Jason Jessen Author

Short Communication Open Access

Vangl2 regulates membrane-protrusive activity in migrating gastrula cells

Author(s):

Anna Love and Jason Jessen

Our lab works to determine the mechanism whereby the planar cell polarity (PCP) protein Vang-Like 2 (Vangl2) regulates cell migration during embryogenesis. We focus on the gastrula stage of zebrafish development as the cells naturally undergo PCP-dependent migration. Loss of Vangl2 in trilobite mutant embryos results in a strong convergence and extension phenotype characterized by shortened and broadened body axes. Here, both ectodermal and mesodermal cell populations fail to polarize. Previous data established migrating vangl2 mutant cells lack directionality and meander compared to wild type. We have also shown vangl2 mutants have increased matrix metalloproteinase activity and decreased fibronectin extracellular matrix (ECM). We hypothesize defective cell-ECM interactions underlie th... view more»

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