Elsevier

Developmental Biology

Volume 294, Issue 2, 15 June 2006, Pages 418-431
Developmental Biology

Global cell sorting in the C. elegans embryo defines a new mechanism for pattern formation

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Abstract

4D microscopic observations of Caenorhabditis elegans development show that the nematode uses an unprecedented strategy for development. The embryo achieves pattern formation by sorting cells, through far-ranging movements, into coherent regions before morphogenesis is initiated. This sorting of cells is coupled to their particular fate. If cell identity is altered by experiment, cells are rerouted to positions appropriate to their new fates even across the whole embryo. This cell behavior defines a new mechanism of pattern formation, a mechanism that is also found in other animals. We call this new mechanism “cell focusing”. When the fate of cells is changed, they move to new positions which also affect the shape of the body. Thus, this process is also important for morphogenesis.

Keywords

Cell migration
Cell guidance
Pattern formation
4D microscopy
Bioinformatics

Cited by (0)

1

Present address: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, CB1 2QH Cambridge, UK.

2

Present address: University of Hawaii, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, 41 Ahui Street, 96813 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.