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Ca 2+ SIGNALLING AND EARLY EMBRYONIC PATTERNING DURING ZEBRAFISH DEVELOPMENT
Author(s) -
Webb Sarah E,
Miller Andrew L
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04709.x
Subject(s) - zebrafish , biology , cytokinesis , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , embryonic stem cell , gastrulation , multicellular organism , blastoderm , epiboly , danio , convergent extension , embryo , morphogenesis , anatomy , cell , genetics , cell division , gene
SUMMARY1 It has been proposed that Ca 2+ signalling, in the form of pulses, waves and steady gradients, may play a crucial role in key pattern‐forming events during early vertebrate development. 2 With reference to the embryo of the zebrafish ( Danio rerio ), herein we review the Ca 2+ transients reported from the cleavage to segmentation periods. This time‐window includes most of the major pattern‐forming events of early development, which transform a single‐cell zygote into a complex multicellular embryo with established primary germ layers and body axes. 3 Data are presented to support our proposal that intracellular Ca 2+ waves are an essential feature of embryonic cytokinesis and that propagating intercellular Ca 2+ waves (both long and short range) may play a crucial role in: (i) the establishment of the embryonic periderm and the coordination of cell movements during epiboly, convergence and extension; (ii) the establishment of the basic embryonic axes and germ layers; and (iii) definition of the morphological boundaries of specific tissue domains and embryonic structures, including future organ anlagen. 4 The potential downstream targets of these Ca 2+ transients are also discussed, as well as how they may integrate with other pattern‐forming signalling pathways known to modulate early developmental events.