Biofizika 2010 Jan 01;556:1094-8.

[Changes in the shape of epithelial embryonic cells of the spur-toed frog upon deformation of the cell layer].

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A quantitative study of changes in the shape of cells of double explants of the tectum of gastrule blastocoele of the spur-toed frog within the first four hours after the artificial bending of explants has been performed. It was found that, on the concave (contracted) side of explants, epithelial cells stretch out, and the apical surface of many of these cells contracts, whereas on the convex (stretched) side they remain isodiometric. The maximal difference between the values of the apical index of epithelial cells located on the concave and convex sides was observed after 4 h of the cultivation of explants. It was shown that, by 2 h, the artificially produced curvature of the bent explant increases. The endocytosis on the concave side is more active than on the convex (stretched) side. The results of experiments with the use of inhibitors simulating the behavior of the actomyosin complex showed that the unimpeded functioning of myosin I is more important for the apical contraction and elongation of cells than the proper structural organization of the actin backbone.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: actl6a