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. 2025 May 1;152(9):dev202931.
doi: 10.1242/dev.202931. Epub 2025 May 1.

Temporal dynamics of BMP/Nodal ratio drive tissue-specific gastrulation morphogenesis

Alyssa A Emig  1 , Megan Hansen  1 , Sandra Grimm  1 , Cristian Coarfa  1   2 , Nathan D Lord  3 , Margot Kossmann Williams  1
Affiliations

Temporal dynamics of BMP/Nodal ratio drive tissue-specific gastrulation morphogenesis

Alyssa A Emig et al. Development. .

Abstract

Anteroposterior elongation of the vertebrate body plan is driven by convergence and extension (C&E) gastrulation movements in both the mesoderm and neuroectoderm, but how or whether molecular regulation of C&E differs between tissues remains an open question. Using a zebrafish explant model of anteroposterior axis extension, we show that C&E of the neuroectoderm and mesoderm can be uncoupled ex vivo, and that morphogenesis of individual tissues results from distinct morphogen signaling dynamics. Using precise temporal manipulation of BMP and Nodal signaling, we identify a critical developmental window during which high or low BMP/Nodal ratios induce neuroectoderm- or mesoderm-driven C&E, respectively. Increased BMP activity similarly enhances C&E specifically in the ectoderm of intact zebrafish gastrulae, highlighting the in vivo relevance of our findings. Together, these results demonstrate that temporal dynamics of BMP and Nodal morphogen signaling activate distinct morphogenetic programs governing C&E gastrulation movements within individual tissues.

Keywords: BMP; Convergent extension; Gastrulation; Morphogenesis; Nodal; Zebrafish.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests.

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