Fig. 6

Epiblast cells require hab to exhibit cell shape changes in a cell-autonomous manner. Optical sections through the exterior (A) and interior (B) layers of the epiblast of live wild-type and homozygous mutant hab embryos at 80% epiboly. Average aspect ratio (length/width) and surface area of wild-type and mutant cells were compiled from the outlines of cells (20-25 cells/embryo) for each layer in a total of three wild-type and four mutant embryos. Cell-autonomous effect of hab on cell shape in the exterior (C) and interior (D) layers of the epiblast. Wild-type or mutant cells were transplanted into the epiblast of a wild-type host and analyzed at the 80% epiboly stage. Transplanted cells are brown due to a fixable tracer. Data was compiled from outlines of donor cells (20-25 cells/host embryo) in a total of 15 chimeras, eight with cells from a wild-type donor and seven with cells from homozygous mutant hab donors. Note that aspect ratios and surface area of transplanted cells are almost identical to their live wild-type and mutant counterparts. Panels are orientated with the animal pole (AP) to the top and dorsal (D) to the right.