Compared with the mesoderm, endoderm convergence and extension (C&E) events remain elusive. Now, Fang Lin and colleagues employ high-resolution imaging of a zebrafish sox17-reporter line to study endoderm C&E. They show that, during segmentation (6–12 somites), while migrating towards the midline, endoderm cells elongate and polarise along the mediolateral axis and intercalate. Then, between 12 and 18 somites, endoderm cells migrate ventrally and constrict apically to form a rod-like structure that later develops into the gut tube. Glypican 4 (Gpc4), which influences Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling, is required for the planar polarisation of endodermal cells, because cell polarity and intercalation are impaired in gpc4–/– embryos. gpc4 deficiency disrupts Wnt/PCP signalling in endoderm cells, as determined by the loss of the anterior localisation of Vangl2 (a PCP component). In addition, gpc4-/- embryos exhibit increased cell-cell adhesion and Cadherin 2 (Cdh2) localisation at the membrane. The authors demonstrate that gpc4-/- embryos have decreased rab5c expression, which is required for Cdh2 endocytosis at the membrane. Importantly, Rab5c overexpression or Cdh2 suppression in gpc4-/- embryos partially rescues the endoderm defects. Taken together, these data indicate a model in which Gpc4-dependent Rab5c-mediated endocytosis of Cdh2 promotes cell intercalation and polarisation for endoderm C&E.
Convergence and extension in the endoderm
Convergence and extension in the endoderm. Development 15 July 2021; 148 (14): e148_e1401. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development Journal Meeting 2023
-DevMeeting.png?versionId=4659)
We are delighted to announce that our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Unconventional and Emerging Experimental Organisms in Cell and Developmental Biology’ will be held from 17-20 September 2023 at Wotton House, Surrey, UK. Find out more and register here.
Call for papers: Metabolic and Nutritional Control of Development and Regeneration

We are welcoming submissions for our next special issue, which will focus on metabolic and nutritional control of development and regeneration. Submission deadline: 15 May 2023.
preLights 5th Birthday webinar

preLights, our preprint highlighting service, is celebrating its 5th birthday this year. To mark the occasion, join us online on 14 March 2023 at 16:00 GMT for a discussion, led by four preLights alumni, on how to identify and navigate the challenges and opportunities while shaping your career as an early-career researcher.
Transitions in development: Daniel Grimes

Daniel Grimes’s lab studies the consequences of ciliary mutations, including left-right patterning defects and scoliosis. We interviewed Daniel to find out more about his career path, his experience of becoming a group leader and the influence of Jurassic Park.
Preprints in Development
(update)-InPreprints.png?versionId=4659)
As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context.