title: The amphibian embryo: an experimental model for the in vivo analysis of interactions between embryonic cells and extracellular matrix molecules.
abstract: The early amphibian embryo provides an attractive model for the in vivo analysis of cell interactions with extracellular matrix components. During gastrulation, mesodermal cells use an anastomosing network of extracellular fibrils as substratum for their migration. These fibrils contain glycosaminoglycans and non collagenous proteins including laminin and fibronectin. The function of these extracellular components in the mesodermal cell migration process has been inferred from grafting experiments and microinjection of probes such as specific antibodies or GRGDS-containing peptides. Using the amphibian embryo as an experimental system, combination of microsurgical, cell behavioral and molecular approaches will provide new insights into cell-extracellular matrix interactions directing morphogenetic cell movements.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie Expérimentale, URA-CNRS 1135, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Boucaut
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Darribere
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Riou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delarue
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000663:Amphibians / Q000196:embryology*; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D002465:Cell Movement; D016764:Cell Polarity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010063:Ovum / Q000166:cytology