The logic of organogenesis based on cellular morphogenesis and cell motility

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: From molecules, cells to organs : trans-hierarchical logic for higher-order pattern and structures
• Project/Area Number: 22127007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: UENO Naoto 基礎生物学研究所, 形態形成研究部門, 教授 (40221105)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SUZUKI Makoto 基礎生物学研究所, 形態形成研究部門, 助教 (10533193) ; NONAKA Shigenori 基礎生物学研究所, 時空間制御研究室, 准教授 (90435529)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 形態形成 / 神経管形成 / 細胞接着 / 細胞運動 / 機械刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We focused on the neural tube formation and attempted to clarify how individual cells contribute to the 3D tissue remodeling during the important morphogenesis and investigated at the molecular, cellular, tissue-levels, and also considering the involvement of physical forces.
We demonstrated that apical constriction and cell elongation driven by actin dynamics and microtubule's stabilization and bundling are the essential processes for the "folding" of the neural plate of Xenopus laevis. In addition, we also showed that rather rapid migration towards the dorsal midline of deep cells of non-neural ectoderm of both lateral sides that does not normally contributes to the neural plate pulls overlaying superficial layer to generate a force to bring two parallel neural folds and enhance the complete closure of neural tube.

Free Research Field

発生生物学