title: Convergent extension: using collective cell migration and cell intercalation to shape embryos.
abstract: Body axis elongation represents a common and fundamental morphogenetic process in development. A key mechanism triggering body axis elongation without additional growth is convergent extension (CE), whereby a tissue undergoes simultaneous narrowing and extension. Both collective cell migration and cell intercalation are thought to drive CE and are used to different degrees in various species as they elongate their body axis. Here, we provide an overview of CE as a general strategy for body axis elongation and discuss conserved and divergent mechanisms underlying CE among different species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. m.tada@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Masazumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Carl-Philipp
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Heisenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D014982:Xenopus laevis; D015027:Zebrafish