LiCl perturbs ectodermal veg(1) lineage allocations in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos

In normal development the veg(1) tier of the sixth cleavage Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryo contributes progeny to both ectodermal lineages and portions of the archenteron. Treatment with 18 mM LiCl specifically affects this lineage allocation, reducing or eliminating the veg, contribution to ectoderm. Less frequently this concentration of lithium causes the progeny of animal blastomeres to contribute to the archenteron. (C) 1997 Academic Press.