We read, post and celebrate preprints.
Contributions from the extracellular matrix in tissue morphogenesis
Mori Y, Smith S, Wang J, Munjal A. Versican controlled by Lmx1b regulates hyaluronate density and hydration for semicircular canal morphogenesis. bioRxiv, doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.07.592968.
READ THE FIRST PREPRINT FROM THE LAB!!!!!
Munjal, A.,*, Hannezo, E., Tsai, T-Y., Mitchison, T.J., Megason, S.G. Extracellular hyaluronate pressure shaped by cellular tethers drives tissue morphogenesis. Cell 184(26):6313-6325.e18, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.025; bioRxiv, doi:10.1101/2020.09.28.316042 (2021) (*co-corresponding author)
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Review on the roles of hydrostatic pressure in tissue morphogenesis
Chugh M, Munjal A*, Megason SG. Hydrostatic pressure as a driver of cell and tissue morphogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol. May 6 2022;doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.021 (*co-corresponding author)
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We made it to the cover of Cell!
Image credit: Sabina Hahn
On the cover: Pressure from the extracellular matrix (rather than forces from inside cells) can remodel epithelial tissues during morphogenesis. In this issue, Munjal et al. (6313–6325) show that hyaluronate swelling can deform an epithelial tissue into buds, and “cinches” from the cells can shape the forces to turn the bud into a tube, revealing an alternative mechanism for tissue morphogenesis. The cover image captures how science at its core is based on the innate child-like curiosity that is common to humans of all backgrounds and lets us understand nature with simple tools (a microscope) and reagents (fish eggs) through collaboration with others. The lily pads on which the children sit represent epithelial tissues deforming under the pressure of water.
Self-organization of actomyosin networks
Munjal, A., Philippe, J.-M., Munro, E. & Lecuit, T. A self-organized biomechanical network drives shape changes during tissue morphogenesis. Nature 524, 351-355, doi:10.1038/nature14603 (2015).
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Banerjee, D. S., Munjal, A., Lecuit, T. & Rao, M. Actomyosin pulsation and flows in an active elastomer with turnover and network remodeling. Nature Communications 8, 1121, doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01130-1 (2017).
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GPCR signaling in polarity of intracellular forces
Kerridge, S.*, Munjal, A. *, et al. Modular activation of Rho1 by GPCR signalling imparts polarized myosin II activation during morphogenesis. Nat Cell Biol 18, 261-270, doi:10.1038/ncb3302 (2016). (*co-first author)
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Review on the role of actomyosin networks in tissue morphogenesis
Munjal, A. & Lecuit, T. Actomyosin networks and tissue morphogenesis. Development 141, 1789-1793, doi:10.1242/dev.091645 (2014).
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