Morphogenesis during early embryonic development

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I propose to investigate morphogenetic movements during gastrulation by analyzing the chemically induced recessive lethal mutations köpke (kpk) and 24-4-3 in the medakafish (Oryzias latipes). The mutant phenotype is unique among vertebrates: Mutants lack al trunk and tail structures, most likely due to impaired convergence and extension movements from the late gastrula stage onwards. Involution movements and the formation of structures anterior to the hindbrain are not perturbed by the mutations. The aim of the proposed research is to combine the advantages of both model systems medaka and zebrafish (Danio rerio) to analyze morphogenetic movements in wild type and mutant embryos in detail using molecular, cell biological and imaging techniques to better understand the interplay between cell movements and the formation of body structures. In parallel a candidate gene approach will be applied to identify the genes affected by the mutations. Homologues of the affected genes will be analyzed in wild type and known zebrafish mutants affected in gastrulation movements using the strong expertise and perfect infrastructure of the host institute. So far, genes that control morphogenesis and are required for the formation of exclusively trunk and tail structures have not been discovered. The proposed approach using fish model organisms will shed light on the functional interplay of genes coordinating early morphogenesis and tissue/axis formation.