Cilia, calcium and the basis of left-right asymmetry

Abstract

The clockwise rotation of cilia in the developing mammalian embryo drives a leftward flow of liquid; this genetically regulated biophysical force specifies left-right asymmetry of the mammalian body. How leftward flow is interpreted and information propagated to other tissues is the subject of debate. Four recent papers have shed fresh light on the possible mechanisms. © 2012 Norris; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.