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Left-right asymmetry in the sea urchin embryo is regulated by nodal signaling on the right side.

Authors :
Duboc V
Röttinger E
Lapraz F
Besnardeau L
Lepage T
Source :
Developmental cell [Dev Cell] 2005 Jul; Vol. 9 (1), pp. 147-58.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

The asymmetric positioning of internal organs on the left or right side of the body is highly conserved in vertebrates and relies on a Nodal signaling pathway acting on the left side of the embryo. Whether the same pathway also regulates left-right asymmetry in invertebrates and what is the evolutionary origin of the mechanisms controlling left-right determination are not known. Here, we show that nodal regulates left-right asymmetry in the sea urchin but that, intriguingly, its expression is reversed compared to vertebrates. Nodal signals emitted from the right side of the larva prevent the right coelomic pouch from forming the imaginal rudiment. Inhibition of Nodal signaling after gastrulation causes formation of an ectopic rudiment on the right side, leading to twinned urchins after metamorphosis. In contrast, ectopic activation of the pathway prevents formation of the rudiment. Our results show that the mechanisms responsible for left-right determination are conserved within basal deuterostomes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1534-5807
Volume :
9
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Developmental cell
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15992548
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2005.05.008