Oral-Aboral Axis Development

Oral Genes

  • Wnt3
  • FoxA
  • Brachyury
  • Goosecoid

Signaling Pathways

  • Wnt/β-catenin
  • BMP signaling
  • Nodal pathway
↑
ORAL
↓
ABORAL

Fertilization

The journey begins with a single fertilized egg. At this stage, the embryo is spherical with no apparent body axis.

Aboral Genes

  • Six3/6
  • Irx
  • NK2.1
  • Tbx2/3

Morphology

  • Cell division
  • Gastrulation
  • Axis elongation
  • Tentacle formation
Fertilization
Cleavage
Blastula
Gastrula
Planula
Metamorphosis
Juvenile Polyp