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Live imaging and morphometric analysis of embryonic development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Author(s) -
Rhee Jerry M.,
OdaIshii Izumi,
Passamaneck Yale J.,
Hadjantonakis AnnaKaterina,
Di Gregorio Anna
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/gene.20164
Subject(s) - ciona , ciona intestinalis , notochord , convergent extension , chordate , biology , neurulation , gastrulation , live cell imaging , microbiology and biotechnology , fate mapping , model organism , embryogenesis , morphogenesis , anatomy , embryonic stem cell , embryo , genetics , vertebrate , cell , gene
The ascidian Ciona intestinalis is one of the model organisms of choice for comparative investigations of chordate development and for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis and cell fate specification. Taking advantage of the availability of various genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and of defined cis ‐regulatory elements, we combined transient transgenesis with laser scanning confocal imaging to acquire and quantitate 3D time‐lapse data from living Ciona embryos. We used Ciona tissue‐specific enhancers to drive expression of spectrally distinct fluorescent protein reporters to label and simultaneously visualize axially and paraxially positioned mesodermal derivatives, as well as neural precursors in individual embryos. We observed morphogenetic movements, without perturbing development, from the early gastrula throughout the larval stage, including gastrulation, neurulation, convergent extension of the presumptive notochord, and tail elongation. These multidimensional data allowed us to establish a reference system of metrics to quantify key developmental events including blastopore closure and muscle extension. The approach we describe can be used to document morphogenetic cell and tissue rearrangements in living embryos and paves the way for a live digitized anatomical atlas of Ciona . genesis 43:136–147, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.