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Biophys. J. BioFAST: First Published July 22, 2005. doi:10.1529/biophysj.105.063743
© 2005 by the Biophysical Society.

A more recent version of this article appeared on October 1, 2005.
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BIOPHYSICAL THEORY AND MODELING

Nodal Cilia Dynamics and the Specification of the Left/Right Axis in Early Vertebrate Embryo Development

Javier Buceta 1*, Marta Ibañes 2, Diego Rasskin-Gutman 2, Yasushi Okada 3, Nobutaka Hirokawa 3 and Juan Carlos Izpisua-Belmonte 2

1 Centre de Recerca en Química Teòrica (CeRQT), Parc Científic de Barcelona
2 Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
3 Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jbuceta{at}pcb.ub.es.

Submitted on March 29, 2005
Revised on May 11, 2005
Accepted on 16 June 2005


  Abstract
Nodal cilia dynamics is a key factor for Left/Right (L/R) axis determination in mouse embryos through the induction of a leftward fluid flow. So far it has not been clearly established how such dynamics is able to induce the asymmetric leftward flow within the node. Herein we propose that an asymmetric two-phase non-planar beating cilia dynamics that involves the bending of the ciliar axoneme is responsible for the leftward fluid flow. We support our proposal with a host of hydrodynamic arguments, in silico experiments and in vivo video microscopy data in wild type embryos and inv mutants. Our phenomenological modeling approach underscores how the asymmetry and speed of the flow depends on different relevant parameters. In addition, we discuss how the combination of internal and external mechanisms might cause the two-phase beating cilia dynamics.

Key Words: Computational Biology, Embryo Development, Left-Right Symmetry Breaking, Nodal Cilia




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The roles of cilia in developmental disorders and disease
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 2005 by the Biophysical Society.