Bidirectional redistribution of actomyosin drives epithelial invagination in ascidian siphon tube morphogenesis

How epithelia perform a spatiotemporal heterogeneous force-generating program to drive a sequential tissue morphogenesis remains unclear, particularly the underlying precise mechanical mechanisms. This study investigated dynamic actomyosin reorganization between apical and lateral membrane cortex regions during two sequentially invaginated stages of atrial siphon tube morphogenesis in the ascidian Ciona . At the initial invagination stage, the originally lateral-located actomyosin redistributed to the apical domains, while that actomyosin redistributed back to lateral domains at the accelerated invagination stage. Using genetic mutants to modulate myosin activities, the initial invagination was strengthened or abolished, indicating invagination is apical constriction-dependent. Optogenetic inhibition of myosin activities in lateral domains after initial invagination stage blocked the further processes, suggesting lateral constriction of actomyosin is required for the accelerated invagination. Vertex model simulations uncovered a coupled mechanism underlying epithelial invagination driven by apicobasal tension imbalance and lateral contraction. We thus propose an actomyosin redistribution mechanical model: lateral actomyosin first redistributes apically to drive apical constriction and shape the initial invagination, then apical actomyosin redistributes laterally to promote lateral contractility and accelerate invagination. Our findings reveal a bidirectional reorganization of the actomyosin network as a central mechanism driving epithelial invagination, providing insights on epithelial invagination and organ morphogenesis during development.