Vertebrate gastrulation: calcium waves orchestrate cell movements.
A recent study reveals that the propagation of intercellular calcium signals is closely associated with the generation of convergent extension movements during Xenopus gastrulation. Such signals provide a mechanism whereby large populations of cells can communicate to generate orchestrated cell movements.
Tada
M
M
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, UK. mtada@ucl.ac.uk
Concha
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D005775:Gastrula / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology