Dynamic epithelia of the developing vertebrate face.
A segmental series of endoderm-derived pouch and ectoderm-derived cleft epithelia act as signaling centers in the developing face. Their precise morphogenesis is therefore essential for proper patterning of the vertebrate head. Intercellular adhesion and polarity are highly dynamic within developing facial epithelial cells, with signaling from the adjacent mesenchyme controlling both epithelial character and directional migration. Endodermal and ectodermal epithelia fuse to form the primary mouth and gill slits, which involves basement membrane dissolution, cell intercalations, and apoptosis, as well as undergo further morphogenesis to generate the middle ear cavity and glands of the neck. Recent studies of facial epithelia are revealing both core programs of epithelial morphogenesis and insights into the coordinated assembly of the vertebrate head.
Broad California Institute of Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Chong Pyo
CP
Choe
Broad California Institute of Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. Electronic address: gcrump@usc.edu.
J Gage
JG
Crump
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology*; D005145:Face / Q000196:embryology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*