Metabolism is a crucial process that powers the growth and development of embryos, as recently discovered by scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). While pregnant women focus on consuming a balanced diet and supplements to provide essential nutrients to their babies during pregnancy, researchers found that metabolism plays a more intricate role than just providing energy and cellular building blocks.
In a groundbreaking study, EMBL scientists observed that as metabolism increased, a specific developmental clock known as the segmentation clock slowed down. This unexpected connection led the researchers to investigate the signaling component of metabolism during embryonic development. By manipulating metabolism in a precise manner, they identified a signaling metabolite that controlled the tempo of development.
The study, conducted on mouse embryos forming repeating body segments that eventually develop into spines, revealed that certain metabolites, even in small quantities insufficient to fuel cells, could influence the segmentation clock. This clock regulates the formation of body segments and is crucial for proper development.
Interestingly, the scientists noted an inverse relationship between metabolic activity and the tempo of the segmentation clock. Higher metabolic activity resulted in a slower segmentation clock. By restoring cellular signaling without directly modulating metabolism, the researchers were able to reverse the “slow clock” phenotype, indicating that metabolic activity impacts cell signaling.
Through an experimental approach based on synchronization theory, the scientists identified a specific sugar molecule, FBP, as the key metabolite regulating the segmentation clock. FBP affected the rhythm of the segmentation clock through the Wnt signaling pathway, further highlighting the intricate relationship between metabolism and development.
As the research team tracked changes in molecular oscillations associated with the segmentation clock, they observed alterations in the spatial patterns of the embryo’s body segments. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how organisms respond to their environment and adapt development based on available resources.
The findings of this study not only contribute to fundamental research but also raise intriguing questions about the role of metabolism as a pacemaker connecting internal biological clocks with external environmental rhythms. The researchers, led by senior author Alexander Aulehla, Director of EMBL’s Developmental Biology Unit, plan to further investigate how metabolism influences biological clocks in future studies.
This groundbreaking research, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the multifaceted role of metabolism in embryonic development and opens new avenues for understanding the intricate mechanisms that govern growth and patterning in embryos. The study underscores the importance of metabolism not only as a source of energy but also as a key player in signaling pathways that regulate developmental processes.
