Convergent extension of ascidian notochord
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“Constructional morphology” is comprehensive approach which includes phylogenetic/historical, functional/adaptive and structural factor, to understand biologic form. In this talk, I emphasize developmental biological viewpoints, which are roughly equivalent to phylogenetic/historical and structural factors. Ascidians are marine invertebrate and they have a notochord in tadpole-larva stage. Then, ascidian is also important taxon to consider evolution of vertebrate. There are many experimental studies of ascidian notochord to understand convergent extension in which cells intercalate each other to narrow the tissue and elongate to another axis. Although several studies based on theoretical models simulated convergent extension, it is not sufficient to consider biological significance. Here, I mention essential factors of convergent extension on ascidian notochord and review planer cell polarity (PCP) pathway as a key signal transduction network. In addition, I demonstrate that simulation mimics convergent extension using Cellular Potts Model. In the near future, I will integrate Cellular Potts Model and signal pathway, and compare them to experimental data. |
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