PUBLICATION

Rigidity percolation uncovers a structural basis for embryonic tissue phase transitions

Authors
Petridou, N.I., Corominas-Murtra, B., Heisenberg, C.P., Hannezo, E.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210319-8
Date
2021
Source
Cell   184(7): 1914-1928.e19 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Heisenberg, Carl-Philipp
Keywords
cell adhesion, cell mechanics, cell-contact network, embryo morphogenesis, phase transition, rigidity percolation, tissue rheology
MeSH Terms
  • Morpholinos/metabolism
  • Blastoderm/cytology
  • Blastoderm/physiology
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/cytology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology*
  • Rheology
  • Cadherins/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cadherins/genetics
  • Cadherins/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Zebrafish/growth & development
  • Embryonic Development*
  • Viscosity
(all 14)
PubMed
33730596 Full text @ Cell
Abstract
Embryo morphogenesis is impacted by dynamic changes in tissue material properties, which have been proposed to occur via processes akin to phase transitions (PTs). Here, we show that rigidity percolation provides a simple and robust theoretical framework to predict material/structural PTs of embryonic tissues from local cell connectivity. By using percolation theory, combined with directly monitoring dynamic changes in tissue rheology and cell contact mechanics, we demonstrate that the zebrafish blastoderm undergoes a genuine rigidity PT, brought about by a small reduction in adhesion-dependent cell connectivity below a critical value. We quantitatively predict and experimentally verify hallmarks of PTs, including power-law exponents and associated discontinuities of macroscopic observables. Finally, we show that this uniform PT depends on blastoderm cells undergoing meta-synchronous divisions causing random and, consequently, uniform changes in cell connectivity. Collectively, our theoretical and experimental findings reveal the structural basis of material PTs in an organismal context.
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Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
tx226
    		Point Mutation
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    Sequence Targeting Reagents
    Target Reagent Reagent Type
    cdh1MO4-cdh1MRPHLNO
    sox32MO1-sox32MRPHLNO
    1 - 2 of 2
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    Citation
    Petridou, N.I., Corominas-Murtra, B., Heisenberg, C.P., Hannezo, E. (2021) Rigidity percolation uncovers a structural basis for embryonic tissue phase transitions. Cell. 184(7):1914-1928.e19.