Reference: [ Ссылка ]
Zebrafish embryos have emerged as a powerful model organism for studying various aspects of developmental biology, including cell motility and the actin cytoskeleton. The transparency of zebrafish embryos, coupled with their rapid development and genetic tractability, make them ideal for live imaging studies.
Cell motility is a fundamental process in embryonic development, as cells need to migrate to their appropriate locations to form tissues and organs. The actin cytoskeleton, composed of dynamic filaments, is a key regulator of cell motility. It provides structural support to cells and generates the forces necessary for cell shape changes and movement.
By utilizing live imaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy or time-lapse imaging, researchers can directly observe and track the movements of individual neurons and neural crest cells in zebrafish embryos. This real-time visualization allows for the precise analysis of cell migration patterns, speed, and directionality.
Furthermore, live imaging enables the examination of the dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton during cell motility. Researchers can label actin filaments with fluorescent markers and observe their rearrangements and remodeling during cell migration. This provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cell shape changes and the formation of cellular protrusions, such as lamellipodia and filopodia, which are essential for cell movement.
