ccr7 affects both morphogenesis and differentiation during early Xenopus embryogenesis

Dev Growth Differ. 2022 Jun;64(5):254-260. doi: 10.1111/dgd.12790. Epub 2022 May 25.

Abstract

Chemokines play important roles in early embryogenesis, including morphogenesis and cell differentiation, before the immune system is established. We characterized Xenopus laevis CC-type chemokine receptor 7 S (ccr7.S) to clarify its role during early development. ccr7 transcripts were detected ubiquitously in early embryos. Dorsal overexpression of ccr7.S inhibited gastrulation, and ccr7.S mRNA-injected embryos had short axes and widely opened neural folds. Because the Keller sandwich explants of the injected embryos elongated well, ccr7.S might affect cell migration, but not convergent extension movements. Ventral ccr7.S overexpression induced secondary axes and chrd.1 upregulation in gastrula-stage embryos. Animal cap assays showed increased expression of neural and cement gland marker genes at later stages. Ccr7.S knockdown reduced chrd.1 expression and inhibited gastrulation at the dorsal side. Our findings suggest that ccr7.S plays important roles in morphogenetic movement and cell differentiation.

Keywords: Xenopus laevis; ccr7; chemokine receptor; morphogenesis; secondary axis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Embryonic Development* / genetics
  • Gastrula* / metabolism
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis / genetics

Substances

  • Xenopus Proteins