New mechanism uncovered for the reduction of emu wings

Professor Mikiko Tanaka from the School of Life Science and Technology at Institute of Science Tokyo , along with her team, including Eriko Tsuboi and Ingrid Rosenburg Cordeiro (both former graduate students at Tokyo Institute of Technology), and current graduate student Satomi Ono, in collaboration with Professor Shuji Shigenobu of the National Institute for Basic Biology, Professor Guojun Sheng of Kumamoto University, and Professor Masataka Okabe of Jikei University School of Medicine, have uncovered a novel mechanism underlying the skeletal reduction and asymmetry of emu wings. Their research reveals that the absence of distal muscle formation results in a lack of mechanostress during development, leading to the observed bone abnormalities. Furthermore, the study identified the presence of muscle progenitor cells with a dual identity, which undergo cell death during the differentiation into muscle fibers, thereby preventing proper muscle formation. This research suggests that variations in embryonic and fetal movement could play a significant role in shaping the body parts throughout evolution. These findings will be published in Nature Communications on September 19, 2024.

Background

The emu is a flightless bird with wings that have undergone significant reduction. Despite this, the precise mechanisms behind the morphological changes in their wings have remained largely unknown. In this study, the research team demonstrated that the skeletal reduction in emu wings is not only characterized by shortening but also by an asymmetric fusion of bones. They identified that these skeletal abnormalities are caused by a lack of muscle formation at the distal wings, which results in insufficient movement during development -- which is required for the shaping the embryonic and fetal skeleton. Additionally, the study discovered that the presence of muscle progenitor cells in emu wings that exhibit a dual identity, combining features of both somite-derived muscle progenitor cells and lateral plate mesoderm cells. These cells undergo cell death during the differentiation into muscle fibers, leading to a failure in muscle formation. The findings suggest that differences in embryonic and fetal movement can significantly influence morphological evolution.

Research Findings

The research team confirmed that the bones of emu wings are not only shortened but also show significant variation in pattern and length between individuals, and even between the left and right wings of the same individual. This distinctive skeletal pattern is linked to the lack of muscle formation at the distal region of their wings, which leads to inadequate mechanical stress during bone development. The study also revealed that the presence of muscle progenitor cells with a dual identity -- combining characteristics of both somite-derived muscle progenitor cells and lateral plate mesoderm cells -- results in cell death during the muscle fiber formation. This cell death disrupts the development of the wing's muscle structure, leading to immobilization and subsequent skeletal abnormalities.

Societal Impact

This study highlights the crucial role that embryonic and fetal movement plays not only in the elongation of skeletal elements but also in the symmetrical patterning of bones. The findings underscore the significant impact that insufficient embryonic movement, particularly in cases of muscle formation defects like those observed in emus, can have on skeletal evolution. The research suggests that environmental factors influencing embryonic and fetal movement could have far-reaching effects on morphological evolution and diversification.

Future Directions

This research has demonstrated the profound impact that embryonic and fetal movement can have on the evolution of skeletal morphology. Moving forward, the team plans to investigate how variations in embryonic and fetal movement might influence skeletal evolution across vertebrates. This groundbreaking study opens new avenues for understanding the role of environmental factors in shaping the evolution of morphology through their effects on embryonic and fetal movement.

Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP20H03301, and JP17KT0106, MEXT KEKNHI JP18H04818, NIBB Collaborative Research Program (21-357), Astellas Foundation for Research on Metabolic Disorders, Mitsubishi Foundation and Yamada Science Foundation to M.T.

Terms

1. Somite : Block-like structures found in the embryos of developing vertebrates. Somites give rise to cells that form muscles, bones, and the dermis of the skin. Typically, the muscles of the limbs originates from somites.
2. Lateral Plate Mesoderm : A portion of the mesoderm located on the outer side of the embyo, responsible for forming the limb buds, body wall, heart, and blood vessels.