Three-Modal Theory of Early Embryo Asymmetric Cleavage Determination

Abstract

Developmental biology attempts to understand the most remarkable phenomenon of life, the process of embryogenesis, and trace back the common link between different groups of animals to analyze when and how the advantage of multicellularity and pluripotency first emerged. Gradual changes accumulated in animal genomes and the environmental influence on gene expression have led to the emergence of a higher complexity in body patterning and tissue diversity best seen in mammals. Although many questions have been answered, even more await to be elucidated. Presented is a developmental biology theory set into three main hypothetical claims that are collectively harmonizing at the molecular level of animal embryogenesis. Focusing on vertebrates and mammals, the three-modal theory of early embryo asymmetric cleavage determination attempts to explain how over 200 mammalian cell lines originate from a single zygote. Within the theory, biophysical interactions between first mammalian embryo cells are expected to develop a biochemical niche pivotal for further interblastomeric communication and asymmetric fate determination distribution, including those of the maternal origin. The theory builds on extensive research data from the past century and coherently fits in modern molecular understanding of a plethora of embryological processes.