LiCl perturbs ectodermal veg1 lineage allocations in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos

Abstract

In normal development the veg1 tier of the sixth cleavage Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryo contributes progeny to both ectodermal lineages and portions of the archenteron. Treatment with 18 mM LiCl specifically affects this lineage allocation, reducing or eliminating the veg1 contribution to ectoderm. Less frequently this concentration of lithium causes the progeny of animal blastomeres to contribute to the archenteron.