title: Analysis of cellular behavior and cytoskeletal dynamics reveal a constriction mechanism driving optic cup morphogenesis.
abstract: Contractile actomyosin networks have been shown to power tissue morphogenesis. Although the basic cellular machinery generating mechanical tension appears largely conserved, tensions propagate in unique ways within each tissue. Here we use the vertebrate eye as a paradigm to investigate how tensions are generated and transmitted during the folding of a neuroepithelial layer. We record membrane pulsatile behavior and actomyosin dynamics during zebrafish optic cup morphogenesis by live imaging. We show that retinal neuroblasts undergo fast oscillations and that myosin condensation correlates with episodic contractions that progressively reduce basal feet area. Interference withlamc1function impairs basal contractility and optic cup folding. Mapping of tensile forces by laser cutting uncover a developmental window in which local ablations trigger the displacement of the entire tissue. Our work shows that optic cup morphogenesis is driven by a constriction mechanism and indicates that supra-cellular transmission of mechanical tension depends on ECM attachment.
authors: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Seville, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Nicolás-Pérez
authors: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Seville, Spain.|Centre for Organismal Studies, COS, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Franz
authors: F
authors: Kuchling
authors: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Seville, Spain.
authors: Joaquín
authors: J
authors: Letelier
authors: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Seville, Spain.
authors: Rocío
authors: R
authors: Polvillo
authors: Centre for Organismal Studies, COS, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Jochen
authors: 0000-0001-8550-7377
authors: J
authors: Wittbrodt
authors: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Seville, Spain.
authors: Juan R
authors: 0000-0002-4650-4293
authors: JR
authors: Martínez-Morales
mesh_terms: D000205:Actomyosin / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology*; D000069416:Intravital Microscopy; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D009024:Morphogenesis; D046569:Neuroepithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D000205:Actomyosin
keywords: actomyosin dynamics; cell biology; developmental biology; epithelial morphogenesis; optic cup; stem cells; zebrafish