Notochord vacuoles are lysosome-related organelles that function in axis and spine morphogenesis

135Citations
Citations of this article
207Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The notochord plays critical structural and signaling roles during vertebrate development. At the center of the vertebrate notochord is a large fluid-filled organelle, the notochord vacuole. Although these highly conserved intracellular structures have been described for decades, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in their biogenesis and maintenance. Here we show that zebrafish notochord vacuoles are specialized lysosome-related organelles whose formation and maintenance requires late endosomal trafficking regulated by the vacuole-specific Rab32a and H+-ATPase-dependent acidification. We establish that notochord vacuoles are required for body axis elongation during embryonic development and identify a novel role in spine morphogenesis. Thus, the vertebrate notochord plays important structural roles beyond early development. © 2013 Ellis et al.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Ellis, K., Bagwell, J., & Bagnat, M. (2013). Notochord vacuoles are lysosome-related organelles that function in axis and spine morphogenesis. Journal of Cell Biology, 200(5), 667–679. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201212095

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free