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Zhang X, Yu H, Li Q. Comprehensive analysis of Sox genes in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas): Insights into expression and potential functions. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2025; 55:101463. [PMID: 40147269 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/02/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
The Sox gene family characterized by the conserved HMG-box domain, plays crucial roles in various biological processes, including development and differentiation. In this study, we identified seven Sox genes in the genome of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), and classified them into seven subgroups: SoxB1, SoxB2, SoxC, SoxD, SoxE, SoxF, and SoxH. All Sox proteins contained the conserved HMG domain, crucial for DNA binding and transcriptional regulation. Spatial expression analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns: CgSoxH was highly specific to gonads, CgSoxF to the digestive gland, and CgSoxB2 subgroup to the labial palps, indicating distinct biological roles. Developmental profiling showed CgSoxB1 and CgSoxC with maternal expression, while CgSoxD and CgSoxE were active from gastrulation onwards. In gonadal development, CgSoxB1 was prominent in female gonads, while CgSoxH was associated with male gonadal maturation, suggesting the potential roles in sex differentiation. These findings provide novel insights into the functional roles of Sox genes in the reproductive and developmental processes of C. gigas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
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2
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Markos A, Kubovciak J, Mikula Mrstakova S, Zitova A, Paces J, Machacova S, Kozmik-Jr Z, Kozmik Z, Kozmikova I. Cell type and regulatory analysis in amphioxus illuminates evolutionary origin of the vertebrate head. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8859. [PMID: 39402029 PMCID: PMC11473876 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52938-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/17/2024] Open
Abstract
To shed light on the enigmatic origin of the vertebrate head, our study employs an integrated approach that combines single-cell transcriptomics, perturbations in signaling pathways, and cis-regulatory analysis in amphioxus. As a representative of a basal lineage within the chordate phylum, amphioxus retains many characteristics thought to have been present in the common chordate ancestor. Through cell type characterization, we identify the presence of prechordal plate-like, pre-migratory, and migratory neural crest-like cell populations in the developing amphioxus embryo. Functional analysis establishes conserved roles of the Nodal and Hedgehog signaling pathways in prechordal plate-like populations, and of the Wnt signaling pathway in neural crest-like populations' development. Furthermore, our trans-species transgenic experiments highlight similarities in the regulatory environments that drive neural crest-like and prechordal plate-like developmental programs in both vertebrates and amphioxus. Our findings provide evidence that the key features of vertebrate head development can be traced back to the common ancestor of all chordates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Markos
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kubovciak
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Mikula Mrstakova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Zitova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Paces
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Machacova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik-Jr
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iryna Kozmikova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Singleton KS, Silva-Rodriguez P, Cunningham DD, Silva EM. Xenopus Sox11 Partner Proteins and Functional Domains in Neurogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:243. [PMID: 38397232 PMCID: PMC10887758 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sox11, a member of the SoxC family of transcription factors, has distinct functions at different times in neural development. Studies in mouse, frog, chick, and zebrafish show that Sox11 promotes neural fate, neural differentiation, and neuron maturation in the central nervous system. These diverse roles are controlled in part by spatial and temporal-specific protein interactions. However, the partner proteins and Sox11-interaction domains underlying these diverse functions are not well defined. Here, we identify partner proteins and the domains of Xenopus laevis Sox11 required for protein interaction and function during neurogenesis. Our data show that Sox11 co-localizes and interacts with Pou3f2 and Neurog2 in the anterior neural plate and in early neurons, respectively. We also demonstrate that Sox11 does not interact with Neurog1, a high-affinity partner of Sox11 in the mouse cortex, suggesting that Sox11 has species-specific partner proteins. Additionally, we determined that the N-terminus including the HMG domain of Sox11 is necessary for interaction with Pou3f2 and Neurog2, and we established a novel role for the N-terminal 46 amino acids in the specification of placodal progenitors. This is the first identification of partner proteins for Sox11 and of domains required for partner-protein interactions and distinct roles in neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela S. Singleton
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 200057, USA
| | - Pablo Silva-Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (P.S.-R.); (D.D.C.)
| | - Doreen D. Cunningham
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (P.S.-R.); (D.D.C.)
| | - Elena M. Silva
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 200057, USA
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (P.S.-R.); (D.D.C.)
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4
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Krueger LA, Morris AC. Eyes on CHARGE syndrome: Roles of CHD7 in ocular development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:994412. [PMID: 36172288 PMCID: PMC9512043 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.994412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate visual system involves complex morphogenetic interactions of cells derived from multiple embryonic lineages. Disruptions in this process are associated with structural birth defects such as microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (collectively referred to as MAC), and inherited retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and allied dystrophies. MAC and retinal degeneration are also observed in systemic congenital malformation syndromes. One important example is CHARGE syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth retardation, genital abnormalities, and ear abnormalities. Mutations in the gene encoding Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7) cause the majority of CHARGE syndrome cases. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms that connect loss of CHD7 to the ocular complications observed in CHARGE syndrome have not been identified. In this review, we provide a general overview of ocular development and congenital disorders affecting the eye. This is followed by a comprehensive description of CHARGE syndrome, including discussion of the spectrum of ocular defects that have been described in this disorder. In addition, we discuss the current knowledge of CHD7 function and focus on its contributions to the development of ocular structures. Finally, we discuss outstanding gaps in our knowledge of the role of CHD7 in eye formation, and propose avenues of investigation to further our understanding of how CHD7 activity regulates ocular and retinal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann C. Morris
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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5
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Duly AMP, Kao FCL, Teo WS, Kavallaris M. βIII-Tubulin Gene Regulation in Health and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:851542. [PMID: 35573698 PMCID: PMC9096907 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.851542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule proteins form a dynamic component of the cytoskeleton, and play key roles in cellular processes, such as vesicular transport, cell motility and mitosis. Expression of microtubule proteins are often dysregulated in cancer. In particular, the microtubule protein βIII-tubulin, encoded by the TUBB3 gene, is aberrantly expressed in a range of epithelial tumours and is associated with drug resistance and aggressive disease. In normal cells, TUBB3 expression is tightly restricted, and is found almost exclusively in neuronal and testicular tissues. Understanding the mechanisms that control TUBB3 expression, both in cancer, mature and developing tissues will help to unravel the basic biology of the protein, its role in cancer, and may ultimately lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to target this protein. This review is devoted to the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of TUBB3 in normal and cancerous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair M. P. Duly
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Felicity C. L. Kao
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wee Siang Teo
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Schock EN, LaBonne C. Sorting Sox: Diverse Roles for Sox Transcription Factors During Neural Crest and Craniofacial Development. Front Physiol 2020; 11:606889. [PMID: 33424631 PMCID: PMC7793875 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.606889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sox transcription factors play many diverse roles during development, including regulating stem cell states, directing differentiation, and influencing the local chromatin landscape. Of the twenty vertebrate Sox factors, several play critical roles in the development the neural crest, a key vertebrate innovation, and the subsequent formation of neural crest-derived structures, including the craniofacial complex. Herein, we review the specific roles for individual Sox factors during neural crest cell formation and discuss how some factors may have been essential for the evolution of the neural crest. Additionally, we describe how Sox factors direct neural crest cell differentiation into diverse lineages such as melanocytes, glia, and cartilage and detail their involvement in the development of specific craniofacial structures. Finally, we highlight several SOXopathies associated with craniofacial phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N. Schock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
- NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
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7
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The neural crest and evolution of the head/trunk interface in vertebrates. Dev Biol 2018; 444 Suppl 1:S60-S66. [PMID: 29408469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The migration and distribution patterns of neural crest (NC) cells reflect the distinct embryonic environments of the head and trunk: cephalic NC cells migrate predominantly along the dorsolateral pathway to populate the craniofacial and pharyngeal regions, whereas trunk crest cells migrate along the ventrolateral pathways to form the dorsal root ganglia. These two patterns thus reflect the branchiomeric and somitomeric architecture, respectively, of the vertebrate body plan. The so-called vagal NC occupies a postotic, intermediate level between the head and trunk NC. This level of NC gives rise to both trunk- and cephalic-type (circumpharyngeal) NC cells. The anatomical pattern of the amphioxus, a basal chordate, suggests that somites and pharyngeal gills coexist along an extensive length of the body axis, indicating that the embryonic environment is similar to that of vertebrate vagal NC cells and may have been ancestral for vertebrates. The amniote-like condition in which the cephalic and trunk domains are distinctly separated would have been brought about, in part, by anteroposterior reduction of the pharyngeal domain.
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Xia X, Wan R, Huo W, Zhang L, Xia X, Chang Z. Molecular cloning and mRNA expression pattern of Sox4 in Paramisgurnus dabryanus. Gene Expr Patterns 2017. [PMID: 28629960 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sox4 belonged to the SoxC subfamily of the Sox family, which play important roles in the development of the vertebrate gonad and nervous system. A Sox4 homologue was cloned from brain of Paramisgurnus dabryanus by using homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), designated as PdSox4. The full-length cDNA was 2163bp, containing the 759bp 5'-untranslated region, 267bp 3'-untranslated region and encoding a putative protein of 378 amino acids with a characteristic high mobility group box (HMG-box) DNA-binding domain of 79 amino acids with the specific motif (RPMNAFMVW). Alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that PdSox4 shares highly identical sequence with Sox4 homologues from different species. The signal peptide analysis predicted that PdSox4 is a non-secretory protein. The hydropathy profile of PdSox4 protein revealed that this protein is hydrophilic in nature. The expression profiles of PdSox4 in different developmental stages and various adult tissues of sexs were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and In situ hybridization (ISH). The results showed that PdSox4 was ubiquitously expressed during embryogenesis and various adult tissues, especially in central nervous system. Tissue distribution analyses revealed that PdSox4 was expression in developing germ cells. Taken together, these preliminary findings suggested that PdSox4 is highly conserved during vertebrate evolution and involved in a wide range of developmental processes including embryogenesis, neurogenesis and gonad development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Xia
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ruyan Wan
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weiran Huo
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Linxia Zhang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaopei Xia
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Jiang Y, Han K, Chen S, Wang Y, Zhang Z. Characterization and expression analysis of Lc-Sox4 in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 196-197:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 12/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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10
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Chen C, Jin J, Lee GA, Silva E, Donoghue M. Cross-species functional analyses reveal shared and separate roles for Sox11 in frog primary neurogenesis and mouse cortical neuronal differentiation. Biol Open 2016; 5:409-17. [PMID: 26962049 PMCID: PMC4890661 DOI: 10.1242/bio.015404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A well-functioning brain requires production of the correct number and types of cells during development; cascades of transcription factors are essential for cellular coordination. Sox proteins are transcription factors that affect various processes in the development of the nervous system. Sox11, a member of the SoxC family, is expressed in differentiated neurons and supports neuronal differentiation in several systems. To understand how generalizable the actions of Sox11 are across phylogeny, its function in the development of the frog nervous system and the mouse cerebral cortex were compared. Expression of Sox11 is largely conserved between these species; in the developing frog, Sox11 is expressed in the neural plate, neural tube and throughout the segmented brain, while in the mouse cerebral cortex, Sox11 is expressed in differentiated zones, including the preplate, subplate, marginal zone and cortical plate. In both frog and mouse, data demonstrate that Sox11 supports a role in promoting neuronal differentiation, with Sox11-positive cells expressing pan-neural markers and becoming morphologically complex. However, frog and mouse Sox11 cannot substitute for one another; a functional difference likely reflected in sequence divergence. Thus, Sox11 appears to act similarly in subserving neuronal differentiation but is species-specific in frog neural development and mouse corticogenesis. Summary: Sox11 acts to designate neurons in both mouse and frog brains, but orthologs are not functionally redundant. These data show evolutionary conservation of Sox11 function with molecular divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett A Lee
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Elena Silva
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Maria Donoghue
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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11
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Lara-Ramírez R, Patthey C, Shimeld SM. Characterization of twoneurogeningenes from the brook lampreylampetra planeriand their expression in the lamprey nervous system. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:1096-1108. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Lara-Ramírez
- Department of Zoology; The Tinbergen Building, University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Cédric Patthey
- Department of Zoology; The Tinbergen Building, University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford United Kingdom
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University; Umeå Sweden
| | - Sebastian M. Shimeld
- Department of Zoology; The Tinbergen Building, University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford United Kingdom
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12
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Bestman JE, Huang LC, Lee-Osbourne J, Cheung P, Cline HT. An in vivo screen to identify candidate neurogenic genes in the developing Xenopus visual system. Dev Biol 2015; 408:269-91. [PMID: 25818835 PMCID: PMC4584193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the brain of Xenopus laevis continues throughout larval stages of development. We developed a 2-tier screen to identify candidate genes controlling neurogenesis in Xenopus optic tectum in vivo. First, microarray and NanoString analyses were used to identify candidate genes that were differentially expressed in Sox2-expressing neural progenitor cells or their neuronal progeny. Then an in vivo, time-lapse imaging-based screen was used to test whether morpholinos against 34 candidate genes altered neural progenitor cell proliferation or neuronal differentiation over 3 days in the optic tectum of intact Xenopus tadpoles. We co-electroporated antisense morpholino oligonucleotides against each of the candidate genes with a plasmid that drives GFP expression in Sox2-expressing neural progenitor cells and quantified the effects of morpholinos on neurogenesis. Of the 34 morpholinos tested, 24 altered neural progenitor cell proliferation or neuronal differentiation. The candidates which were tagged as differentially expressed and validated by the in vivo imaging screen include: actn1, arl9, eif3a, elk4, ephb1, fmr1-a, fxr1-1, fbxw7, fgf2, gstp1, hat1, hspa5, lsm6, mecp2, mmp9, and prkaca. Several of these candidates, including fgf2 and elk4, have known or proposed neurogenic functions, thereby validating our strategy to identify candidates. Genes with no previously demonstrated neurogenic functions, gstp1, hspa5 and lsm6, were identified from the morpholino experiments, suggesting that our screen successfully revealed unknown candidates. Genes that are associated with human disease, such as such as mecp2 and fmr1-a, were identified by our screen, providing the groundwork for using Xenopus as an experimental system to probe conserved disease mechanisms. Together the data identify candidate neurogenic regulatory genes and demonstrate that Xenopus is an effective experimental animal to identify and characterize genes that regulate neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Bestman
- Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Lin-Chien Huang
- The Dorris Neuroscience Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Jane Lee-Osbourne
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Phillip Cheung
- Dart Neuroscience, LLC, San Diego, CA 92064, United States
| | - Hollis T Cline
- The Dorris Neuroscience Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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13
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Pillai-Kastoori L, Wen W, Morris AC. Keeping an eye on SOXC proteins. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:367-376. [PMID: 25476579 PMCID: PMC4344926 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of a mature, functional eye requires a complex series of cell proliferation, migration, induction among different germinal layers, and cell differentiation. These processes are regulated by extracellular cues such as the Wnt/BMP/Hh/Fgf signaling pathways, as well as cell intrinsic transcription factors that specify cell fate. In this review article, we provide an overview of stages of embryonic eye morphogenesis, extrinsic and intrinsic factors that are required for each stage, and pediatric ocular diseases that are associated with defective eye development. In addition, we focus on recent findings about the roles of the SOXC proteins in regulating vertebrate ocular development and implicating SOXC mutations in human ocular malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wen Wen
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ann C. Morris
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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