Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Composite images of P0 mouse kidneys immunostained for GFP (lineage tracer; green), Lotus lectin (proximal tubules; blue), Krt18 (collecting ducts; purple) and Notch2 (red; except for top-left image, in which Slc12a3 is in red). Top: two control kidneys. Bottom: one kidney (mirrored) in which Notch2 was removed from nephron progenitors. Images not to scale. See Research article by Duvall et al. (dev200446).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
DEVELOPMENTAL TWISTS
SPOTLIGHT
Single-cell RNA-sequencing of mammalian brain development: insights and future directions
Summary: This Spotlight summarizes and discusses single-cell RNA-sequencing studies on mammalian brains, highlighting the remaining gaps and proposing future directions for human brain development research.
REVIEW
Focal adhesion-mediated cell anchoring and migration: from in vitro to in vivo
Summary: This Review summarizes the formation and function of focal adhesions, highlighting similarities and differences in how these macromolecular assemblies are used in in vitro and in vivo contexts.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION
DNA methylation safeguards the generation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by repression of Notch signaling
Summary: Multi-omics approaches and functional assays reveal global DNA methylome dynamics and an indispensable role of DNA methyltransferase 1 in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell generation through repression of Notch signaling.
Aldh2 is a lineage-specific metabolic gatekeeper in melanocyte stem cells
Highlighted Article: In zebrafish melanocyte regeneration, quiescent McSCs respond by re-expressing a neural crest identity, followed by an Aldh2-dependent metabolic switch to generate progeny.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Identification of fibroblast progenitors in the developing mouse thymus
Highlighted Article: This study resolves previously unidentified subsets of immature and mature thymic fibroblasts, providing further evidence that their homeostasis is controlled by signals provided by developing thymocytes.
Distinct contributions of ECM proteins to basement membrane mechanical properties in Drosophila
Summary: The mechanical properties of the basement membrane of Drosophila egg chambers are mainly determined by Collagen IV.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Presenilin enhancer 2 is crucial for the transition of apical progenitors into neurons but into not basal progenitors in the developing hippocampus
Summary: Pen2 is critical for the fate determination of apical progenitors (APs) in the hippocampal neuroepithelium. Pen2 governs the transition of APs to neurons through the γ-secretase/Notch/NeuroD1 pathway.
Sperm-specific glycogen synthase kinase 3 is required for sperm motility and the post-fertilization signal for female meiosis II in Caenorhabditis elegans
Summary: GSK3 kinases are required for sperm motility and are part of a sperm-derived signal that triggers the completion of female meiosis after fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans.
PPP4C facilitates homologous recombination DNA repair by dephosphorylating PLK1 during early embryo development
Summary: The interaction between kinases and phosphatases during the DNA damage response, and the regulatory mechanism that exists between the DNA damage checkpoint and the cell cycle.
A unique form of collective epithelial migration is crucial for tissue fusion in the secondary palate and can overcome loss of epithelial apoptosis
Highlighted Article: multiple cellular processes mediate secondary palate fusion, including a unique form of streaming collective epithelial migration driven by pulsatile actomyosin contractility.
Systematic expression profiling of Dpr and DIP genes reveals cell surface codes in Drosophila larval motor and sensory neurons
Summary: Using a range of reporter lines, expression maps of synaptic recognition molecules have been generated, which may provide insights into their function in Drosophila nervous system development.
The Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein modulates the neuronal cytoskeleton to limit dendritic arborization
Summary: Fragile X mental retardation protein regulates sensory neurons dendrite branching morphogenesis through effects on microtubule dynamics and stability, as well by controlling dendritic localization and expression of the actin regulator Chickadee.
The genetic basis of natural variation in the timing of vegetative phase change in Arabidopsis thaliana
Summary: Analysis of 70 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions reveals that natural variation in vegetative phase change is attributable both to miR156 and to genes that regulate vegetative traits independently of miR156.
Revisiting the role of Notch in nephron segmentation confirms a role for proximal fate selection during mouse and human nephrogenesis
Summary: Notch signaling acts in nephron segmentation to select early proximal, but not distal, tubule fate downstream of a global role in promoting epithelial growth and maturation in mouse and human.
Phytochrome-interacting factors orchestrate hypocotyl adventitious root initiation in Arabidopsis
Summary: Phytochrome-interacting factors orchestrate development of hypocotyl adventitious root by simultaneously activating genes involved in auxin biosynthesis, auxin transport and the transcriptional control of root primordium initiation.
‘Neighbourhood watch’ model: embryonic epiblast cells assess positional information in relation to their neighbours
Highlighted Article: In a large developing system, the chick embryo before gastrulation, cells may interpret gradients of positional signals relative to their neighbours to position the primitive streak, establishing bilateral symmetry.
Lmo7 recruits myosin II heavy chain to regulate actomyosin contractility and apical domain size in Xenopus ectoderm
Summary: Lmo7, an adaptor protein at apical junctions, triggers apical constriction by promoting non-muscle myosin II incorporation into actomyosin networks in Xenopus.
Functions of the FGF signalling pathway in cephalochordates provide insight into the evolution of the prechordal plate
Summary: FGF signalling inhibition in cephalochordates induces a loss of anteriormost somites. After FGFR inhibition, the presomitic anterior region cells are incorporated in the anterior notochord which transiently present prechordal plate features.
CORRECTION
Correction: Wt1 transcription factor impairs cardiomyocyte specification and drives a phenotypic switch from myocardium to epicardium
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register your interest to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Pathway to independence: perspectives on the future
In this Perspective, our second cohort of Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows showcase their research interests and thoughts on the future of the field of developmental biology. These talented postdocs cover topics as diverse as plant development, tissue engineering and adaptation to climate change. Look out for an announcement about the next call for applications later this year to become a Pathway to Independence fellow.
Development presents…
Development is excited to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are chaired each month by a different Development Editor, who invites talks from authors of exciting new papers and preprints. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which topics are coming up and to catch up on recordings of past webinars.
The fascinating world of developmental biology
Development, British Society of Developmental Biology and Cambridge Filmworks teamed up to produce a documentary showcasing the wonder and the importance of the developmental biology field. We hope this video will help to promote our field and inspire the next generation of developmental biologists. We invite you to watch, enjoy and – most importantly - share this movie.
Modelling Plant Stem Cells: Evolution, Development and Regeneration
Early-career researchers can now apply for a funded place for the Modelling Plant Stem Cells: Evolution, Development and Regeneration Workshop happening on 18-21 May 2025. This is a great opportunity that could enhance your career in various ways. Application deadline: Friday 15 November 2024.