β-Catenin–dependent mechanotransduction dates back to the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria

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Significance Besides genetic regulation, mechanical forces have been identified as important cues in numerous developmental processes. Mechanical forces can activate biochemical cascades in a process called mechanotransduction. Recent studies in vertebrates and flies elucidated the role of mechanical forces for mesodermal gene expression. However, it remains unclear whether mechanotransduction is a universal regulatory mechanism throughout Metazoa. Here, we show in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis that mechanical pressure can ectopically activate or restore brachyury expression. This mechanotransduction is dependent on β-catenin, similar to vertebrates. We propose that a regulatory feedback loop between genetic and mechanical gene activation exists during gastrulation and the β-catenin–dependent mechanotransduction is an ancient regulatory mechanism, which was present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians.