Regulation of cell migration by BMP signaling

Abstract

A morphogen is a soluble signaling molecule which instructs cellular processes in a concentration-dependent manner. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are morphogens essential for development and repair in both embryos and adults. Preliminary observations in our group suggested that BMP signaling may play a role during fibroblast migration in the developing fin of zebrafish embryos. By introducing BMP inhibitors to chemically block BMP signaling, retardation of fibroblast migration in the fin was observed. However, the exact mechanism of BMP signaling in directing cell migration in the developing fin is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this project is to further investigate the role of BMP signaling in directing cell migration in the fin. In addition to chemical inhibition, BMP signaling was disrupted genetically by establishing transgenic zebrafish that conditionally overexpresses dominant-negative form of BMPR1ba (DNBMPR1ba). This was followed by observing its effect on fibroblast migration in the fin. Our results indicate that disruption of BMP signaling genetically also result in retardation of fibroblast migration in the developing fin, thus implying the importance of BMP signaling in directing migration of mesodermal-derived fibroblasts in the fin.