A complex choreography of cell movements shapes the vertebrate eye

摘要: Optic cup morphogenesis (OCM) generates the basic structure of vertebrate eye. Although it is commonly depicted as a series epithelial sheet folding events, this does not represent an empirically supported model. Here, we combine four-dimensional imaging with custom cell tracking software and photoactivatable fluorophore labeling to determine cellular dynamics underlying OCM in zebrafish. division contributes growth, find dispensable for eye formation. depends instead on complex set movements coordinated between prospective neural retina, retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) lens. vesicle evagination persists longer than expected; cells move pinwheel pattern during optic elongation precursors involute around rim invaginating cup. We identify unanticipated movements, particularly central peripheral RPE From data, generate lens subdomain fate maps, which reveal novel adjacencies that might corresponding developmental signaling events. Finally, similar also occur chick morphogenesis, suggesting choreography conserved among vertebrates.