Guidance of mesoderm cell migration in the Xenopus gastrula requires PDGF signaling.
In vertebrates, PDGFA and its receptor, PDGFRalpha, are expressed in the early embryo. Impairing their function causes an array of developmental defects, but the underlying target processes that are directly controlled by these factors are not well known. We show that in the Xenopus gastrula, PDGFA/PDGFRalpha signaling is required for the directional migration of mesodermal cells on the extracellular matrix of the blastocoel roof. Blocking PDGFRalpha function in the mesoderm does not inhibit migration per se, but results in movement that is randomized and no longer directed towards the animal pole. Likewise, compromising PDGFA function in the blastocoel roof substratum abolishes directionality of movement. Overexpression of wild-type PDGFA, or inhibition of PDGFA both lead to randomized migration, disorientation of polarized mesodermal cells, decreased movement towards the animal pole, and reduced head formation and axis elongation. This is consistent with an instructive role for PDGFA in the guidance of mesoderm migration.
Nagel
Martina
M
Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada.
Tahinci
Emilios
E
Symes
Karen
K
Winklbauer
Rudolf
R
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D004627:Embryonic Induction; D005775:Gastrula / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha