{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: A single-cell atlas of pig gastrulation as a resource for comparative embryology.
{Author}: Simpson L;Strange A;Klisch D;Kraunsoe S;Azami T;Goszczynski D;Le Minh T;Planells B;Holmes N;Sang F;Henson S;Loose M;Nichols J;Alberio R;
{Journal}: Nat Commun
{Volume}: 15
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jun 18
{Factor}: 17.694
{DOI}: 10.1038/s41467-024-49407-6
{Abstract}: Cell-fate decisions during mammalian gastrulation are poorly understood outside of rodent embryos. The embryonic disc of pig embryos mirrors humans, making them a useful proxy for studying gastrulation. Here we present a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of pig gastrulation, revealing cell-fate emergence dynamics, as well as conserved and divergent gene programs governing early porcine, primate, and murine development. We highlight heterochronicity in extraembryonic cell-types, despite the broad conservation of cell-type-specific transcriptional programs. We apply these findings in combination with functional investigations, to outline conserved spatial, molecular, and temporal events during definitive endoderm specification. We find early FOXA2 + /TBXT- embryonic disc cells directly form definitive endoderm, contrasting later-emerging FOXA2/TBXT+ node/notochord progenitors. Unlike mesoderm, none of these progenitors undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Endoderm/Node fate hinges on balanced WNT and hypoblast-derived NODAL, which is extinguished upon endodermal differentiation. These findings emphasise the interplay between temporal and topological signalling in fate determination during gastrulation.