Downregulation of extraembryonic tension controls body axis formation in avian embryos

Daniele Kunz, Anfu Wang, Chon U Chan, Robyn H. Pritchard, Wenyu Wang, Filomena Gallo, Charles R. Bradshaw, Elisa Terenzani, Karin H. Müller, Yan Yan Shery Huang and Fengzhu Xiong ()
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Daniele Kunz: University of Cambridge
Anfu Wang: University of Cambridge
Chon U Chan: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR
Robyn H. Pritchard: University of Cambridge
Wenyu Wang: University of Cambridge
Filomena Gallo: University of Cambridge
Charles R. Bradshaw: University of Cambridge
Elisa Terenzani: University of Cambridge
Karin H. Müller: University of Cambridge
Yan Yan Shery Huang: University of Cambridge
Fengzhu Xiong: University of Cambridge

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Embryonic tissues undergoing shape change draw mechanical input from extraembryonic substrates. In avian eggs, the early blastoderm disk is under the tension of the vitelline membrane (VM). Here we report that the chicken VM characteristically downregulates tension and stiffness to facilitate stage-specific embryo morphogenesis. Experimental relaxation of the VM early in development impairs blastoderm expansion, while maintaining VM tension in later stages resists the convergence of the posterior body causing stalled elongation, failure of neural tube closure, and axis rupture. Biochemical and structural analysis shows that VM weakening is associated with the reduction of outer-layer glycoprotein fibers, which is caused by an increasing albumen pH due to CO2 release from the egg. Our results identify a previously unrecognized potential cause of body axis defects through mis-regulation of extraembryonic tissue tension.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38988-3

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