Conclusion

Question 1

Summarise endomesoderm specification

Answer 1

The genes of the sea urchin micromeres specifiy their cell fates autonomously using cell-intrinsic process and conditionally relying on cell-cell contact/signalling. The original inputs are maternal which then activate genes that specify cell fate. These integrated processes form a complex gene regulatory pathway.

Question 2

Why is sea urchin GRN important?

Answer 2

It provides a unique framework to study the global regulatory interactions underlying endomesoderm specification.