Faster embryonic segmentation through elevated Delta-Notch signalling.
An important step in understanding biological rhythms is the control of period. A multicellular, rhythmic patterning system termed the segmentation clock is thought to govern the sequential production of the vertebrate embryo's body segments, the somites. Several genetic loss-of-function conditions, including the Delta-Notch intercellular signalling mutants, result in slower segmentation. Here, we generate DeltaD transgenic zebrafish lines with a range of copy numbers and correspondingly increased signalling levels, and observe faster segmentation. The highest-expressing line shows an altered oscillating gene expression wave pattern and shortened segmentation period, producing embryos with more, shorter body segments. Our results reveal surprising differences in how Notch signalling strength is quantitatively interpreted in different organ systems, and suggest a role for intercellular communication in regulating the output period of the segmentation clock by altering its spatial pattern.
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, Dresden 01037, Germany.|Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK.
Bo-Kai
BK
Liao
Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, Dresden 01187, Germany.
David J
DJ
Jörg
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, Dresden 01037, Germany.|Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK.|Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Andrew C
0000-0002-3015-3978
AC
Oates
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051881:Receptor, Notch1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019170:Somites / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C561596:Notch1b protein, zebrafish; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C468126:dld protein, zebrafish; C437805:notch1a protein, zebrafish