Differential adhesion leads to segregation and exclusion of N-cadherin-deficient cells in chimeric embryos.

摘要: Abstract Cadherin-mediated cell–cell interactions are thought to be critical in controlling cell sorting during embryogenesis. Here, we report that chimeric embryos generated with N-cadherin-deficient (N-cadherin −/− ) embryonic stem cells develop further than completely lacking N-cadherin only when the myocardium consists of N-cadherin-positive cells. Initially, N-cadherin-negative and -positive mix together form tissues; however, by day 9.5, segregate from wild-type forming distinct aggregates. The have large aggregates myocardial heart lumen, indicating unable maintain contacts myocytes. This sorting-out phenomenon also is apparent somites, neural tube, developing brain where lumenal structures. These studies demonstrate N-cadherin-mediated adhesion for maintaining tissues undergoing active cellular rearrangements increased mechanical stress associated morphogenesis.