Mechanotransductive cascade of Myo-II-dependent mesoderm and endoderm invaginations in embryo gastrulation

Abstract

Mechanical signals regulate tissue differentiation but how this triggers downstream biochemical signals is unclear. Here, the authors place micro-magnets in theDrosophilaembryonic epithelia and show this triggers apical pulsations, in turn stabilizing Myosin-II, resulting in mesoderm invagination.