molecular pathways have been implicated in the communication between these tissues including secreted factors, components of the extracellular matrix, or proteins involved in cell-cell communication. Yet, it is unknown how the growth of the endocardium is coordinated with that of the myocardium. Here, we show that an increased expansion of the myocardial atrial chamber volume generates higher junctional forces within endocardial cells. This leads to biomechanical signaling involving VE-cadherin, triggering nuclear localization of the Hippo pathway transcriptional regulator Yap1 and endocardial proliferation. Our work suggests that the growth of the endocardium results from myocardial chamber volume expansion and ends when the tension on the tissue is relaxed.}, author = {Bornhorst, Dorothee and Xia, Peng and Nakajima, Hiroyuki and Dingare, Chaitanya and Herzog, Wiebke and Lecaudey, Virginie and Mochizuki, Naoki and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Yelon, Deborah and Abdelilah-Seyfried, Salim}, issn = {20411723}, journal = {Nature communications}, number = {1}, pages = {4113}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Biomechanical signaling within the developing zebrafish heart attunes endocardial growth to myocardial chamber dimensions}}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-019-12068-x}, volume = {10}, year = {2019}, } @article{6980, abstract = {Tissue morphogenesis in multicellular organisms is brought about by spatiotemporal coordination of mechanical and chemical signals. Extensive work on how mechanical forces together with the well‐established morphogen signalling pathways can actively shape living tissues has revealed evolutionary conserved mechanochemical features of embryonic development. More recently, attention has been drawn to the description of tissue material properties and how they can influence certain morphogenetic processes. Interestingly, besides the role of tissue material properties in determining how much tissues deform in response to force application, there is increasing theoretical and experimental evidence, suggesting that tissue material properties can abruptly and drastically change in development. These changes resemble phase transitions, pointing at the intriguing possibility that important morphogenetic processes in development, such as symmetry breaking and self‐organization, might be mediated by tissue phase transitions. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the regulation and role of tissue material properties in the context of the developing embryo. We posit that abrupt changes of tissue rheological properties may have important implications in maintaining the balance between robustness and adaptability during embryonic development.}, author = {Petridou, Nicoletta and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {1460-2075}, journal = {The EMBO Journal}, number = {20}, publisher = {EMBO}, title = {{Tissue rheology in embryonic organization}}, doi = {10.15252/embj.2019102497}, volume = {38}, year = {2019}, } @inbook{6987, abstract = {Cells are arranged into species-specific patterns during early embryogenesis. Such cell division patterns are important since they often reflect the distribution of localized cortical factors from eggs/fertilized eggs to specific cells as well as the emergence of organismal form. However, it has proven difficult to reveal the mechanisms that underlie the emergence of cell positioning patterns that underlie embryonic shape, likely because a systems-level approach is required that integrates cell biological, genetic, developmental, and mechanical parameters. The choice of organism to address such questions is also important. Because ascidians display the most extreme form of invariant cleavage pattern among the metazoans, we have been analyzing the cell biological mechanisms that underpin three aspects of cell division (unequal cell division (UCD), oriented cell division (OCD), and asynchronous cell cycles) which affect the overall shape of the blastula-stage ascidian embryo composed of 64 cells. In ascidians, UCD creates two small cells at the 16-cell stage that in turn undergo two further successive rounds of UCD. Starting at the 16-cell stage, the cell cycle becomes asynchronous, whereby the vegetal half divides before the animal half, thus creating 24-, 32-, 44-, and then 64-cell stages. Perturbing either UCD or the alternate cell division rhythm perturbs cell position. We propose that dynamic cell shape changes propagate throughout the embryo via cell-cell contacts to create the ascidian-specific invariant cleavage pattern.}, author = {McDougall, Alex and Chenevert, Janet and Godard, Benoit G and Dumollard, Remi}, booktitle = {Evo-Devo: Non-model species in cell and developmental biology}, editor = {Tworzydlo, Waclaw and Bilinski, Szczepan M.}, isbn = {9783030234584}, issn = {1861-0412}, pages = {127--154}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Emergence of embryo shape during cleavage divisions}}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-23459-1_6}, volume = {68}, year = {2019}, } @phdthesis{7186, abstract = {Tissue morphogenesis in developmental or physiological processes is regulated by molecular and mechanical signals. While the molecular signaling cascades are increasingly well described, the mechanical signals affecting tissue shape changes have only recently been studied in greater detail. To gain more insight into the mechanochemical and biophysical basis of an epithelial spreading process (epiboly) in early zebrafish development, we studied cell-cell junction formation and actomyosin network dynamics at the boundary between surface layer epithelial cells (EVL) and the yolk syncytial layer (YSL). During zebrafish epiboly, the cell mass sitting on top of the yolk cell spreads to engulf the yolk cell by the end of gastrulation. It has been previously shown that an actomyosin ring residing within the YSL pulls on the EVL tissue through a cable-constriction and a flow-friction motor, thereby dragging the tissue vegetal wards. Pulling forces are likely transmitted from the YSL actomyosin ring to EVL cells; however, the nature and formation of the junctional structure mediating this process has not been well described so far. Therefore, our main aim was to determine the nature, dynamics and potential function of the EVL-YSL junction during this epithelial tissue spreading. Specifically, we show that the EVL-YSL junction is a mechanosensitive structure, predominantly made of tight junction (TJ) proteins. The process of TJ mechanosensation depends on the retrograde flow of non-junctional, phase-separated Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein clusters towards the EVL-YSL boundary. Interestingly, we could demonstrate that ZO-1 is present in a non-junctional pool on the surface of the yolk cell, and ZO-1 undergoes a phase separation process that likely renders the protein responsive to flows. These flows are directed towards the junction and mediate proper tension-dependent recruitment of ZO-1. Upon reaching the EVL-YSL junction ZO-1 gets incorporated into the junctional pool mediated through its direct actin-binding domain. When the non-junctional pool and/or ZO-1 direct actin binding is absent, TJs fail in their proper mechanosensitive responses resulting in slower tissue spreading. We could further demonstrate that depletion of ZO proteins within the YSL results in diminished actomyosin ring formation. This suggests that a mechanochemical feedback loop is at work during zebrafish epiboly: ZO proteins help in proper actomyosin ring formation and actomyosin contractility and flows positively influence ZO-1 junctional recruitment. Finally, such a mesoscale polarization process mediated through the flow of phase-separated protein clusters might have implications for other processes such as immunological synapse formation, C. elegans zygote polarization and wound healing.}, author = {Schwayer, Cornelia}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {107}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Mechanosensation of tight junctions depends on ZO-1 phase separation and flow}}, doi = {10.15479/AT:ISTA:7186}, year = {2019}, } @article{5789, abstract = {Tissue morphogenesis is driven by mechanical forces that elicit changes in cell size, shape and motion. The extent by which forces deform tissues critically depends on the rheological properties of the recipient tissue. Yet, whether and how dynamic changes in tissue rheology affect tissue morphogenesis and how they are regulated within the developing organism remain unclear. Here, we show that blastoderm spreading at the onset of zebrafish morphogenesis relies on a rapid, pronounced and spatially patterned tissue fluidization. Blastoderm fluidization is temporally controlled by mitotic cell rounding-dependent cell–cell contact disassembly during the last rounds of cell cleavages. Moreover, fluidization is spatially restricted to the central blastoderm by local activation of non-canonical Wnt signalling within the blastoderm margin, increasing cell cohesion and thereby counteracting the effect of mitotic rounding on contact disassembly. Overall, our results identify a fluidity transition mediated by loss of cell cohesion as a critical regulator of embryo morphogenesis.}, author = {Petridou, Nicoletta and Grigolon, Silvia and Salbreux, Guillaume and Hannezo, Edouard B and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {14657392}, journal = {Nature Cell Biology}, pages = {169–178}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Fluidization-mediated tissue spreading by mitotic cell rounding and non-canonical Wnt signalling}}, doi = {10.1038/s41556-018-0247-4}, volume = {21}, year = {2019}, } @article{6508, abstract = {Segregation of maternal determinants within the oocyte constitutes the first step in embryo patterning. In zebrafish oocytes, extensive ooplasmic streaming leads to the segregation of ooplasm from yolk granules along the animal-vegetal axis of the oocyte. Here, we show that this process does not rely on cortical actin reorganization, as previously thought, but instead on a cell-cycle-dependent bulk actin polymerization wave traveling from the animal to the vegetal pole of the oocyte. This wave functions in segregation by both pulling ooplasm animally and pushing yolk granules vegetally. Using biophysical experimentation and theory, we show that ooplasm pulling is mediated by bulk actin network flows exerting friction forces on the ooplasm, while yolk granule pushing is achieved by a mechanism closely resembling actin comet formation on yolk granules. Our study defines a novel role of cell-cycle-controlled bulk actin polymerization waves in oocyte polarization via ooplasmic segregation.}, author = {Shamipour, Shayan and Kardos, Roland and Xue, Shi-lei and Hof, Björn and Hannezo, Edouard B and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {10974172}, journal = {Cell}, number = {6}, pages = {1463--1479.e18}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Bulk actin dynamics drive phase segregation in zebrafish oocytes}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.04.030}, volume = {177}, year = {2019}, } @article{7001, author = {Schwayer, Cornelia and Shamipour, Shayan and Pranjic-Ferscha, Kornelija and Schauer, Alexandra and Balda, M and Tada, M and Matter, K and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {1097-4172}, journal = {Cell}, number = {4}, pages = {937--952.e18}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Mechanosensation of tight junctions depends on ZO-1 phase separation and flow}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.10.006}, volume = {179}, year = {2019}, } @article{308, abstract = {Migrating cells penetrate tissue barriers during development, inflammatory responses, and tumor metastasis. We study if migration in vivo in such three-dimensionally confined environments requires changes in the mechanical properties of the surrounding cells using embryonic Drosophila melanogaster hemocytes, also called macrophages, as a model. We find that macrophage invasion into the germband through transient separation of the apposing ectoderm and mesoderm requires cell deformations and reductions in apical tension in the ectoderm. Interestingly, the genetic pathway governing these mechanical shifts acts downstream of the only known tumor necrosis factor superfamily member in Drosophila, Eiger, and its receptor, Grindelwald. Eiger-Grindelwald signaling reduces levels of active Myosin in the germband ectodermal cortex through the localization of a Crumbs complex component, Patj (Pals-1-associated tight junction protein). We therefore elucidate a distinct molecular pathway that controls tissue tension and demonstrate the importance of such regulation for invasive migration in vivo.}, author = {Ratheesh, Aparna and Biebl, Julia and Smutny, Michael and Veselá, Jana and Papusheva, Ekaterina and Krens, Gabriel and Kaufmann, Walter and György, Attila and Casano, Alessandra M and Siekhaus, Daria E}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {3}, pages = {331 -- 346}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Drosophila TNF modulates tissue tension in the embryo to facilitate macrophage invasive migration}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2018.04.002}, volume = {45}, year = {2018}, } @article{54, abstract = {During epithelial tissue development, repair, and homeostasis, adherens junctions (AJs) ensure intercellular adhesion and tissue integrity while allowing for cell and tissue dynamics. Mechanical forces play critical roles in AJs’ composition and dynamics. Recent findings highlight that beyond a well-established role in reinforcing cell-cell adhesion, AJ mechanosensitivity promotes junctional remodeling and polarization, thereby regulating critical processes such as cell intercalation, division, and collective migration. Here, we provide an integrated view of mechanosensing mechanisms that regulate cell-cell contact composition, geometry, and integrity under tension and highlight pivotal roles for mechanosensitive AJ remodeling in preserving epithelial integrity and sustaining tissue dynamics.}, author = {Nunes Pinheiro, Diana C and Bellaïche, Yohanns}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {1}, pages = {3 -- 19}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Mechanical force-driven adherents junction remodeling and epithelial dynamics}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2018.09.014}, volume = {47}, year = {2018}, } @article{5676, abstract = {In epithelial tissues, cells tightly connect to each other through cell–cell junctions, but they also present the remarkable capacity of reorganizing themselves without compromising tissue integrity. Upon injury, simple epithelia efficiently resolve small lesions through the action of actin cytoskeleton contractile structures at the wound edge and cellular rearrangements. However, the underlying mechanisms and how they cooperate are still poorly understood. In this study, we combine live imaging and theoretical modeling to reveal a novel and indispensable role for occluding junctions (OJs) in this process. We demonstrate that OJ loss of function leads to defects in wound-closure dynamics: instead of contracting, wounds dramatically increase their area. OJ mutants exhibit phenotypes in cell shape, cellular rearrangements, and mechanical properties as well as in actin cytoskeleton dynamics at the wound edge. We propose that OJs are essential for wound closure by impacting on epithelial mechanics at the tissue level, which in turn is crucial for correct regulation of the cellular events occurring at the wound edge.}, author = {Carvalho, Lara and Patricio, Pedro and Ponte, Susana and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Almeida, Luis and Nunes, André S. and Araújo, Nuno A.M. and Jacinto, Antonio}, issn = {00219525}, journal = {Journal of Cell Biology}, number = {12}, pages = {4267--4283}, publisher = {Rockefeller University Press}, title = {{Occluding junctions as novel regulators of tissue mechanics during wound repair}}, doi = {10.1083/jcb.201804048}, volume = {217}, year = {2018}, } @article{10880, abstract = {Acquisition of evolutionary novelties is a fundamental process for adapting to the external environment and invading new niches and results in the diversification of life, which we can see in the world today. How such novel phenotypic traits are acquired in the course of evolution and are built up in developing embryos has been a central question in biology. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) is a process of genome doubling that supplies raw genetic materials and increases genome complexity. Recently, it has been gradually revealed that WGD and subsequent fate changes of duplicated genes can facilitate phenotypic evolution. Here, we review the current understanding of the relationship between WGD and the acquisition of evolutionary novelties. We show some examples of this link and discuss how WGD and subsequent duplicated genes can facilitate phenotypic evolution as well as when such genomic doubling can be advantageous for adaptation.}, author = {Yuuta, Moriyama and Koshiba-Takeuchi, Kazuko}, issn = {2041-2657}, journal = {Briefings in Functional Genomics}, keywords = {Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, General Medicine}, number = {5}, pages = {329--338}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, title = {{Significance of whole-genome duplications on the emergence of evolutionary novelties}}, doi = {10.1093/bfgp/ely007}, volume = {17}, year = {2018}, } @phdthesis{50, abstract = {The Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) pathway determines planar polarity of epithelial cells in both vertebrates and invertebrates. The role that Wnt/PCP signaling plays in mesenchymal contexts, however, is only poorly understood. While previous studies have demonstrated the capacity of Wnt/PCP signaling to polarize and guide directed migration of mesenchymal cells, it remains unclear whether endogenous Wnt/PCP signaling performs these functions instructively, as it does in epithelial cells. Here we developed a light-switchable version of the Wnt/PCP receptor Frizzled 7 (Fz7) to unambiguously distinguish between an instructive and a permissive role of Wnt/PCP signaling for the directional collective migration of mesendoderm progenitor cells during zebrafish gastrulation. We show that prechordal plate (ppl) cell migration is defective in maternal-zygotic fz7a and fz7b (MZ fz7a,b) double mutant embryos, and that Fz7 functions cell-autonomously in this process by promoting ppl cell protrusion formation and directed migration. We further show that local activation of Fz7 can direct ppl cell migration both in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, however, uniform Fz7 activation is sufficient to fully rescue the ppl cell migration defect in MZ fz7a,b mutant embryos, indicating that Wnt/PCP signaling functions permissively rather than instructively in directed mesendoderm cell migration during zebrafish gastrulation.}, author = {Capek, Daniel}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {95}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Optogenetic Frizzled 7 reveals a permissive function of Wnt/PCP signaling in directed mesenchymal cell migration}}, doi = {10.15479/AT:ISTA:TH_1031}, year = {2018}, } @article{678, abstract = {The seminal observation that mechanical signals can elicit changes in biochemical signalling within cells, a process commonly termed mechanosensation and mechanotransduction, has revolutionized our understanding of the role of cell mechanics in various fundamental biological processes, such as cell motility, adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. In this Review, we will discuss how the interplay and feedback between mechanical and biochemical signals control tissue morphogenesis and cell fate specification in embryonic development.}, author = {Petridou, Nicoletta and Spiro, Zoltan P and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {14657392}, journal = {Nature Cell Biology}, number = {6}, pages = {581 -- 588}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Multiscale force sensing in development}}, doi = {10.1038/ncb3524}, volume = {19}, year = {2017}, } @article{686, abstract = {Tissues are thought to behave like fluids with a given surface tension. Differences in tissue surface tension (TST) have been proposed to trigger cell sorting and tissue envelopment. D'Arcy Thompson in his seminal book ‘On Growth and Form’ has introduced this concept of differential TST as a key physical mechanism dictating tissue formation and organization within the developing organism. Over the past century, many studies have picked up the concept of differential TST and analyzed the role and cell biological basis of TST in development, underlining the importance and influence of this concept in developmental biology.}, author = {Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {09254773}, journal = {Mechanisms of Development}, pages = {32 -- 37}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{D'Arcy Thompson's ‘on growth and form’: From soap bubbles to tissue self organization}}, doi = {10.1016/j.mod.2017.03.006}, volume = {145}, year = {2017}, } @article{1067, abstract = {Embryo morphogenesis relies on highly coordinated movements of different tissues. However, remarkably little is known about how tissues coordinate their movements to shape the embryo. In zebrafish embryogenesis, coordinated tissue movements first become apparent during “doming,” when the blastoderm begins to spread over the yolk sac, a process involving coordinated epithelial surface cell layer expansion and mesenchymal deep cell intercalations. Here, we find that active surface cell expansion represents the key process coordinating tissue movements during doming. By using a combination of theory and experiments, we show that epithelial surface cells not only trigger blastoderm expansion by reducing tissue surface tension, but also drive blastoderm thinning by inducing tissue contraction through radial deep cell intercalations. Thus, coordinated tissue expansion and thinning during doming relies on surface cells simultaneously controlling tissue surface tension and radial tissue contraction.}, author = {Morita, Hitoshi and Grigolon, Silvia and Bock, Martin and Krens, Gabriel and Salbreux, Guillaume and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {15345807}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {4}, pages = {354 -- 366}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{The physical basis of coordinated tissue spreading in zebrafish gastrulation}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2017.01.010}, volume = {40}, year = {2017}, } @article{1025, abstract = {Many organ surfaces are covered by a protective epithelial-cell layer. It emerges that such layers are maintained by cell stretching that triggers cell division mediated by the force-sensitive ion-channel protein Piezo1. See Letter p.118}, author = {Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {00280836}, journal = {Nature}, number = {7643}, pages = {43 -- 44}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Cell biology: Stretched divisions}}, doi = {10.1038/nature21502}, volume = {543}, year = {2017}, } @article{803, abstract = {Eukaryotic cells store their chromosomes in a single nucleus. This is important to maintain genomic integrity, as chromosomes packaged into separate nuclei (micronuclei) are prone to massive DNA damage. During mitosis, higher eukaryotes disassemble their nucleus and release individualized chromosomes for segregation. How numerous chromosomes subsequently reform a single nucleus has remained unclear. Using image-based screening of human cells, we identified barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) as a key factor guiding membranes to form a single nucleus. Unexpectedly, nuclear assembly does not require BAF?s association with inner nuclear membrane proteins but instead relies on BAF?s ability to bridge distant DNA sites. Live-cell imaging and in vitro reconstitution showed that BAF enriches around the mitotic chromosome ensemble to induce a densely cross-bridged chromatin layer that is mechanically stiff and limits membranes to the surface. Our study reveals that BAF-mediated changes in chromosome mechanics underlie nuclear assembly with broad implications for proper genome function.}, author = {Samwer, Matthias and Schneider, Maximilian and Hoefler, Rudolf and Schmalhorst, Philipp S and Jude, Julian and Zuber, Johannes and Gerlic, Daniel}, issn = {00928674}, journal = {Cell}, number = {5}, pages = {956 -- 972}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{DNA cross-bridging shapes a single nucleus from a set of mitotic chromosomes}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.038}, volume = {170}, year = {2017}, } @article{804, abstract = {Polysaccharides (carbohydrates) are key regulators of a large number of cell biological processes. However, precise biochemical or genetic manipulation of these often complex structures is laborious and hampers experimental structure–function studies. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations provide a valuable alternative tool to generate and test hypotheses on saccharide function. Yet, currently used MD force fields often overestimate the aggregation propensity of polysaccharides, affecting the usability of those simulations. Here we tested MARTINI, a popular coarse-grained (CG) force field for biological macromolecules, for its ability to accurately represent molecular forces between saccharides. To this end, we calculated a thermodynamic solution property, the second virial coefficient of the osmotic pressure (B22). Comparison with light scattering experiments revealed a nonphysical aggregation of a prototypical polysaccharide in MARTINI, pointing at an imbalance of the nonbonded solute–solute, solute–water, and water–water interactions. This finding also applies to smaller oligosaccharides which were all found to aggregate in simulations even at moderate concentrations, well below their solubility limit. Finally, we explored the influence of the Lennard-Jones (LJ) interaction between saccharide molecules and propose a simple scaling of the LJ interaction strength that makes MARTINI more reliable for the simulation of saccharides.}, author = {Schmalhorst, Philipp S and Deluweit, Felix and Scherrers, Roger and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Sikora, Mateusz K}, issn = {15499618}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation}, number = {10}, pages = {5039 -- 5053}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Overcoming the limitations of the MARTINI force field in simulations of polysaccharides}}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00374}, volume = {13}, year = {2017}, } @phdthesis{961, abstract = {Cell-cell contact formation constitutes the first step in the emergence of multicellularity in evolution, thereby allowing the differentiation of specialized cell types. In metazoan development, cell-cell contact formation is thought to influence cell fate specification, and cell fate specification has been implicated in cell-cell contact formation. However, remarkably little is yet known about whether and how the interaction and feedback between cell-cell contact formation and cell fate specification affect development. Here we identify a positive feedback loop between cell-cell contact duration, morphogen signaling and mesendoderm cell fate specification during zebrafish gastrulation. We show that long lasting cell-cell contacts enhance the competence of prechordal plate (ppl) progenitor cells to respond to Nodal signaling, required for proper ppl cell fate specification. We further show that Nodal signalling romotes ppl cell-cell contact duration, thereby generating an effective positive feedback loop between ppl cell-cell contact duration and cell fate specification. Finally, by using a combination of theoretical modeling and experimentation, we show that this feedback loop determines whether anterior axial mesendoderm cells become ppl progenitors or, instead, turn into endoderm progenitors. Our findings reveal that the gene regulatory networks leading to cell fate diversification within the developing embryo are controlled by the interdependent activities of cell-cell signaling and contact formation.}, author = {Barone, Vanessa}, issn = {2663-337X}, pages = {109}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Cell adhesion and cell fate: An effective feedback loop during zebrafish gastrulation}}, doi = {10.15479/AT:ISTA:th_825}, year = {2017}, } @article{728, abstract = {During animal development, cell-fate-specific changes in gene expression can modify the material properties of a tissue and drive tissue morphogenesis. While mechanistic insights into the genetic control of tissue-shaping events are beginning to emerge, how tissue morphogenesis and mechanics can reciprocally impact cell-fate specification remains relatively unexplored. Here we review recent findings reporting how multicellular morphogenetic events and their underlying mechanical forces can feed back into gene regulatory pathways to specify cell fate. We further discuss emerging techniques that allow for the direct measurement and manipulation of mechanical signals in vivo, offering unprecedented access to study mechanotransduction during development. Examination of the mechanical control of cell fate during tissue morphogenesis will pave the way to an integrated understanding of the design principles that underlie robust tissue patterning in embryonic development.}, author = {Chan, Chii and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Hiiragi, Takashi}, issn = {09609822}, journal = {Current Biology}, number = {18}, pages = {R1024 -- R1035}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Coordination of morphogenesis and cell fate specification in development}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.010}, volume = {27}, year = {2017}, } @article{729, abstract = {The cellular mechanisms allowing tissues to efficiently regenerate are not fully understood. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Cao et al. (2017)) discover that during zebrafish heart regeneration, epicardial cells at the leading edge of regenerating tissue undergo endoreplication, possibly due to increased tissue tension, thereby boosting their regenerative capacity.}, author = {Spiro, Zoltan P and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {15345807}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {6}, pages = {559 -- 560}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Regeneration tensed up polyploidy takes the lead}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2017.09.008}, volume = {42}, year = {2017}, } @article{946, abstract = {Roots navigate through soil integrating environmental signals to orient their growth. The Arabidopsis root is a widely used model for developmental, physiological and cell biological studies. Live imaging greatly aids these efforts, but the horizontal sample position and continuous root tip displacement present significant difficulties. Here, we develop a confocal microscope setup for vertical sample mounting and integrated directional illumination. We present TipTracker – a custom software for automatic tracking of diverse moving objects usable on various microscope setups. Combined, this enables observation of root tips growing along the natural gravity vector over prolonged periods of time, as well as the ability to induce rapid gravity or light stimulation. We also track migrating cells in the developing zebrafish embryo, demonstrating the utility of this system in the acquisition of high-resolution data sets of dynamic samples. We provide detailed descriptions of the tools enabling the easy implementation on other microscopes.}, author = {Von Wangenheim, Daniel and Hauschild, Robert and Fendrych, Matyas and Barone, Vanessa and Benková, Eva and Friml, Jirí}, journal = {eLife}, publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications}, title = {{Live tracking of moving samples in confocal microscopy for vertically grown roots}}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.26792}, volume = {6}, year = {2017}, } @article{676, abstract = {The segregation of different cell types into distinct tissues is a fundamental process in metazoan development. Differences in cell adhesion and cortex tension are commonly thought to drive cell sorting by regulating tissue surface tension (TST). However, the role that differential TST plays in cell segregation within the developing embryo is as yet unclear. Here, we have analyzed the role of differential TST for germ layer progenitor cell segregation during zebrafish gastrulation. Contrary to previous observations that differential TST drives germ layer progenitor cell segregation in vitro, we show that germ layers display indistinguishable TST within the gastrulating embryo, arguing against differential TST driving germ layer progenitor cell segregation in vivo. We further show that the osmolarity of the interstitial fluid (IF) is an important factor that influences germ layer TST in vivo, and that lower osmolarity of the IF compared with standard cell culture medium can explain why germ layers display differential TST in culture but not in vivo. Finally, we show that directed migration of mesendoderm progenitors is required for germ layer progenitor cell segregation and germ layer formation.}, author = {Krens, Gabriel and Veldhuis, Jim and Barone, Vanessa and Capek, Daniel and Maître, Jean-Léon and Brodland, Wayne and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {09501991}, journal = {Development}, number = {10}, pages = {1798 -- 1806}, publisher = {Company of Biologists}, title = {{Interstitial fluid osmolarity modulates the action of differential tissue surface tension in progenitor cell segregation during gastrulation}}, doi = {10.1242/dev.144964}, volume = {144}, year = {2017}, } @article{661, abstract = {During embryonic development, mechanical forces are essential for cellular rearrangements driving tissue morphogenesis. Here, we show that in the early zebrafish embryo, friction forces are generated at the interface between anterior axial mesoderm (prechordal plate, ppl) progenitors migrating towards the animal pole and neurectoderm progenitors moving in the opposite direction towards the vegetal pole of the embryo. These friction forces lead to global rearrangement of cells within the neurectoderm and determine the position of the neural anlage. Using a combination of experiments and simulations, we show that this process depends on hydrodynamic coupling between neurectoderm and ppl as a result of E-cadherin-mediated adhesion between those tissues. Our data thus establish the emergence of friction forces at the interface between moving tissues as a critical force-generating process shaping the embryo.}, author = {Smutny, Michael and Ákos, Zsuzsa and Grigolon, Silvia and Shamipour, Shayan and Ruprecht, Verena and Capek, Daniel and Behrndt, Martin and Papusheva, Ekaterina and Tada, Masazumi and Hof, Björn and Vicsek, Tamás and Salbreux, Guillaume and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {14657392}, journal = {Nature Cell Biology}, pages = {306 -- 317}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Friction forces position the neural anlage}}, doi = {10.1038/ncb3492}, volume = {19}, year = {2017}, } @article{735, abstract = {Cell-cell contact formation constitutes an essential step in evolution, leading to the differentiation of specialized cell types. However, remarkably little is known about whether and how the interplay between contact formation and fate specification affects development. Here, we identify a positive feedback loop between cell-cell contact duration, morphogen signaling, and mesendoderm cell-fate specification during zebrafish gastrulation. We show that long-lasting cell-cell contacts enhance the competence of prechordal plate (ppl) progenitor cells to respond to Nodal signaling, required for ppl cell-fate specification. We further show that Nodal signaling promotes ppl cell-cell contact duration, generating a positive feedback loop between ppl cell-cell contact duration and cell-fate specification. Finally, by combining mathematical modeling and experimentation, we show that this feedback determines whether anterior axial mesendoderm cells become ppl or, instead, turn into endoderm. Thus, the interdependent activities of cell-cell signaling and contact formation control fate diversification within the developing embryo.}, author = {Barone, Vanessa and Lang, Moritz and Krens, Gabriel and Pradhan, Saurabh and Shamipour, Shayan and Sako, Keisuke and Sikora, Mateusz K and Guet, Calin C and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, issn = {15345807}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {2}, pages = {198 -- 211}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{An effective feedback loop between cell-cell contact duration and morphogen signaling determines cell fate}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2017.09.014}, volume = {43}, year = {2017}, } @article{1239, abstract = {Nonadherent polarized cells have been observed to have a pearlike, elongated shape. Using a minimal model that describes the cell cortex as a thin layer of contractile active gel, we show that the anisotropy of active stresses, controlled by cortical viscosity and filament ordering, can account for this morphology. The predicted shapes can be determined from the flow pattern only; they prove to be independent of the mechanism at the origin of the cortical flow, and are only weakly sensitive to the cytoplasmic rheology. In the case of actin flows resulting from a contractile instability, we propose a phase diagram of three-dimensional cell shapes that encompasses nonpolarized spherical, elongated, as well as oblate shapes, all of which have been observed in experiment.}, author = {Callan Jones, Andrew and Ruprecht, Verena and Wieser, Stefan and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Voituriez, Raphaël}, journal = {Physical Review Letters}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, title = {{Cortical flow-driven shapes of nonadherent cells}}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.028102}, volume = {116}, year = {2016}, } @article{1249, abstract = {Actin and myosin assemble into a thin layer of a highly dynamic network underneath the membrane of eukaryotic cells. This network generates the forces that drive cell- and tissue-scale morphogenetic processes. The effective material properties of this active network determine large-scale deformations and other morphogenetic events. For example, the characteristic time of stress relaxation (the Maxwell time τM) in the actomyosin sets the timescale of large-scale deformation of the cortex. Similarly, the characteristic length of stress propagation (the hydrodynamic length λ) sets the length scale of slow deformations, and a large hydrodynamic length is a prerequisite for long-ranged cortical flows. Here we introduce a method to determine physical parameters of the actomyosin cortical layer in vivo directly from laser ablation experiments. For this we investigate the cortical response to laser ablation in the one-cell-stage Caenorhabditis elegans embryo and in the gastrulating zebrafish embryo. These responses can be interpreted using a coarse-grained physical description of the cortex in terms of a two-dimensional thin film of an active viscoelastic gel. To determine the Maxwell time τM, the hydrodynamic length λ, the ratio of active stress ζΔμ, and per-area friction γ, we evaluated the response to laser ablation in two different ways: by quantifying flow and density fields as a function of space and time, and by determining the time evolution of the shape of the ablated region. Importantly, both methods provide best-fit physical parameters that are in close agreement with each other and that are similar to previous estimates in the two systems. Our method provides an accurate and robust means for measuring physical parameters of the actomyosin cortical layer. It can be useful for investigations of actomyosin mechanics at the cellular-scale, but also for providing insights into the active mechanics processes that govern tissue-scale morphogenesis.}, author = {Saha, Arnab and Nishikawa, Masatoshi and Behrndt, Martin and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Julicher, Frank and Grill, Stephan}, journal = {Biophysical Journal}, number = {6}, pages = {1421 -- 1429}, publisher = {Biophysical Society}, title = {{Determining physical properties of the cell cortex}}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2016.02.013}, volume = {110}, year = {2016}, } @article{1271, abstract = {Background: High directional persistence is often assumed to enhance the efficiency of chemotactic migration. Yet, cells in vivo usually display meandering trajectories with relatively low directional persistence, and the control and function of directional persistence during cell migration in three-dimensional environments are poorly understood. Results: Here, we use mesendoderm progenitors migrating during zebrafish gastrulation as a model system to investigate the control of directional persistence during migration in vivo. We show that progenitor cells alternate persistent run phases with tumble phases that result in cell reorientation. Runs are characterized by the formation of directed actin-rich protrusions and tumbles by enhanced blebbing. Increasing the proportion of actin-rich protrusions or blebs leads to longer or shorter run phases, respectively. Importantly, both reducing and increasing run phases result in larger spatial dispersion of the cells, indicative of reduced migration precision. A physical model quantitatively recapitulating the migratory behavior of mesendoderm progenitors indicates that the ratio of tumbling to run times, and thus the specific degree of directional persistence of migration, are critical for optimizing migration precision. Conclusions: Together, our experiments and model provide mechanistic insight into the control of migration directionality for cells moving in three-dimensional environments that combine different protrusion types, whereby the proportion of blebs to actin-rich protrusions determines the directional persistence and precision of movement by regulating the ratio of tumbling to run times.}, author = {Diz Muñoz, Alba and Romanczuk, Pawel and Yu, Weimiao and Bergert, Martin and Ivanovitch, Kenzo and Salbreux, Guillame and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Paluch, Ewa}, journal = {BMC Biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, title = {{Steering cell migration by alternating blebs and actin-rich protrusions}}, doi = {10.1186/s12915-016-0294-x}, volume = {14}, year = {2016}, } @article{1275, author = {Callan Jones, Andrew and Ruprecht, Verena and Wieser, Stefan and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Voituriez, Raphaël}, journal = {Physical Review Letters}, number = {13}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, title = {{Callan-Jones et al. Reply}}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.139802}, volume = {117}, year = {2016}, } @article{1096, author = {Schwayer, Cornelia and Sikora, Mateusz K and Slovakova, Jana and Kardos, Roland and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, journal = {Developmental Cell}, number = {6}, pages = {493 -- 506}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Actin rings of power}}, doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2016.05.024}, volume = {37}, year = {2016}, } @article{1100, abstract = {During metazoan development, the temporal pattern of morphogen signaling is critical for organizing cell fates in space and time. Yet, tools for temporally controlling morphogen signaling within the embryo are still scarce. Here, we developed a photoactivatable Nodal receptor to determine how the temporal pattern of Nodal signaling affects cell fate specification during zebrafish gastrulation. By using this receptor to manipulate the duration of Nodal signaling in vivo by light, we show that extended Nodal signaling within the organizer promotes prechordal plate specification and suppresses endoderm differentiation. Endoderm differentiation is suppressed by extended Nodal signaling inducing expression of the transcriptional repressor goosecoid (gsc) in prechordal plate progenitors, which in turn restrains Nodal signaling from upregulating the endoderm differentiation gene sox17 within these cells. Thus, optogenetic manipulation of Nodal signaling identifies a critical role of Nodal signaling duration for organizer cell fate specification during gastrulation.}, author = {Sako, Keisuke and Pradhan, Saurabh and Barone, Vanessa and Inglés Prieto, Álvaro and Mueller, Patrick and Ruprecht, Verena and Capek, Daniel and Galande, Sanjeev and Janovjak, Harald L and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {3}, pages = {866 -- 877}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Optogenetic control of nodal signaling reveals a temporal pattern of nodal signaling regulating cell fate specification during gastrulation}}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2016.06.036}, volume = {16}, year = {2016}, } @article{1553, abstract = {Cell movement has essential functions in development, immunity, and cancer. Various cell migration patterns have been reported, but no general rule has emerged so far. Here, we show on the basis of experimental data in vitro and in vivo that cell persistence, which quantifies the straightness of trajectories, is robustly coupled to cell migration speed. We suggest that this universal coupling constitutes a generic law of cell migration, which originates in the advection of polarity cues by an actin cytoskeleton undergoing flows at the cellular scale. Our analysis relies on a theoretical model that we validate by measuring the persistence of cells upon modulation of actin flow speeds and upon optogenetic manipulation of the binding of an actin regulator to actin filaments. Beyond the quantitative prediction of the coupling, the model yields a generic phase diagram of cellular trajectories, which recapitulates the full range of observed migration patterns.}, author = {Maiuri, Paolo and Rupprecht, Jean and Wieser, Stefan and Ruprecht, Verena and Bénichou, Olivier and Carpi, Nicolas and Coppey, Mathieu and De Beco, Simon and Gov, Nir and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Lage Crespo, Carolina and Lautenschlaeger, Franziska and Le Berre, Maël and Lennon Duménil, Ana and Raab, Matthew and Thiam, Hawa and Piel, Matthieu and Sixt, Michael K and Voituriez, Raphaël}, journal = {Cell}, number = {2}, pages = {374 -- 386}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Actin flows mediate a universal coupling between cell speed and cell persistence}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2015.01.056}, volume = {161}, year = {2015}, } @article{1581, abstract = {In animal embryos, morphogen gradients determine tissue patterning and morphogenesis. Shyer et al. provide evidence that, during vertebrate gut formation, tissue folding generates graded activity of signals required for subsequent steps of gut growth and differentiation, thereby revealing an intriguing link between tissue morphogenesis and morphogen gradient formation.}, author = {Bollenbach, Mark Tobias and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J}, journal = {Cell}, number = {3}, pages = {431 -- 432}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Gradients are shaping up}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.009}, volume = {161}, year = {2015}, } @article{1817, abstract = {Vertebrates have a unique 3D body shape in which correct tissue and organ shape and alignment are essential for function. For example, vision requires the lens to be centred in the eye cup which must in turn be correctly positioned in the head. Tissue morphogenesis depends on force generation, force transmission through the tissue, and response of tissues and extracellular matrix to force. Although a century ago D'Arcy Thompson postulated that terrestrial animal body shapes are conditioned by gravity, there has been no animal model directly demonstrating how the aforementioned mechano-morphogenetic processes are coordinated to generate a body shape that withstands gravity. Here we report a unique medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) mutant, hirame (hir), which is sensitive to deformation by gravity. hir embryos display a markedly flattened body caused by mutation of YAP, a nuclear executor of Hippo signalling that regulates organ size. We show that actomyosin-mediated tissue tension is reduced in hir embryos, leading to tissue flattening and tissue misalignment, both of which contribute to body flattening. By analysing YAP function in 3D spheroids of human cells, we identify the Rho GTPase activating protein ARHGAP18 as an effector of YAP in controlling tissue tension. Together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognised function of YAP in regulating tissue shape and alignment required for proper 3D body shape. Understanding this morphogenetic function of YAP could facilitate the use of embryonic stem cells to generate complex organs requiring correct alignment of multiple tissues. }, author = {Porazinski, Sean and Wang, Huijia and Asaoka, Yoichi and Behrndt, Martin and Miyamoto, Tatsuo and Morita, Hitoshi and Hata, Shoji and Sasaki, Takashi and Krens, Gabriel and Osada, Yumi and Asaka, Satoshi and Momoi, Akihiro and Linton, Sarah and Miesfeld, Joel and Link, Brian and Senga, Takeshi and Castillo Morales, Atahualpa and Urrutia, Araxi and Shimizu, Nobuyoshi and Nagase, Hideaki and Matsuura, Shinya and Bagby, Stefan and Kondoh, Hisato and Nishina, Hiroshi and Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp J and Furutani Seiki, Makoto}, journal = {Nature}, number = {7551}, pages = {217 -- 221}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{YAP is essential for tissue tension to ensure vertebrate 3D body shape}}, doi = {10.1038/nature14215}, volume = {521}, year = {2015}, }