The periodic segmentation of the vertebrate body axis into somites, and later vertebrae, relies on a genetic oscillator (the segmentation clock) driving the rhythmic activity of signaling pathways in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM). To understand whether oscillations are an intrinsic property of individual cells or represent a population-level phenomenon, we established culture conditions for stable oscillations at the cellular level. This system was used to demonstrate that oscillations are a collective property of PSM cells that can be actively triggered in vitro by a dynamical quorum sensing signal involving Yap and Notch signaling. Manipulation of Yap-dependent mechanical cues is sufficient to predictably switch isolated PSM cells from a quiescent to an oscillatory state in vitro, a behavior reminiscent of excitability in other systems. Together, our work argues that the segmentation clock behaves as an excitable system, introducing a broader paradigm to study such dynamics in vertebrate morphogenesis.

中文翻译：

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令人兴奋的动态特性和取决于Yap的机械提示驱动分段时钟。

脊椎动物的身体轴的周期性分割成节节，然后是椎骨，依靠遗传振荡器（分割时钟）来驱动早熟中胚层（PSM）中信号通路的节律性活动。为了了解振荡是单个细胞的固有特性还是代表种群水平的现象，我们建立了在细胞水平上稳定振荡的培养条件。该系统用于证明振荡是PSM细胞的集体特性，可以通过涉及Yap和Notch信号的动态群体感应信号在体外主动触发。依赖Yap的机械提示足以在体外以可预测的方式将分离的PSM细胞从静止状态转换为振荡状态，这种行为让人联想到其他系统中的兴奋性。一起，