Regulation of tissue separation in the early Xenopus embryo

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The formation of tissue boundaries in the embryo is essential for the establishment of the body plan and for the formation of the organs. Tissues have to develop separation behaviors which prevent cell mixing and define borders between different groups of cells. The early Xenopus embryo is the experimental model we use to study tissue separation. In the process of gastrulation germ layers are established and extensive morphogenetic movements take place in the embryo. The cells of the ectoderm must stay separated from the involuting mesendoderm during these gastrulation movements. Our goal is to characterize the molecular mechanisms which regulate tissue separation in the early Xenopus embryo. We will study the repulsion behavior developed by the ectodermal layer as well as the separation behavior of the endo and mesoderm. In particular we will analyze the role of the Frizzed 7 receptor and Paraxial Protocadherin (PARC) which are components of noncanonical Wnt signaling in the context of tissue separation.