New paradigms in actomyosin energy transduction: Critical evaluation of non-traditional models for orthophosphate release

Release of the ATP hydrolysis product ortophosphate (Pi) from the active site of myosin is central in chemo-mechanical energy transduction and closely associated with the main force-generating structural change, the power-stroke. Despite intense investigations, the relative timing between Pi-release and the power-stroke remains poorly understood. This hampers in depth understanding of force production by myosin in health and disease and our understanding of myosin-active drugs. Since the 1990s and up to today, models that incorporate the Pi-release either distinctly before or after the power-stroke, in unbranched kinetic schemes, have dominated the literature. However, in recent years, alternative models have emerged to explain apparently contradictory findings. Here, we first compare and critically analyze three influential alternative models proposed previously. These are either characterized by a branched kinetic scheme or by partial uncoupling of Pi-release and the power-stroke. Finally, we suggest critical tests of the models aiming for a unified picture.

Unveiling the physics underlying symmetry breaking of the actin cytoskeleton: An artificial cell-based approach

Single-cell behaviors cover many biological functions, such as cell division during morphogenesis and tissue metastasis, and cell migration during cancer cell invasion and immune cell responses. Symmetry breaking of the positioning of organelles and the cell shape are often associated with these biological functions. One of the main players in symmetry breaking at the cellular scale is the actin cytoskeleton, comprising actin filaments and myosin motors that generate contractile forces. However, because the self-organization of the actomyosin network is regulated by the biochemical signaling in cells, how the mechanical contraction of the actin cytoskeleton induces diverse self-organized behaviors and drives the cell-scale symmetry breaking remains unclear. In recent times, to understand the physical underpinnings of the symmetry breaking exhibited in the actin cytoskeleton, artificial cell models encapsulating the cytoplasmic actomyosin networks covered with lipid monolayers have been developed. By decoupling the actomyosin mechanics from the complex biochemical signaling within living cells, this system allows one to study the self-organization of actomyosin networks confined in cell-sized spaces. We review the recent developments in the physics of confined actomyosin networks and provide future perspectives on the artificial cell-based approach. This review article is an extended version of the Japanese article, The Physical Principle of Cell Migration Under Confinement: Artificial Cell-based Bottom-up Approach, published in SEIBUTSU BUTSURI Vol. 63, p. 163-164 (2023).

Consumption of a polarized membrane reservoir drives asymmetric membrane expansion during the unequal divisions of neural stem cells

The asymmetric divisions of Drosophila neural stem cells (NSCs) produce unequally sized siblings, with most volume directed into the sibling that retains the NSC fate. Sibling size asymmetry results from the preferential expansion of the NSC sibling surface during division. Here, we show that a polarized membrane reservoir constructed by the NSC in early mitosis provides the source for expansion. The reservoir is formed from membrane domains that contain folds and microvilli that become polarized by apically directed cortical flows of actomyosin early in mitosis. When furrow ingression begins and internal pressure increases, the stores of membrane within the apical reservoir are rapidly consumed. Expansion is substantially diminished in NSCs that lack a reservoir, and membrane expansion equalizes when the reservoir is not polarized. Our results suggest that the cortical flows that remodel the plasma membrane during asymmetric cell division function to satisfy the dynamic surface area requirements of unequally dividing cells.

Elastomeric Pillar Cages Modulate Actomyosin Contractility of Epithelial Microtissues by Substrate Stiffness and Topography

Cell contractility regulates epithelial tissue geometry development and homeostasis. The underlying mechanobiological regulation circuits are poorly understood and experimentally challenging. We developed an elastomeric pillar cage (EPC) array to quantify cell contractility as a mechanoresponse of epithelial microtissues to substrate stiffness and topography. The spatially confined EPC geometry consisted of 24 circularly arranged slender pillars (1.2 MPa, height: 50 µm; diameter: 10 µm, distance: 5 µm). These high-aspect-ratio pillars were confined at both ends by planar substrates with different stiffness (0.15-1.2 MPa). Analytical modeling and finite elements simulation retrieved cell forces from pillar displacements. For evaluation, highly contractile myofibroblasts and cardiomyocytes were assessed to demonstrate that the EPC device can resolve static and dynamic cellular force modes. Human breast (MCF10A) and skin (HaCaT) cells grew as adherence junction-stabilized 3D microtissues within the EPC geometry. Planar substrate areas triggered the spread of monolayered clusters with substrate stiffness-dependent actin stress fiber (SF)-formation and substantial single-cell actomyosin contractility (150-200 nN). Within the same continuous microtissues, the pillar-ring topography induced the growth of bilayered cell tubes. The low effective pillar stiffness overwrote cellular sensing of the high substrate stiffness and induced SF-lacking roundish cell shapes with extremely low cortical actin tension (11-15 nN). This work introduced a versatile biophysical tool to explore mechanobiological regulation circuits driving low- and high-tensional states during microtissue development and homeostasis. EPC arrays facilitate simultaneously analyzing the impact of planar substrate stiffness and topography on microtissue contractility, hence microtissue geometry and function.

Actomyosin contractility in olfactory placode neurons opens the skin epithelium to form the zebrafish nostril

Despite their barrier function, epithelia can locally lose their integrity to create physiological openings during morphogenesis. The mechanisms driving the formation of these epithelial breaks are only starting to be investigated. Here, we study the formation of the zebrafish nostril (the olfactory orifice), which opens in the skin epithelium to expose the olfactory neurons to external odorant cues. Combining live imaging, drug treatments, laser ablation, and tissue-specific functional perturbations, we characterize a mechanical interplay between olfactory placode neurons and the skin, which plays a crucial role in the formation of the orifice: the neurons pull on the overlying skin cells in an actomyosin-dependent manner which, in combination with a local reorganization of the skin epithelium, triggers the opening of the orifice. This work identifies an original mechanism to break an epithelial sheet, in which an adjacent group of cells mechanically assists the epithelium to induce its local rupture.

Coordination of non-professional efferocytosis and actomyosin contractility during epithelial tissue morphogenesis

In developing embryos, specific cell populations are often removed to remodel tissue architecture for organogenesis. During urinary tract development, an epithelial duct called the common nephric duct (CND) gets shortened and eventually eliminated to remodel the entry point of the ureter into the bladder. Here we show that non-professional efferocytosis (the process in which epithelial cells engulf apoptotic bodies) is the main mechanism that contributes to CND shortening. Combining biological metrics and computational modeling, we show that efferocytosis with actomyosin contractility are essential factors that drive the CND shortening without compromising the ureter-bladder structural connection. The disruption of either apoptosis, non-professional efferocytosis, or actomyosin results in contractile tension reduction and deficient CND shortening. Actomyosin activity helps to maintain tissue architecture while non-professional efferocytosis removes cellular volume. Together our results demonstrate that non-professional efferocytosis with actomyosin contractility are important morphogenetic factors controlling CND morphogenesis.

Integrating comparative modeling and accelerated simulations reveals conformational and energetic basis of actomyosin force generation

Muscle contraction is performed by arrays of contractile proteins in the sarcomere. Serious heart diseases, such as cardiomyopathy, can often be results of mutations in myosin and actin. Direct characterization of how small changes in the myosin-actin complex impact its force production remains challenging. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, although capable of studying protein structure-function relationships, are limited owing to the slow timescale of the myosin cycle as well as a lack of various intermediate structures for the actomyosin complex. Here, employing comparative modeling and enhanced sampling MD simulations, we show how the human cardiac myosin generates force during the mechanochemical cycle. Initial conformational ensembles for different myosin-actin states are learned from multiple structural templates with Rosetta. This enables us to efficiently sample the energy landscape of the system using Gaussian accelerated MD. Key myosin loop residues, whose substitutions are related to cardiomyopathy, are identified to form stable or metastable interactions with the actin surface. We find that the actin-binding cleft closure is allosterically coupled to the myosin motor core transitions and ATP-hydrolysis product release from the active site. Furthermore, a gate between switch I and switch II is suggested to control phosphate release at the prepowerstroke state. Our approach demonstrates the ability to link sequence and structural information to motor functions.

The developing murine kidney actively negotiates geometric packing conflicts to avoid defects

The physiological functions of several organs rely on branched epithelial tubule networks bearing specialized structures for secretion, gas exchange, or filtration. Little is known about conflicts in development between building enough tubules for adequate function and geometric constraints imposed by organ size. We show that the mouse embryonic kidney epithelium negotiates a physical packing conflict between increasing tubule tip numbers through branching and limited organ surface area. Through imaging of whole kidney explants, combined with computational and soft material modeling of tubule families, we identify six possible geometric packing phases, including two defective ones. Experiments in explants show that a radially oriented tension on tubule families is necessary and sufficient for them to switch to a vertical packing arrangement that increases surface tip density while avoiding defects. These results reveal developmental contingencies in response to physical limitations and create a framework for classifying congenital kidney defects.

L-histidine inhibits the heat-induced gelation of actomyosin in a low ionic strength solution

The heat-induced gelation of actomyosin plays a key role in meat processing. Our previous study showed that L-histidine could affect the characteristics of a heat-induced gel of myosin on a low ionic strength. To apply the specific effect of L-histidine to meat processing, the heat-induced gel properties of actomyosin in the presence of L-histidine were investigated. Actomyosin in a low ionic strength solution containing L-histidine did not form a gel upon heating. The dynamic rheological properties of actomyosin in low ionic strength solutions were distinct depending on the presence or absence of L-histidine. Electron microscopy showed that, heated at 50°C, actomyosin in a low ionic strength solution containing L-histidine remained a filamentous structure. The surface hydrophobicity of actomyosin was stable up to 50°C in a low ionic strength solution containing L-histidine. In conclusion, L-histidine might suppress the aggregation of actomyosin and inhibit heat-induced gelation in a low ionic strength solution.

How dynamic prestress governs the shape of living systems, from the subcellular to tissue scale

Cells and tissues change shape both to carry out their function and during pathology. In most cases, these deformations are driven from within the systems themselves. This is permitted by a range of molecular actors, such as active crosslinkers and ion pumps, whose activity is biologically controlled in space and time. The resulting stresses are propagated within complex and dynamical architectures like networks or cell aggregates. From a mechanical point of view, these effects can be seen as the generation of prestress or prestrain, resulting from either a contractile or growth activity. In this review, we present this concept of prestress and the theoretical tools available to conceptualize the statics and dynamics of living systems. We then describe a range of phenomena where prestress controls shape changes in biopolymer networks (especially the actomyosin cytoskeleton and fibrous tissues) and cellularized tissues. Despite the diversity of scale and organization, we demonstrate that these phenomena stem from a limited number of spatial distributions of prestress, which can be categorized as heterogeneous, anisotropic or differential. We suggest that in addition to growth and contraction, a third type of prestress-topological prestress-can result from active processes altering the microstructure of tissue.

Cellular mechanisms of reverse epithelial curvature in tissue morphogenesis

Epithelial bending plays an essential role during the multiple stages of organogenesis and can be classified into two types: invagination and evagination. The early stages of invaginating and evaginating organs are often depicted as simple concave and convex curves respectively, but in fact majority of the epithelial organs develop through a more complex pattern of curvature: concave flanked by convex and vice versa respectively. At the cellular level, this is far from a geometrical truism: locally cells must passively adapt to, or actively create such an epithelial structure that is typically composed of opposite and connected folds that form at least one s-shaped curve that we here, based on its appearance, term as "reverse curves." In recent years, invagination and evagination have been studied in increasing cellular detail. A diversity of mechanisms, including apical/basal constriction, vertical telescoping and extrinsic factors, all orchestrate epithelial bending to give different organs their final shape. However, how cells behave collectively to generate reverse curves remains less well-known. Here we review experimental models that characteristically form reverse curves during organogenesis. These include the circumvallate papillae in the tongue, crypt-villus structure in the intestine, and early tooth germ and describe how, in each case, reverse curves form to connect an invaginated or evaginated placode or opposite epithelial folds. Furthermore, by referring to the multicellular system that occur in the invagination and evagination, we attempt to provide a summary of mechanisms thought to be involved in reverse curvature consisting of apical/basal constriction, and extrinsic factors. Finally, we describe the emerging techniques in the current investigations, such as organoid culture, computational modelling and live imaging technologies that have been utilized to improve our understanding of the cellular mechanisms in early tissue morphogenesis.

Diversity is the spice of life: An overview of how cytokinesis regulation varies with cell type

Cytokinesis is required to physically cleave a cell into two daughters at the end of mitosis. Decades of research have led to a comprehensive understanding of the core cytokinesis machinery and how it is regulated in animal cells, however this knowledge was generated using single cells cultured in vitro, or in early embryos before tissues develop. This raises the question of how cytokinesis is regulated in diverse animal cell types and developmental contexts. Recent studies of distinct cell types in the same organism or in similar cell types from different organisms have revealed striking differences in how cytokinesis is regulated, which includes different threshold requirements for the structural components and the mechanisms that regulate them. In this review, we highlight these differences with an emphasis on pathways that are independent of the mitotic spindle, and operate through signals associated with the cortex, kinetochores, or chromatin.

Cytokinetic diversity in mammalian cells is revealed by the characterization of endogenous anillin, Ect2 and RhoA

Cytokinesis is required to physically separate the daughter cells at the end of mitosis. This crucial process requires the assembly and ingression of an actomyosin ring, which must occur with high fidelity to avoid aneuploidy and cell fate changes. Most of our knowledge of mammalian cytokinesis was generated using over-expressed transgenes in HeLa cells. Over-expression can introduce artefacts, while HeLa are cancerous human cells that have lost their epithelial identity, and the mechanisms controlling cytokinesis in these cells could be vastly different from other cell types. Here, we tagged endogenous anillin, Ect2 and RhoA with mNeonGreen and characterized their localization during cytokinesis for the first time in live human cells. Comparing anillin localization in multiple cell types revealed cytokinetic diversity with differences in the duration and symmetry of ring closure, and the timing of cortical recruitment. Our findings show that the breadth of anillin correlates with the rate of ring closure, and support models where cell size or ploidy affects the cortical organization, and intrinsic mechanisms control the symmetry of ring closure. This work highlights the need to study cytokinesis in more diverse cell types, which will be facilitated by the reagents generated for this study.

Myosin turnover controls actomyosin contractile instability

Contractile force produced by myosin II that binds and pulls constrained filamentous actin is harnessed by cells for diverse processes such as cell division. However, contractile actomyosin systems are vulnerable to an intrinsic aggregation instability that destroys actomyosin architecture if unchecked. Punctate myosin distributions are widely observed, but how cells prevent more advanced aggregation remains unclear. Here, we studied cytokinetic contractile rings in fission yeast cell ghosts lacking component turnover, when myosin aggregated hierarchically. Simulations reproduced the severe organizational disruption and a dead-end state with isolated aggregates and ring tension loss. We conclude that in normal cells, myosin turnover regulates actomyosin contractile instability by continuous injection of homogeneously distributed myosin, permitting functional aggregates to develop but intercepting catastrophic runaway aggregation.

Actomyosin contractile force produced by myosin II molecules that bind and pull actin filaments is harnessed for diverse functions, from cell division by the cytokinetic contractile ring to morphogenesis driven by supracellular actomyosin networks during development. However, actomyosin contractility is intrinsically unstable to self-reinforcing spatial variations that may destroy the actomyosin architecture if unopposed. How cells control this threat is not established, and while large myosin fluctuations and punctateness are widely reported, the full course of the instability in cells has not been observed. Here, we observed the instability run its full course in isolated cytokinetic contractile rings in cell ghosts where component turnover processes are absent. Unprotected by turnover, myosin II merged hierarchically into aggregates with increasing amounts of myosin and increasing separation, up to a maximum separation. Molecularly explicit simulations reproduced the hierarchical aggregation which precipitated tension loss and ring fracture and identified the maximum separation as the length of actin filaments mediating mechanical communication between aggregates. In the final simulated dead-end state, aggregates were morphologically quiescent, including asters with polarity-sorted actin, similar to the dead-end state observed in actomyosin systems in vitro. Our results suggest the myosin II turnover time controls actomyosin contractile instability in normal cells, long enough for aggregation to build robust aggregates but sufficiently short to intercept catastrophic hierarchical aggregation and fracture.

Bisphenol Exposure Disrupts Cytoskeletal Organization and Development of Pre-Implantation Embryos

The endocrine disrupting activity of bisphenol compounds is well documented, but less is known regarding their impact on cell division and early embryo formation. Here, we tested the effects of acute in vitro exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its common substitute, bisphenol F (BPF), during critical stages of mouse pre-implantation embryo development, including the first mitotic division, cell polarization, as well as morula and blastocyst formation. Timing of initial cleavage was determined by live-cell imaging, while subsequent divisions, cytoskeletal organization and lineage marker labeling were assessed by high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. Our analysis reveals that brief culture with BPA or BPF impeded cell division and disrupted embryo development at all stages tested. Surprisingly, BPF was more detrimental to the early embryo than BPA. Notably, poor embryo development was associated with cytoskeletal disruptions of the actomyosin network, apical domain formation during cell polarization, actin ring zippering for embryo sealing and altered cell lineage marker profiles. These results underscore that bisphenols can disrupt cytoskeletal integrity and remodeling that is vital for early embryo development and raise concerns regarding the use of BPF as a 'safe' BPA substitute.

T cell cytoskeletal forces shape synapse topography for targeted lysis via membrane curvature bias of perforin

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) lyse target cells by delivering lytic granules that contain the pore former perforin to the cytotoxic immunological synapse. Here, we establish that opposing cytoskeletal forces drive lytic granule polarization and simultaneously shape T cell synapse topography to enhance target perforation. At the cell rear, actomyosin contractility drives the anterograde movement of lytic granules toward the nucleus. At the synapse, dynein-derived forces induce negatively curved membrane pockets to which granules are transported around the nucleus. These highly concave degranulation pockets are located directly opposite positively curved bulges on the target cell membrane. We identify a curvature bias in the action of perforin, which preferentially perforates positively curved tumor cell membrane. Together, these findings demonstrate murine and human T cell-mediated cytotoxicity to be a highly tuned mechano-biochemical system, in which the forces that polarize lytic granules locally bend the synaptic membrane to favor the unidirectional perforation of the target cell.

Discovery of the regulatory role of calcium ion in muscle contraction and relaxation: Setsuro Ebashi and the international emergence of Japanese muscle research

In the early 1950s Setsuro Ebashi was a graduate student at Tokyo University studying the biochemical models of muscle contraction. The muscle components in these models contracted in the presence of ATP, but what caught his attention was that the components did not relax when ATP was exhausted. Ebashi decided in 1952 to attempt to elucidate the mechanism of muscle relaxation using these models. This decision started a journey that would lead him to be the first to propose the calcium concept of muscle contraction and relaxation in 1961. It was an unpopular theory with biochemists who refused to accept that anything as simple as an inorganic ion, Ca²⁺, could control anything as important as muscle contraction. Ebashi was convinced that he was correct. He proceeded to show that micromolar concentrations of Ca²⁺ activated contraction. In 1961 he discovered the particulate nature of the ATP-dependent relaxing factor (the sarcoplasmic reticulum) and determined that it acted by binding Ca²⁺. Most notably, in 1966 he discovered troponin, the Ca²⁺ receptor in muscle, which mediated Ca²⁺ control of contraction. Ebashi's discoveries were considered the most important in the muscle field since the 1950s. Ebashi had to overcome the doubt of the scientific community. This story is one of great scientific achievement against great odds that marked the emergence of Japanese muscle research onto the international scientific stage.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Setsuro Ebashi proposed the calcium concept of muscle contraction and relaxation in 1961. It was a very unpopular theory. He showed that Ca²⁺ activated contraction and that the sarcoplasmic reticulum caused relaxation by binding Ca²⁺ in an ATP-dependent manner. Most notably, he discovered the receptor that mediated Ca²⁺ control of contraction and named it "troponin." Ebashi's discoveries are considered to be the most important in the muscle field since the 1950s.

Cardiac ventricular myosin and slow skeletal myosin exhibit dissimilar chemomechanical properties despite bearing the same myosin heavy chain isoform

The myosin II motors are ATP-powered force-generating machines driving cardiac and muscle contraction. Myosin II heavy chain isoform-beta (β-MyHC) is primarily expressed in the ventricular myocardium and in slow-twitch muscle fibers, such as M. soleus. M. soleus-derived myosin II (SolM-II) is often used as an alternative to the ventricular β-cardiac myosin (βM-II); however, the direct assessment of biochemical and mechanical features of the native myosins is limited. By employing optical trapping, we examined the mechanochemical properties of native myosins isolated from the rabbit heart ventricle and soleus muscles at the single-molecule level. We found purified motors from the two tissue sources, despite expressing the same MyHC isoform, displayed distinct motile and ATPase kinetic properties. We demonstrate βM-II was approximately threefold faster in the actin filament-gliding assay than SolM-II. The maximum actomyosin (AM) detachment rate derived in single-molecule assays was also approximately threefold higher in βM-II, while the power stroke size and stiffness of the "AM rigor" crossbridge for both myosins were comparable. Our analysis revealed a higher AM detachment rate for βM-II, corresponding to the enhanced ADP release rates from the crossbridge, likely responsible for the observed differences in the motility driven by these myosins. Finally, we observed a distinct myosin light chain 1 isoform (MLC1sa) that associates with SolM-II, which might contribute to the observed kinetics differences between βM-II and SolM-II. These results have important implications for the choice of tissue sources and justify prerequisites for the correct myosin heavy and light chains to study cardiomyopathies.

Rapid assembly of a polar network architecture drives efficient actomyosin contractility

Actin network architecture and dynamics play a central role in cell contractility and tissue morphogenesis. RhoA-driven pulsed contractions are a generic mode of actomyosin contractility, but the mechanisms underlying how their specific architecture emerges and how this architecture supports the contractile function of the network remain unclear. Here we show that, during pulsed contractions, the actin network is assembled by two subpopulations of formins: a functionally inactive population (recruited) and formins actively participating in actin filament elongation (elongating). We then show that elongating formins assemble a polar actin network, with barbed ends pointing out of the pulse. Numerical simulations demonstrate that this geometry favors rapid network contraction. Our results show that formins convert a local RhoA activity gradient into a polar network architecture, causing efficient network contractility, underlying the key function of kinetic controls in the assembly and mechanics of cortical network architectures.

RhoA-driven actomyosin contractility plays a key role in driving cell and tissue contractility during morphogenesis. Tracking individual formins, Costache et al. show that the network assembled downstream of RhoA displays a polar architecture, barbed ends pointing outward, a feature that supports efficient contractility and force transmission during pulsed contractions.

Emerging Role of Mechanical Forces in Cell Fate Acquisition

Mechanical forces are now recognized as key cellular effectors that together with genetic and cellular signals physically shape and pattern tissues and organs during development. Increasing efforts are aimed toward understanding the less explored role of mechanical forces in controlling cell fate decisions in embryonic development. Here we discuss recent examples of how differential forces feedback into cell fate specification and tissue patterning. In particular, we focus on the role of actomyosin-contractile force generation and transduction in affecting tissue morphogenesis and cell fate regulation in the embryo.

A particle size threshold governs diffusion and segregation of PAR-3 during cell polarization

The actomyosin cortex regulates the localization and function of proteins at the plasma membrane. Here, we study how membrane binding, cortical movements, and diffusion determine membrane protein distribution. In Caenorhabditis elegans zygotes, actomyosin flows transport PAR polarity proteins to establish the anterior-posterior axis. Oligomerization of a key scaffold protein, PAR-3, is required for polarization. PAR-3 oligomers are a heterogeneous population of many different sizes, and it remains unclear how oligomer size affects PAR-3 segregation. To address this question, we engineered PAR-3 to defined sizes. We report that PAR-3 trimers are necessary and sufficient for PAR-3 function during polarization and later embryo development. Quantitative analysis of PAR-3 diffusion shows that a threshold size of three subunits allows PAR-3 clusters to stably bind the membrane, where they are corralled and transported by the actomyosin cortex. Our study provides a quantitative model for size-dependent protein transportation of peripheral membrane proteins by cortical flow.

The actomyosin cytoskeleton is a major regulator of cellular organization. Chang and Dickinson develop protein-engineering and particle-tracking tools to study how clustered membrane-bound proteins are transported by actomyosin contractions in vivo. Data-driven modeling reveals how membrane binding, diffusion, and collisions with F-actin contribute to protein movement.

Condensation of the Drosophila nerve cord is oscillatory and depends on coordinated mechanical interactions

During development, organs reach precise shapes and sizes. Organ morphology is not always obtained through growth; a classic counterexample is the condensation of the nervous system during Drosophila embryogenesis. The mechanics underlying such condensation remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the condensation of the embryonic ventral nerve cord (VNC) at both subcellular and tissue scales. This analysis reveals that condensation is not a unidirectional continuous process but instead occurs through oscillatory contractions. The VNC mechanical properties spatially and temporally vary, and forces along its longitudinal axis are spatially heterogeneous. We demonstrate that the process of VNC condensation is dependent on the coordinated mechanical activities of neurons and glia. These outcomes are consistent with a viscoelastic model of condensation, which incorporates time delays and effective frictional interactions. In summary, we have defined the progressive mechanics driving VNC condensation, providing insights into how a highly viscous tissue can autonomously change shape and size.

Extracellular mechanical forces drive endocardial cell volume decrease during zebrafish cardiac valve morphogenesis

Organ morphogenesis involves dynamic changes of tissue properties while cells adapt to their mechanical environment through mechanosensitive pathways. How mechanical cues influence cell behaviors during morphogenesis remains unclear. Here, we studied the formation of the zebrafish atrioventricular canal (AVC) where cardiac valves develop. We show that the AVC forms within a zone of tissue convergence associated with the increased activation of the actomyosin meshwork and cell-orientation changes. We demonstrate that tissue convergence occurs with a reduction of cell volume triggered by mechanical forces and the mechanosensitive channel TRPP2/TRPV4. Finally, we show that the extracellular matrix component hyaluronic acid controls cell volume changes. Together, our data suggest that multiple force-sensitive signaling pathways converge to modulate cell volume. We conclude that cell volume reduction is a key cellular feature activated by mechanotransduction during cardiovascular morphogenesis. This work further identifies how mechanical forces and extracellular matrix influence tissue remodeling in developing organs.

Extracellular hyaluronate pressure shaped by cellular tethers drives tissue morphogenesis

How tissues acquire complex shapes is a fundamental question in biology and regenerative medicine. Zebrafish semicircular canals form from invaginations in the otic epithelium (buds) that extend and fuse to form the hubs of each canal. We find that conventional actomyosin-driven behaviors are not required. Instead, local secretion of hyaluronan, made by the enzymes uridine 5'-diphosphate dehydrogenase (ugdh) and hyaluronan synthase 3 (has3), drives canal morphogenesis. Charged hyaluronate polymers osmotically swell with water and generate isotropic extracellular pressure to deform the overlying epithelium into buds. The mechanical anisotropy needed to shape buds into tubes is conferred by a polarized distribution of actomyosin and E-cadherin-rich membrane tethers, which we term cytocinches. Most work on tissue morphogenesis ascribes actomyosin contractility as the driving force, while the extracellular matrix shapes tissues through differential stiffness. Our work inverts this expectation. Hyaluronate pressure shaped by anisotropic tissue stiffness may be a widespread mechanism for powering morphological change in organogenesis and tissue engineering.