Cellular Mechanisms of Embryonic Morphogenesis in C. elegans
Summary
Embryonic morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans is orchestrated through tightly regulated cell shape changes, intercellular adhesion dynamics and cytoskeletal remodelling. During elongation, epidermal cells generate anisotropic contractile forces via actomyosin networks in coordination with underlying muscle tension transmitted through specialised junctions. Spatial patterning of cortical tension and stiffness guides directional tissue deformation along the antero-posterior axis. Concurrently, junctional complexes assemble and disassemble to permit cell rearrangements, while microtubule arrays facilitate targeted delivery of adhesion and remodelling factors. Underlying these mechanical events are conserved signalling modules, notably Rho GTPase pathways, that integrate biochemical cues with force generation to sculpt the embryo into its characteristic vermiform shape.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Cellular Mechanisms of Embryonic Morphogenesis in C. elegans publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cellular mechanisms of embryonic morphogenesis in c. elegans across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Actomyosin: A complex of actin filaments and myosin motors that contracts to generate cellular tension.
Cortical tension: The contractile force within the thin actin network beneath the plasma membrane that influences cell shape.
Hemidesmosomes: Adhesive structures that anchor epidermal cells to the underlying basement membrane and transmit tensile forces.
Adherens junctions: Cell–cell adhesion complexes that link the actin cytoskeletons of neighbouring cells, facilitating coordinated movement and shape change.
Microtubules: Rigid cytoskeletal filaments composed of tubulin, involved in intracellular transport and organisation of cellular architecture.
References
- The interplay of stiffness and force anisotropies drives embryo elongation. eLife (2017).
- Non-centrosomal epidermal microtubules act in parallel to LET-502/ROCK to promote C. elegans elongation. Development (2015).
- HMP-1/α-catenin promotes junctional mechanical integrity during morphogenesis. PLOS ONE (2018).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.