Abstract

We are interested in how shape emerges in the developing embryo focusing in the dynamic functionality associated with Cadherins molecules. In this study we analyze the expression and functionality of classical N-Cadherin along the embryonic-extra-embryonic cell interface during early morphogenesis in killifish embryo. We reveal that N-cadherin transcripts are maternally provided and protein express dynamically covering embryonic deep cells layer (DCL) as well as extra-embryonic structures such as epithelial enveloping cell layer (EVL) and yolk syncytial layer (YSL). Loss of function analysis demonstrate that mitotic cell division is affected. Using time-lapse confocal microscopy we noticed that the splitting of genomic DNA during mitosis is compromised in DN-Ncad derived embryos. Although multinucleate EVL cells are a common feature in this fish specie, EVL derived from DN-Ncad embryos are bigger in size and showed differences in topological distribution of polygonal cell shapes along the epithelia. Thus, N-cadherin seems to play a role during mitosis and the cellular and molecular signaling involved in this functionality will be addressed soon. Furthermore, as E- and N-Cadherin are co-expressed within same cell types understanding the functional crosstalk between will be a necessary step to better understand the complexities of morphogenesis. Funding: ICM P09-015-F, FONDECYT (11170761, 1161274, 1151029, 3130598, 3140447, 11161033, 3140444), CONICYT PAI 79170126, CONICYT PIA ACT1402, FONDAP 15150012, FONDEQUIP (EQM130051, EQM140119).