BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Getting Attached

Role of myosin sub-units in successful embryo implantation in the womb

09 May 2021

Getting Attached

The blastocyst is a structure that develops around the early embryo before it implants into the wall of the womb. It's essential for implantation and is formed through a series of cell divisions. This involves cell machinery that controls contractility, including proteins such as actin and myosin. Researchers now investigate subunits of myosin called non-muscle myosin II heavy chains (NHMC). Using mouse embryos they created mutants lacking NMHC II-A or NMHC II-B or both. They find NMHC II-A caused major defects in cell division, reduced maturation of cells and other morphological defects in the embryo. NHMC II-B mutants had less severe defects. Double mutants had the most severe defects with cell division failing completely in most cases. However, all mutants were still able to create fluid-filled vacuoles, which is part of the normal process of readying the blastocyst for implantation. This reveals that some events involved in pre-implantation are unaffected by defects in contractility but also that NMHC II-A is the major player in regulating contractility in preparation for implantation.

Written by Lux Fatimathas

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.