(190i) Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of Dynamic BMP Gradient Formation in Zebrafish Embryonic Development

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) play a significant role in dorsal-ventral (DV) patterning of the early zebrafish embryo. BMP signaling is regulated by extracellular, intracellular, and cell membrane components. BMPs pattern the embryo during development at the same time that cells grow and divide to enclose the yolk during a process called epiboly. We developed a new three-dimensional growing finite element model to simulate the BMP patterning and epiboly process during the blastula stage. Quantitative whole mount RNA scope data of BMP2b and phosphorylated-SMAD data are collected and analyzed to precisely test the hypotheses of gradient formation in our model. We found that the growth model results in consistent spatially and temporally evolving BMP signaling dynamics within a range of biophysical parameters including a minimal rate of ligand diffusion.