Technical Reference #1559

1559.

Blastocyst Axis Is Specified Independently Of Early Cell Lineage But Aligns With The Zp Shape Yoko Kurotaki; Kohei Hatta; Kazuki Nakao; Yo-ichi Nabeshima; Toshihiko Fujimori*, LMLS, Science, 316(1559), (2007)
Link To Paper

Abstract:
The mechanisms controlling the establishment of the embryonic-abembryonic (E-Ab) axis of the mammalian blastocyst are controversial. We used in vitro time-lapse imaging and in vivo lineage labeling to provide evidence that the E-Ab axis of the mouse blastocyst is generated independently of early cell lineage. Rather both the boundary between two-cell blastomeres and the E-Ab axis of the blastocyst align relative to the ellipsoidal shape of the zona pellucida (ZP) an extraembryonic structure. Lack of correlation between cell lineage and the E-Ab axis can be explained by the rotation of the embryo within the ZP.

Microscopic Technique
Confocal Microscopy, Laser Scanning

Cell Type(s)
H2B