1
|
Mafakher L, Rismani E, Teimoori-Toolabi L. Evolutionary and Structural Assessment of the Human Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein (SFRP) Family. J Mol Evol 2025:10.1007/s00239-025-10249-5. [PMID: 40372458 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-025-10249-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/16/2025]
Abstract
It has been observed that five members of Secreted Frizzled-Related proteins act as antagonists for the Wnt signaling pathway in humans. These glycoproteins have two functional domains: the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) and the netrin-related domain (NTR), with a completely conserved disulfide bond in the CRD domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this protein family can be divided into two subgroups, SFRP1/SFRP2/SFRP5 versus SFRP3/SFRP4. The SFRP3/SFRP4 group was found to be more closely related to the sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis, which is believed to represent the ancient origin of SFRPs. The model evaluation demonstrated high-quality conformational homology modeling in the predicted Human SFRP models compared to the Sizzled crystal structure of Xenopus laevis. The molecular dynamic simulation illustrated that SFRP1 and SFRP2 exhibit the most stable structures during 100 ns of simulation. Multiple sequence alignment and conservation analysis of Human SFRPs showed that the CRD domain of SFRPs is more conserved than the NTR domain. The docking result indicated that SFRP3 has the highest binding affinity to Wnt3, while SFRP1 and SFRP5 have the lowest. Despite the lower affinity of SFRP1/SFRP5 for Wnt3, a higher positive charge in their NTR domains leads to an increase in their local concentration near the secreting cells and an enhancement in the antagonistic activity. In contrast, SFRP3/SFRP4 can act as an antagonist in distant cells due to less positive regions in their NTR domain and weakly binding to the heparin of the intercellular matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Mafakher
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 th Pasteur Street, Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
| | - Elham Rismani
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 th Pasteur Street, Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
| | - Ladan Teimoori-Toolabi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 th Pasteur Street, Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abdulla A, Yan H, Chen S, Wu L, Chen XS, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Zhuang TY, Ahmad KZ, Lin J, Ding X, Jiang L. A multichannel microfluidic device for revealing the neurotoxic effects of Bisphenol S on cerebral organoids under low-dose constant exposure. Biosens Bioelectron 2025; 267:116754. [PMID: 39332252 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol S is a widely used plasticizer in manufacturing daily supplies, while little was known about its adverse effect on human health, especially on fetal brain development. Due to the complexity and subtlety of the brain, it remains challenging to reveal the hazardous effects of environmental pollution on human fetal brain development. Taking advantage of stem cell application, cerebral organoids generated from stem cells are becoming powerful tools for understanding brain development and drug toxicity testing models. Here, we developed a microfluidic chip for cerebral organoid culturing to reveal the neurotoxicity of low-dose constant BPS exposure on cerebral organoids. The organoids in our microfluidic system could be continuously cultured for 34 days and expressed all the essential properties of the cerebral organoids. Exposure to BPS was initiated from day 20 for concessive two weeks. The neurotoxic effects were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and proteomics, and verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Our results indicated BPS exposure would inhibit neuron differentiation, hinder the Wnt signaling pathway, and cause alteration of signaling molecule expressions in brain regionalization. Even exposure to a low dose of BPS constantly might cause neurotoxicity during fetal brain development. Altogether, the multichannel microfluidic chip offers a general platform technique to reveal the effects of different hazardous chemicals on cerebral organoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aynur Abdulla
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haoni Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Shujin Chen
- Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Leqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xu-Sen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yizhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Manlin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Tsz Yui Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Khan Zara Ahmad
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
| | - Jinjin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China; School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi' an 710062, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xianting Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Lai Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
González M, Maurelia F, Aguayo J, Amigo R, Arrué R, Gutiérrez JL, Torrejón M, Farkas C, Caprile T. Uncovering the role of the subcommissural organ in early brain development through transcriptomic analysis. Biol Res 2024; 57:49. [PMID: 39068496 PMCID: PMC11282827 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00524-y] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significant role of embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (eCSF) in the initial stages of brain development has been thoroughly studied. This fluid contains crucial molecules for proper brain development such as members of the Wnt and FGF families, apolipoproteins, and retinol binding protein. Nevertheless, the source of these molecules remains uncertain since they are present before the formation of the choroid plexus, which is conventionally known as the primary producer of cerebrospinal fluid. The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a highly conserved gland located in the diencephalon and is one of the earliest differentiating brain structures. The SCO secretes molecules into the eCSF, prior to the differentiation of the choroid plexus, playing a pivotal role in the homeostasis and dynamics of this fluid. One of the key molecules secreted by the SCO is SCO-spondin, a protein involved in maintenance of the normal ventricle size, straight spinal axis, neurogenesis, and axonal guidance. Furthermore, SCO secretes transthyretin and basic fibroblast growth factor 2, while other identified molecules in the eCSF could potentially be secreted by the SCO. Additionally, various transcription factors have been identified in the SCO. However, the precise mechanisms involved in the early SCO development are not fully understood. RESULTS To uncover key molecular players and signaling pathways involved in the role of the SCO during brain development, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis comparing the embryonic chick SCO at HH23 and HH30 stages (4 and 7 days respectively). Additionally, a public transcriptomic data from HH30 entire chick brain was used to compare expression levels between SCO and whole brain transcriptome. These analyses revealed that, at both stages, the SCO differentially expresses several members of bone morphogenic proteins, Wnt and fibroblast growth factors families, diverse proteins involved in axonal guidance, neurogenic and differentiative molecules, cell receptors and transcription factors. The secretory pathway is particularly upregulated at stage HH30 while the proliferative pathway is increased at stage HH23. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the SCO has the capacity to secrete several morphogenic molecules to the eCSF prior to the development of other structures, such as the choroid plexus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryori González
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Felipe Maurelia
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jaime Aguayo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Roberto Amigo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Arrué
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Leonardo Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Marcela Torrejón
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Carlos Farkas
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Morfología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Teresa Caprile
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ávila-González D, Portillo W, Barragán-Álvarez CP, Hernandez-Montes G, Flores-Garza E, Molina-Hernández A, Diaz-Martinez NE, Diaz NF. The human amniotic epithelium confers a bias to differentiate toward the neuroectoderm lineage in human embryonic stem cells. eLife 2022; 11:68035. [PMID: 35815953 PMCID: PMC9313526 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) derive from the epiblast and have pluripotent potential. To maintain the conventional conditions of the pluripotent potential in an undifferentiated state, inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblast (iMEF) is used as a feeder layer. However, it has been suggested that hESC under this conventional condition (hESC-iMEF) is an artifact that does not correspond to the in vitro counterpart of the human epiblast. Our previous studies demonstrated the use of an alternative feeder layer of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) to derive and maintain hESC. We wondered if the hESC-hAEC culture could represent a different pluripotent stage than that of naïve or primed conventional conditions, simulating the stage in which the amniotic epithelium derives from the epiblast during peri-implantation. Like the conventional primed hESC-iMEF, hESC-hAEC has the same levels of expression as the ‘pluripotency core’ and does not express markers of naïve pluripotency. However, it presents a downregulation of HOX genes and genes associated with the endoderm and mesoderm, and it exhibits an increase in the expression of ectoderm lineage genes, specifically in the anterior neuroectoderm. Transcriptome analysis showed in hESC-hAEC an upregulated signature of genes coding for transcription factors involved in neural induction and forebrain development, and the ability to differentiate into a neural lineage was superior in comparison with conventional hESC-iMEF. We propose that the interaction of hESC with hAEC confers hESC a biased potential that resembles the anteriorized epiblast, which is predisposed to form the neural ectoderm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ávila-González
- Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Wendy Portillo
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Carla P Barragán-Álvarez
- Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | | | - Eliezer Flores-Garza
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Anayansi Molina-Hernández
- Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Nestor F Diaz
- Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Leung RF, George AM, Roussel EM, Faux MC, Wigle JT, Eisenstat DD. Genetic Regulation of Vertebrate Forebrain Development by Homeobox Genes. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:843794. [PMID: 35546872 PMCID: PMC9081933 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.843794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Forebrain development in vertebrates is regulated by transcription factors encoded by homeobox, bHLH and forkhead gene families throughout the progressive and overlapping stages of neural induction and patterning, regional specification and generation of neurons and glia from central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells. Moreover, cell fate decisions, differentiation and migration of these committed CNS progenitors are controlled by the gene regulatory networks that are regulated by various homeodomain-containing transcription factors, including but not limited to those of the Pax (paired), Nkx, Otx (orthodenticle), Gsx/Gsh (genetic screened), and Dlx (distal-less) homeobox gene families. This comprehensive review outlines the integral role of key homeobox transcription factors and their target genes on forebrain development, focused primarily on the telencephalon. Furthermore, links of these transcription factors to human diseases, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F. Leung
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ankita M. George
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Enola M. Roussel
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Maree C. Faux
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey T. Wigle
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David D. Eisenstat
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Han X, Liu T, Ding X, Liu J, Lin X, Wang D, Riaz M, Baird PN, Xie Z, Cheng Y, Li Y, Mori Y, Miyake M, Li H, Cheng CY, Zeng C, Ohno-Matsui K, Zhou X, Liu F, He M. Identification of novel loci influencing refractive error in East Asian populations using an extreme phenotype design. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:54-62. [PMID: 34520856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The global "myopia boom" has raised significant international concerns. Despite a higher myopia prevalence in Asia, previous large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were mostly based on European descendants. Here, we report a GWAS of spherical equivalent (SE) in 1852 Chinese Han individuals with extreme SE from Guangzhou (631 < -6D and 574 > 0D) and Wenzhou (593 < -6D and 54 > -1.75 D), followed by a replication study in two independent cohorts with totaling 3538 East Asian individuals. The discovery GWAS and meta-analysis identify three novel loci which show genome-wide significant associations with SE, including 1q25.2 FAM163A, 10p11.22 NRP1/PRAD3, and 10p11.21 ANKRD30A/MTRNR2L7, together explaining 3.34% of SE variance. 10p11.21 was successfully replicated. The allele frequencies of all three loci show significant differences between major continental groups (P < 0.001). The SE reducing (more myopic) allele of rs10913877 (1q25.2 FAM163A) demonstrates the highest frequency in East Asians and much lower frequencies in Europeans and Africans (EAS = 0.60, EUR = 0.20, AFR = 0.18). The gene-based analysis additionally identifies three novel genes associated with SE, including EI24, LHX5 and ARPP19. These results provide new insights into myopia pathogenesis, and indicate the role of genetic heterogeneity in myopia epidemiology among different ethnicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Tianzi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jialin Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xingyan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Decai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Moeen Riaz
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University 3800, Australia
| | - Paul N Baird
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Zhi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yi Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuki Mori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Masahiro Miyake
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hengtong Li
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore; Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 119077, Singapore; Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Changqing Zeng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kyoko Ohno-Matsui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Xiangtian Zhou
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Fan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mingguang He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Borba C, Kourakis MJ, Schwennicke S, Brasnic L, Smith WC. Fold Change Detection in Visual Processing. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:705161. [PMID: 34497492 PMCID: PMC8419522 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.705161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual processing transforms the complexities of the visual world into useful information. Ciona, an invertebrate chordate and close relative of the vertebrates, has one of the simplest nervous systems known, yet has a range of visuomotor behaviors. This simplicity has facilitated studies linking behavior and neural circuitry. Ciona larvae have two distinct visuomotor behaviors - a looming shadow response and negative phototaxis. These are mediated by separate neural circuits that initiate from different clusters of photoreceptors, with both projecting to a CNS structure called the posterior brain vesicle (pBV). We report here that inputs from both circuits are processed to generate fold change detection (FCD) outputs. In FCD, the behavioral response scales with the relative fold change in input, but is invariant to the overall magnitude of the stimulus. Moreover, the two visuomotor behaviors have fundamentally different stimulus/response relationships - indicative of differing circuit strategies, with the looming shadow response showing a power relationship to fold change, while the navigation behavior responds linearly. Pharmacological modulation of the FCD response points to the FCD circuits lying outside of the visual organ (the ocellus), with the pBV being the most likely location. Consistent with these observations, the connectivity and properties of pBV interneurons conform to known FCD circuit motifs, but with different circuit architectures for the two circuits. The negative phototaxis circuit forms a putative incoherent feedforward loop that involves interconnecting cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons. The looming shadow circuit uses the same cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons, but with different synaptic inputs to create a putative non-linear integral feedback loop. These differing circuit architectures are consistent with the behavioral outputs of the two circuits. Finally, while some reports have highlighted parallels between the pBV and the vertebrate midbrain, suggesting a common origin for the two, others reports have disputed this, suggesting that invertebrate chordates lack a midbrain homolog. The convergence of visual inputs at the pBV, and its putative role in visual processing reported here and in previous publications, lends further support to the proposed common origin of the pBV and the vertebrate midbrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cezar Borba
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Matthew J Kourakis
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Shea Schwennicke
- College of Creative Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Lorena Brasnic
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - William C Smith
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.,College of Creative Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Diaz C, Puelles L. Developmental Genes and Malformations in the Hypothalamus. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:607111. [PMID: 33324176 PMCID: PMC7726113 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.607111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a heterogeneous rostral forebrain region that regulates physiological processes essential for survival, energy metabolism, and reproduction, mainly mediated by the pituitary gland. In the updated prosomeric model, the hypothalamus represents the rostralmost forebrain, composed of two segmental regions (terminal and peduncular hypothalamus), which extend respectively into the non-evaginated preoptic telencephalon and the evaginated pallio-subpallial telencephalon. Complex genetic cascades of transcription factors and signaling molecules rule their development. Alterations of some of these molecular mechanisms acting during forebrain development are associated with more or less severe hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunctions, which may be associated with brain malformations such as holoprosencephaly or septo-optic dysplasia. Studies on transgenic mice with mutated genes encoding critical transcription factors implicated in hypothalamic-pituitary development are contributing to understanding the high clinical complexity of these pathologies. In this review article, we will analyze first the complex molecular genoarchitecture of the hypothalamus resulting from the activity of previous morphogenetic signaling centers and secondly some malformations related to alterations in genes implicated in the development of the hypothalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Diaz
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine and Institute for Research in Neurological Disabilities, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Luis Puelles
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wnt Signaling Regulates Ipsilateral Pathfinding in the Zebrafish Forebrain through slit3. Neuroscience 2020; 449:9-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
10
|
Rifes P, Isaksson M, Rathore GS, Aldrin-Kirk P, Møller OK, Barzaghi G, Lee J, Egerod KL, Rausch DM, Parmar M, Pers TH, Laurell T, Kirkeby A. Modeling neural tube development by differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in a microfluidic WNT gradient. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:1265-1273. [PMID: 32451506 PMCID: PMC7616963 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0525-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The study of brain development in humans is limited by the lack of tissue samples and suitable in vitro models. Here, we model early human neural tube development using human embryonic stem cells cultured in a microfluidic device. The approach, named microfluidic-controlled stem cell regionalization (MiSTR), exposes pluripotent stem cells to signaling gradients that mimic developmental patterning. Using a WNT-activating gradient, we generated a neural tissue exhibiting progressive caudalization from forebrain to midbrain to hindbrain, including formation of isthmic organizer characteristics. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that rostro-caudal organization was already established at 24 h of differentiation, and that the first markers of a neural-specific transcription program emerged in the rostral cells at 48 h. The transcriptomic hallmarks of rostro-caudal organization recapitulated gene expression patterns of the early rostro-caudal neural plate in mouse embryos. Thus, MiSTR will facilitate research on the factors and processes underlying rostro-caudal neural tube patterning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Rifes
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Isaksson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gaurav Singh Rathore
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick Aldrin-Kirk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Guido Barzaghi
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Lee
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Lihme Egerod
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dylan M Rausch
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malin Parmar
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tune H Pers
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Laurell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Agnete Kirkeby
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Walsh P, Truong V, Nayak S, Saldías Montivero M, Low WC, Parr AM, Dutton JR. Accelerated differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into neural lineages via an early intermediate ectoderm population. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1400-1408. [PMID: 32745311 PMCID: PMC7693041 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into ectoderm provides neurons and glia useful for research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and potential cell therapies. In current protocols, hPSCs are traditionally differentiated into an obligate rostro-dorsal ectodermal fate expressing PAX6 after 6 to 12 days in vitro when protected from mesendoderm inducers. This rate-limiting step has performed a long-standing role in hindering the development of rapid differentiation protocols for ectoderm-derived cell types, as any protocol requires 6 to 10 days in vitro to simply initiate. Here, we report efficient differentiation of hPSCs into a naive early ectodermal intermediate within 24 hours using combined inhibition of bone morphogenic protein and fibroblast growth factor signaling. The induced population responds immediately to morphogen gradients to upregulate rostro-caudal neurodevelopmental landmark gene expression in a generally accelerated fashion. This method can serve as a new platform for the development of novel, rapid, and efficient protocols for the manufacture of hPSC-derived neural lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Walsh
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Vincent Truong
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual NeurosciencesUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Sushmita Nayak
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Walter C. Low
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Ann M. Parr
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - James R. Dutton
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Porter BA, Mueller T. The Zebrafish Amygdaloid Complex - Functional Ground Plan, Molecular Delineation, and Everted Topology. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:608. [PMID: 32765204 PMCID: PMC7378821 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals and other tetrapods, a multinuclear forebrain structure, called the amygdala, forms the neuroregulatory core essential for emotion, cognition, and social behavior. Currently, higher circuits of affective behavior in anamniote non-tetrapod vertebrates (“fishes”) are poorly understood, preventing a comprehensive understanding of amygdala evolution. Through molecular characterization and evolutionary-developmental considerations, we delineated the complex amygdala ground plan of zebrafish, whose everted telencephalon has made comparisons to the evaginated forebrains of tetrapods challenging. In this radical paradigm, thirteen telencephalic territories constitute the zebrafish amygdaloid complex and each territory is distinguished by conserved molecular properties and structure-functional relationships with other amygdaloid structures. Central to our paradigm, the study identifies the teleostean amygdaloid nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (nLOT), an olfactory integrative structure that links dopaminergic telencephalic groups to the amygdala alongside redefining the putative zebrafish olfactory pallium (“Dp”). Molecular characteristics such as the distribution of substance P and the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) and calretinin (CR) indicate, that the zebrafish extended centromedial (autonomic and reproductive) amygdala is predominantly located in the GABAergic and isl1-negative territory. Like in tetrapods, medial amygdaloid (MeA) nuclei are defined by the presence of substance P immunoreactive fibers and calretinin-positive neurons, whereas central amygdaloid (CeA) nuclei lack these characteristics. A detailed comparison of lhx5-driven and vGLut2a-driven GFP in transgenic reporter lines revealed ancestral topological relationships between the thalamic eminence (EmT), the medial amygdala (MeA), the nLOT, and the integrative olfactory pallium. Thus, the study explains how the zebrafish amygdala and the complexly everted telencephalon topologically relate to the corresponding structures in mammals indicating that an elaborate amygdala ground plan evolved early in vertebrates, in a common ancestor of teleosts and tetrapods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baylee A Porter
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Urology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fuentes R, Tajer B, Kobayashi M, Pelliccia JL, Langdon Y, Abrams EW, Mullins MC. The maternal coordinate system: Molecular-genetics of embryonic axis formation and patterning in the zebrafish. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 140:341-389. [PMID: 32591080 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Axis specification of the zebrafish embryo begins during oogenesis and relies on proper formation of well-defined cytoplasmic domains within the oocyte. Upon fertilization, maternally-regulated cytoplasmic flow and repositioning of dorsal determinants establish the coordinate system that will build the structure and developmental body plan of the embryo. Failure of specific genes that regulate the embryonic coordinate system leads to catastrophic loss of body structures. Here, we review the genetic principles of axis formation and discuss how maternal factors orchestrate axis patterning during zebrafish early embryogenesis. We focus on the molecular identity and functional contribution of genes controlling critical aspects of oogenesis, egg activation, blastula, and gastrula stages. We examine how polarized cytoplasmic domains form in the oocyte, which set off downstream events such as animal-vegetal polarity and germ line development. After gametes interact and form the zygote, cytoplasmic segregation drives the animal-directed reorganization of maternal determinants through calcium- and cell cycle-dependent signals. We also summarize how maternal genes control dorsoventral, anterior-posterior, mesendodermal, and left-right cell fate specification and how signaling pathways pattern these axes and tissues during early development to instruct the three-dimensional body plan. Advances in reverse genetics and phenotyping approaches in the zebrafish model are revealing positional patterning signatures at the single-cell level, thus enhancing our understanding of genotype-phenotype interactions in axis formation. Our emphasis is on the genetic interrogation of novel and specific maternal regulatory mechanisms of axis specification in the zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Fuentes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Benjamin Tajer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Manami Kobayashi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jose L Pelliccia
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Elliott W Abrams
- Department of Biology, Purchase College, State University of New York, Harrison, NY, United States
| | - Mary C Mullins
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen T, Zhang B, Ziegenhals T, Prusty AB, Fröhler S, Grimm C, Hu Y, Schaefke B, Fang L, Zhang M, Kraemer N, Kaindl AM, Fischer U, Chen W. A missense mutation in SNRPE linked to non-syndromal microcephaly interferes with U snRNP assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008460. [PMID: 31671093 PMCID: PMC6850558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malfunction of pre-mRNA processing factors are linked to several human diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. Here we report the identification of a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SNRPE gene (c.65T>C (p.Phe22Ser)) in a patient with non-syndromal primary (congenital) microcephaly and intellectual disability. SNRPE encodes SmE, a basal component of pre-mRNA processing U snRNPs. We show that the microcephaly-linked SmE variant is unable to interact with the SMN complex and as a consequence fails to assemble into U snRNPs. This results in widespread mRNA splicing alterations in fibroblast cells derived from this patient. Similar alterations were observed in HEK293 cells upon SmE depletion that could be rescued by the expression of wild type but not mutant SmE. Importantly, the depletion of SmE in zebrafish causes aberrant mRNA splicing alterations and reduced brain size, reminiscent of the patient microcephaly phenotype. We identify the EMX2 mRNA, which encodes a protein required for proper brain development, as a major mis-spliced down stream target. Together, our study links defects in the SNRPE gene to microcephaly and suggests that alterations of cellular splicing of specific mRNAs such as EMX2 results in the neurological phenotype of the disease. In higher eukaryotes, the protein coding genes are first transcribed as precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) and further processed by the spliceosome to form the mature mRNA for translation. Malfunction of pre-mRNA processing factors are linked to several human diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. Here we report the identification of a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SNRPE/SmE gene in a patient with non-syndromal primary (congenital) microcephaly and intellectual disability. The effect of identified de novo mutation on SNRPE/SmE was characterized in vitro. The zebrafish was used as in vivo model to further dissect the physiological consequence and pathomechanism. Finally, the EMX2 gene was identified as one of the major down stream target genes responsible for the phenotype. Our study links defects in the SNRPE/SmE gene to microcephaly and provides the new pathogenic mechanism for microcephaly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Systems Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas Ziegenhals
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Archana B. Prusty
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fröhler
- Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Systems Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Clemens Grimm
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yuhui Hu
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Bernhard Schaefke
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Fang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Nadine Kraemer
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela M. Kaindl
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Chronically Sick Children, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
| | - Utz Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail: (UF); (AK); (WC)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Soon after fertilization the zebrafish embryo generates the pool of cells that will give rise to the germline and the three somatic germ layers of the embryo (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm). As the basic body plan of the vertebrate embryo emerges, evolutionarily conserved developmental signaling pathways, including Bmp, Nodal, Wnt, and Fgf, direct the nearly totipotent cells of the early embryo to adopt gene expression profiles and patterns of cell behavior specific to their eventual fates. Several decades of molecular genetics research in zebrafish has yielded significant insight into the maternal and zygotic contributions and mechanisms that pattern this vertebrate embryo. This new understanding is the product of advances in genetic manipulations and imaging technologies that have allowed the field to probe the cellular, molecular and biophysical aspects underlying early patterning. The current state of the field indicates that patterning is governed by the integration of key signaling pathways and physical interactions between cells, rather than a patterning system in which distinct pathways are deployed to specify a particular cell fate. This chapter focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular control of the events that impart cell identity and initiate the patterning of tissues that are prerequisites for or concurrent with movements of gastrulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence L Marlow
- Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gmel AI, Druml T, von Niederhäusern R, Leeb T, Neuditschko M. Genome-Wide Association Studies Based on Equine Joint Angle Measurements Reveal New QTL Affecting the Conformation of Horses. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050370. [PMID: 31091839 PMCID: PMC6562990 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of conformation traits is an important part of selection for breeding stallions and mares. Some of these judged conformation traits involve joint angles that are associated with performance, health, and longevity. To improve our understanding of the genetic background of joint angles in horses, we have objectively measured the angles of the poll, elbow, carpal, fetlock (front and hind), hip, stifle, and hock joints based on one photograph of each of the 300 Franches-Montagnes (FM) and 224 Lipizzan (LIP) horses. After quality control, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for these traits were performed on 495 horses, using 374,070 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a mixed-effect model. We identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the poll angle on ECA28 (p = 1.36 × 10−7), 50 kb downstream of the ALX1 gene, involved in cranial morphology, and for the elbow joint on ECA29 (p = 1.69 × 10−7), 49 kb downstream of the RSU1 gene, and 75 kb upstream of the PTER gene. Both genes are associated with bone mineral density in humans. Furthermore, we identified other suggestive QTL associated with the stifle joint on ECA8 (p = 3.10 × 10−7); the poll on ECA1 (p = 6.83 × 10−7); the fetlock joint of the hind limb on ECA27 (p = 5.42 × 10−7); and the carpal joint angle on ECA3 (p = 6.24 × 10−7), ECA4 (p = 6.07 × 10−7), and ECA7 (p = 8.83 × 10−7). The application of angular measurements in genetic studies may increase our understanding of the underlying genetic effects of important traits in equine breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annik Imogen Gmel
- Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Les Longs-Prés, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Druml
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Veterinary University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Markus Neuditschko
- Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Les Longs-Prés, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Newman EA, Wu D, Taketo MM, Zhang J, Blackshaw S. Canonical Wnt signaling regulates patterning, differentiation and nucleogenesis in mouse hypothalamus and prethalamus. Dev Biol 2018; 442:236-248. [PMID: 30063881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a small, but anatomically and functionally complex region of the brain whose development is poorly understood. In this study, we have explored its development by studying the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, generating gain and loss of function mutations of beta-catenin (Ctnnb1) in both hypothalamic and prethalamic neuroepithelium. Deletion of Ctnnb1 resulted in an anteriorized and hypoplastic hypothalamus. Posterior structures were lost or reduced, and anterior structures were expanded. In contrast, overexpression of a constitutively active mutant form of Ctnnb1 resulted in severe hyperplasia of prethalamus and hypothalamus, and expanded expression of a subset of posterior and premamillary hypothalamic markers. Moderate defects in differentiation of Arx-positive GABAergic neural precursors were observed in both prethalamus and hypothalamus of Ctnnb1 loss of function mutants, while in gain of function mutants, their differentiation was completely suppressed, although markers of prethalamic progenitors were preserved. Multiple other region-specific markers, including several specific posterior hypothalamic structures, were also suppressed in Ctnnb1 gain of function mutations. Severe, region-specific defects in hypothalamic nucleogenesis were also observed in both gain and loss of function mutations of Ctnnb1. Finally, both gain and loss of function of Ctnnb1 also produced severe, non-cell autonomous disruptions of pituitary development. These findings demonstrate a central and multifaceted role for canonical Wnt signaling in regulating growth, patterning, differentiation and nucleogenesis in multiple diencephalic regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Newman
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makoto Mark Taketo
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Human Systems Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
TGF-β family ligands function in inducing and patterning many tissues of the early vertebrate embryonic body plan. Nodal signaling is essential for the specification of mesendodermal tissues and the concurrent cellular movements of gastrulation. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling patterns tissues along the dorsal-ventral axis and simultaneously directs the cell movements of convergence and extension. After gastrulation, a second wave of Nodal signaling breaks the symmetry between the left and right sides of the embryo. During these processes, elaborate regulatory feedback between TGF-β ligands and their antagonists direct the proper specification and patterning of embryonic tissues. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the function and regulation of TGF-β family signaling in these processes. Although we cover principles that are involved in the development of all vertebrate embryos, we focus specifically on three popular model organisms: the mouse Mus musculus, the African clawed frog of the genus Xenopus, and the zebrafish Danio rerio, highlighting the similarities and differences between these species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Zinski
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Benjamin Tajer
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Mary C Mullins
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Transcriptional control of oxytocinergic cell development influences social, sexual, and appetite related behaviors and is implicated in disorders such as autism and Prader-Willi syndrome. Mediator 12 (Med12) is a transcriptional coactivator required for multiple facets of brain development including subsets of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. We surveyed hormone gene expression within the hypothalamo-pituitary axis of med12 mutant zebrafish embryos with a focus on oxytocin (oxt) expression. Some transcripts, such as oxt, vasopressin (avp) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) are undetectable in the med12 mutant, while others are upregulated or downregulated to varying degrees. In med12 mutants, the expression patterns of upstream transcriptional regulators of oxytocinergic cell development remain largely intact in the pre-optic area, suggesting a more direct influence of Med12 on oxt expression. We show that Med12 is required for Wnt signaling in zebrafish. However, oxt expression is unaffected in Wnt-inhibited embryos indicating independence of Wnt signaling. In fact, overactive Wnt signaling inhibits oxt expression, and we identify a Wnt-sensitive period starting at 24 h post fertilization (hpf). Thus, Med12 and repression of Wnt signaling display critical but unrelated roles in regulating oxt expression. Summary: Mediator 12, a transcriptional coactivator, greatly enhances Wnt signaling in the developing embryo. Separate from its role in Wnt signaling, Mediator 12 is required for oxytocin expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Spikol
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zuccarini M, Giuliani P, Ziberi S, Carluccio M, Iorio PD, Caciagli F, Ciccarelli R. The Role of Wnt Signal in Glioblastoma Development and Progression: A Possible New Pharmacological Target for the Therapy of This Tumor. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9020105. [PMID: 29462960 PMCID: PMC5852601 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt is a complex signaling pathway involved in the regulation of crucial biological functions such as development, proliferation, differentiation and migration of cells, mainly stem cells, which are virtually present in all embryonic and adult tissues. Conversely, dysregulation of Wnt signal is implicated in development/progression/invasiveness of different kinds of tumors, wherein a certain number of multipotent cells, namely “cancer stem cells”, are characterized by high self-renewal and aggressiveness. Hence, the pharmacological modulation of Wnt pathway could be of particular interest, especially in tumors for which the current standard therapy results to be unsuccessful. This might be the case of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most lethal, aggressive and recurrent brain cancers, probably due to the presence of highly malignant GBM stem cells (GSCs) as well as to a dysregulation of Wnt system. By examining the most recent literature, here we point out several factors in the Wnt pathway that are altered in human GBM and derived GSCs, as well as new molecular strategies or experimental drugs able to modulate/inhibit aberrant Wnt signal. Altogether, these aspects serve to emphasize the existence of alternative pharmacological targets that may be useful to develop novel therapies for GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Patricia Giuliani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sihana Ziberi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Marzia Carluccio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Francesco Caciagli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Renata Ciccarelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Transcriptome variations among human embryonic stem cell lines are associated with their differentiation propensity. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192625. [PMID: 29444173 PMCID: PMC5812638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to form any cell type in the body, making them attractive cell sources in drug screening, regenerative medicine, disease and developmental processes modeling. However, not all hESC lines have the equal potency to generate desired cell types in vitro. Significant variations have been observed for the differentiation efficiency of various human ESC lines. The precise underpinning molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In this work, we compared transcriptome variations of four hESC lines H7, HUES1, HUES8 and HUES9. We found that hESC lines have different gene expression profiles, and these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are significantly enriched in developmental processes, such as ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal development. The enrichment difference between hESC lines was consistent with its lineage bias. Among these DEGs, some pluripotency factors and genes involved in signaling transduction showed great variations as well. The pleiotropic functions of these genes in controlling hESC identity and early lineage specification, implicated that different hESC lines may utilize distinct balance mechanisms to maintain pluripotent state. When the balance is broken in a certain environment, gene expression variation between them could impact on their different lineage specification behavior.
Collapse
|
22
|
Miquelajáuregui A, Sandoval-Schaefer T, Martínez-Armenta M, Pérez-Martínez L, Cárabez A, Zhao Y, Heide M, Alvarez-Bolado G, Varela-Echavarría A. LIM homeobox protein 5 (Lhx5) is essential for mamillary body development. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:136. [PMID: 26578897 PMCID: PMC4621302 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The mamillary body (MM) is a group of hypothalamic nuclei related to memory and spatial navigation that interconnects hippocampal, thalamic, and tegmental regions. Here we demonstrate that Lhx5, a LIM-HD domain transcription factor expressed early in the developing posterior hypothalamus, is required for the generation of the MM and its derived tracts. The MM markers Foxb1, Sim2, and Lhx1 are absent in Lhx5 knock-out mice from early embryonic stages, suggesting abnormal specification of this region. This was supported by the absence of Nkx2.1 and expansion of Shh in the prospective mamillary area. Interestingly, we also found an ectopic domain expressing Lhx2 and Lhx9 along the anterio-posterior hypothalamic axis. Our results suggest that Lhx5 controls early aspects of hypothalamic development by regulating gene expression and cellular specification in the prospective MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amaya Miquelajáuregui
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Teresa Sandoval-Schaefer
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Miriam Martínez-Armenta
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunobiología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Leonor Pérez-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunobiología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Cárabez
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Yangu Zhao
- Program on Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Heide
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Alfredo Varela-Echavarría
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Heide M, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Zhao T, Miquelajáuregui A, Varela-Echavarría A, Alvarez-Bolado G. Lhx5 controls mamillary differentiation in the developing hypothalamus of the mouse. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:113. [PMID: 26321924 PMCID: PMC4536661 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of specific neuronal identity by individual brain nuclei is a key step in brain development. However, how the mechanisms that confer neuronal identity are integrated with upstream regional specification networks is still mysterious. Expression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is required for hypothalamic specification and is later downregulated by Tbx3 to allow for the differentiation of the tubero-mamillary region. In this region, the mamillary body (MBO), is a large neuronal aggregate essential for memory formation. To clarify how MBO identity is acquired after regional specification, we investigated Lhx5, a transcription factor with restricted MBO expression. We first generated a hypomorph allele of Lhx5—in homozygotes, the MBO disappears after initial specification. Intriguingly, in these mutants, Tbx3 was downregulated and the Shh expression domain abnormally extended. Microarray analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that Lhx5 appears to be involved in Shh downregulation through Tbx3 and activates several MBO-specific regulator and effector genes. Finally, by tracing the caudal hypothalamic cell lineage we show that, in the Lhx5 mutant, at least some MBO cells are present but lack characteristic marker expression. Our work shows how the Lhx5 locus contributes to integrate regional specification pathways with downstream acquisition of neuronal identity in the MBO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heide
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuanfeng Zhang
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xunlei Zhou
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Oral Disease and Biomedical Sciences, Stomatological Hospital, Chongqing Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Amaya Miquelajáuregui
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Varela-Echavarría
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Querétaro, Mexico
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sun L, Chen F, Peng G. Conserved Noncoding Sequences Regulate lhx5 Expression in the Zebrafish Forebrain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132525. [PMID: 26147098 PMCID: PMC4492605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The LIM homeobox family protein Lhx5 plays important roles in forebrain development in the vertebrates. The lhx5 gene exhibits complex temporal and spatial expression patterns during early development but its transcriptional regulation mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we have used transgenesis in zebrafish in order to define regulatory elements that drive lhx5 expression in the forebrain. Through comparative genomic analysis we identified 10 non-coding sequences conserved in five teleost species. We next examined the enhancer activities of these conserved non-coding sequences with Tol2 transposon mediated transgenesis. We found a proximately located enhancer gave rise to robust reporter EGFP expression in the forebrain regions. In addition, we identified an enhancer located at approximately 50 kb upstream of lhx5 coding region that is responsible for reporter gene expression in the hypothalamus. We also identify an enhancer located approximately 40 kb upstream of the lhx5 coding region that is required for expression in the prethalamus (ventral thalamus). Together our results suggest discrete enhancer elements control lhx5 expression in different regions of the forebrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liu Sun
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengjiao Chen
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Peng
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang P, Yao Q, Lu L, Li Y, Chen PJ, Duan C. Hypoxia-inducible factor 3 is an oxygen-dependent transcription activator and regulates a distinct transcriptional response to hypoxia. Cell Rep 2014; 6:1110-1121. [PMID: 24613356 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play key roles in the cellular response to hypoxia. It is widely accepted that whereas HIF-1 and HIF-2 function as transcriptional activators, HIF-3 inhibits HIF-1/2α action. Contrary to this idea, we show that zebrafish Hif-3α has strong transactivation activity. Hif-3α is degraded under normoxia. Mutation of P393, P493, and L503 inhibits this oxygen-dependent degradation. Transcriptomics and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses identify genes that are regulated by Hif-3α, Hif-1α, or both. Under hypoxia or when overexpressed, Hif-3α binds to its target gene promoters and upregulates their expression. Dominant-negative inhibition and knockdown of Hif-3α abolish hypoxia-induced Hif-3α-promoter binding and gene expression. Hif-3α not only mediates hypoxia-induced growth and developmental retardation but also possesses hypoxia-independent activities. Importantly, transactivation activity is conserved and human HIF-3α upregulates similar genes in human cells. These findings suggest that Hif-3 is an oxygen-dependent transcription factor and activates a distinct transcriptional response to hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China
| | - Qing Yao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China
| | - Ling Lu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China
| | - Yun Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education and School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China
| | - Po-Ju Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Cunming Duan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sfrp1a and Sfrp5 function as positive regulators of Wnt and BMP signaling during early retinal development. Dev Biol 2014; 388:192-204. [PMID: 24457098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Axial patterning of the developing eye is critically important for proper axonal pathfinding as well as for key morphogenetic events, such as closure of the optic fissure. The dorsal retina is initially specified by the actions of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling, with such identity subsequently maintained by the Wnt-β catenin pathway. Using zebrafish as a model system, we demonstrate that Secreted frizzled-related protein 1a (Sfrp1a) and Sfrp5 work cooperatively to pattern the retina along the dorso-ventral axis. Sfrp1a/5 depleted embryos display a reduction in dorsal marker gene expression that is consistent with defects in BMP- and Wnt-dependent dorsal retina identity. In accord with this finding, we observe a marked reduction in transgenic reporters of BMP and Wnt signaling within the dorsal retina of Sfrp1a/5 depleted embryos. In contrast to studies in which canonical Wnt signaling is blocked, we note an increase in BMP ligand expression in Sfrp1a/5 depleted embryos, a phenotype similar to that seen in embryos with inhibited BMP signaling. Overexpression of a low dose of sfrp5 mRNA causes an increase in dorsal retina marker gene expression. We propose a model in which Sfrp proteins function as facilitators of both BMP and Wnt signaling within the dorsal retina.
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang J, Li X, Jevince AR, Guan L, Wang J, Hall DH, Huang X, Ding M. Neuronal target identification requires AHA-1-mediated fine-tuning of Wnt signaling in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003618. [PMID: 23825972 PMCID: PMC3694823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical synaptic transmission through gap junctions is a vital mode of intercellular communication in the nervous system. The mechanism by which reciprocal target cells find each other during the formation of gap junctions, however, is poorly understood. Here we show that gap junctions are formed between BDU interneurons and PLM mechanoreceptors in C. elegans and the connectivity of BDU with PLM is influenced by Wnt signaling. We further identified two PAS-bHLH family transcription factors, AHA-1 and AHR-1, which function cell-autonomously within BDU and PLM to facilitate the target identification process. aha-1 and ahr-1 act genetically upstream of cam-1. CAM-1, a membrane-bound receptor tyrosine kinase, is present on both BDU and PLM cells and likely serves as a Wnt antagonist. By binding to a cis-regulatory element in the cam-1 promoter, AHA-1 enhances cam-1 transcription. Our study reveals a Wnt-dependent fine-tuning mechanism that is crucial for mutual target cell identification during the formation of gap junction connections. The establishment of functional neuronal circuits requires that different neurons respond selectively to guidance molecules at particular times and in specific locations. In the target region, where cells connect, the same guidance molecules steer the growth of neurites from both the neuron and its target cell. The spatial, temporal, and cell-type-specific regulation of neuronal connection needs to be tightly regulated and precisely coordinated within the neuron and its target cell to achieve effective connection. In this study, we found that the precise connectivity of the BDU interneuron and the PLM mechanoreceptor in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is influenced by Wnt signaling. BDU-PLM contact also depends on the transcription factor AHA-1, which functions within both BDU and PLM cells to enhance transcription of the gene encoding the trans-membrane receptor CAM-1. CAM-1 is present on BDU and PLM and likely serves as a Wnt antagonist, thus linking transcriptional regulation by AHA-1 to modulation of Wnt signaling. Therefore, our study reveals a locally confined, cell type-specific and cell-autonomous mechanism that mediates mutual target identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Angela R. Jevince
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Liying Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David H. Hall
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Xun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (MD)
| | - Mei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (XH); (MD)
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Yang B, Peng G, Gao J. Expression of unc5 family genes in zebrafish brain during embryonic development. Gene Expr Patterns 2013; 13:311-8. [PMID: 23806443 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
UNC5 family proteins are trans-membrane receptors which mediate both repulsion and attraction signals for the axonal growth cones. The UNC5 family proteins may also play critical roles in angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. Here we have determined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of unc5 gene family members (unc5a, unc5b, unc5c, unc5da and unc5db) by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RT-PCR results showed that all transcripts except unc5b were expressed maternally. While unc5b and unc5c transcript was detected at all time points between shield stage and 48h post fertilization (hpf), unc5a, unc5da and unc5db showed expression at 24hpf and later time points. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that unc5a, unc5da and unc5db transcripts were expressed in the telencephalon, parts of thalamus and hindbrain between 24 and 48hpf. The expression patterns of unc5a-unc5da and unc5a-unc5db in the telencephalon showed substantial overlap by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Unc5b showed expression in the eye region, epiphysis and thalamus. Unc5c showed expression in the roof plate, the hindbrain and the mouth region. Our results provide a starting point to uncovering roles of unc5 gene family in zebrafish forebrain development and axonal outgrowth or guidance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yang
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Stuckenholz C, Lu L, Thakur PC, Choi TY, Shin D, Bahary N. Sfrp5 modulates both Wnt and BMP signaling and regulates gastrointestinal organogenesis [corrected] in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62470. [PMID: 23638093 PMCID: PMC3639276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sfrp5 belongs to the family of secreted frizzled related proteins (Sfrp), secreted inhibitors of Wingless-MMTV Integration Site (Wnt) signaling, which play an important role in cancer and development. We selected sfrp5 because of its compelling expression profile in the developing endoderm in zebrafish, Danio rerio. In this study, overexpression of sfrp5 in embryos results in defects in both convergent extension (CE) by inhibition of non-canonical Wnt signaling and defects in dorsoventral patterning by inhibition of Tolloid-mediated proteolysis of the BMP inhibitor Chordin. From 25 hours post fertilization (hpf) to 3 days post fertilization (dpf), both overexpression and knockdown of Sfrp5 decrease the size of the endoderm, significantly reducing liver cell number. At 3 dpf, insulin-positive endodermal cells fail to coalesce into a single pancreatic islet. We show that Sfrp5 inhibits both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling during embryonic and endodermal development, resulting in endodermal abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Stuckenholz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lili Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Prakash C. Thakur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tae-Young Choi
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nathan Bahary
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wnt signal specifies the intrathalamic limit and its organizer properties by regulating Shh induction in the alar plate. J Neurosci 2013; 33:3967-80. [PMID: 23447606 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0726-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural complexity of the brain depends on precise molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms orchestrated by regional morphogenetic organizers. The thalamic organizer is the zona limitans intrathalamica (ZLI), a transverse linear neuroepithelial domain in the alar plate of the diencephalon. Because of its production of Sonic hedgehog, ZLI acts as a morphogenetic signaling center. Shh is expressed early on in the prosencephalic basal plate and is then gradually activated dorsally within the ZLI. The anteroposterior positioning and the mechanism inducing Shh expression in ZLI cells are still partly unknown, being a subject of controversial interpretations. For instance, separate experimental results have suggested that juxtaposition of prechordal (rostral) and epichordal (caudal) neuroepithelium, anteroposterior encroachment of alar lunatic fringe (L-fng) expression, and/or basal Shh signaling is required for ZLI specification. Here we investigated a key role of Wnt signaling in the molecular regulation of ZLI positioning and Shh expression, using experimental embryology in ovo in the chick. Early Wnt expression in the ZLI regulates Gli3 and L-fng to generate a permissive territory in which Shh is progressively induced by planar signals of the basal plate.
Collapse
|
31
|
Maximino C, Lima MG, Oliveira KRM, Batista EDJO, Herculano AM. “Limbic associative” and “autonomic” amygdala in teleosts: A review of the evidence. J Chem Neuroanat 2013; 48-49:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Revised: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
32
|
Winchell CJ, Jacobs DK. Expression of the Lhx genes apterous and lim1 in an errant polychaete: implications for bilaterian appendage evolution, neural development, and muscle diversification. EvoDevo 2013; 4:4. [PMID: 23369627 PMCID: PMC3579752 DOI: 10.1186/2041-9139-4-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Arthropod and vertebrate appendages appear to have evolved via parallel co-option of a plesiomorphic gene regulatory network. Our previous work implies that annelids evolved unrelated appendage-forming mechanisms; we therefore found no support for homology of parapodia and arthropodia at the level of the whole appendage. We expand on that study here by asking whether expression of the LIM homeobox (Lhx) genes apterous and lim1 in the annelid Neanthes arenaceodentata supports homology of the dorsal branches as well as the proximodistal axes of parapodia and arthropodia. In addition, we explore whether the neural expression of apterous and lim1 in Neanthes supports the putative ancestral function of the Lhx gene family in regulating the differentiation and maintenance of neuronal subtypes. RESULTS Both genes exhibit continuous expression in specific portions of the developing central nervous system, from hatching to at least the 13-chaetiger stage. For example, nerve cord expression occurs in segmentally iterated patterns consisting of diffuse sets of many lim1-positive cells and comparatively fewer, clustered pairs of apterous-positive cells. Additionally, continuous apterous expression is observed in presumed neurosecretory ganglia of the posterior brain, while lim1 is continuously expressed in stomatogastric ganglia of the anterior brain. apterous is also expressed in the jaw sacs, dorsal parapodial muscles, and a presumed pair of cephalic sensory organs, whereas lim1 is expressed in multiple pharyngeal ganglia, the segmental peripheral nervous system, neuropodial chaetal sac muscles, and parapodial ligules. CONCLUSIONS The early and persistent nervous system expression of apterous and lim1 in Neanthes juveniles supports conservation of Lhx function in bilaterian neural differentiation and maintenance. Our results also suggest that diversification of parapodial muscle precursors involves a complementary LIM code similar to those generating distinct neuronal identities in fly and mouse nerve cords. Expression of apterous and lim1 in discrete components of developing parapodia is intriguing but does not map to comparable expression of these genes in developing arthropod appendages. Thus, annelid and arthropod appendage development apparently evolved, in part, via distinct co-option of the neuronal regulatory architecture. These divergent patterns of apterous and lim1 activity seemingly reflect de novo origins of parapodia and arthropodia, although we discuss alternative hypotheses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Winchell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 621 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 515 LSA #3200, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA
| | - David K Jacobs
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 621 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Suzuki IK, Hirata T. Neocortical neurogenesis is not really “neo”: A new evolutionary model derived from a comparative study of chick pallial development. Dev Growth Differ 2012; 55:173-87. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ikuo K. Suzuki
- Division of Brain Function; National Institute of Genetics; Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai); Yata 1111; Mishima; 411-8540; Japan
| | - Tatsumi Hirata
- Division of Brain Function; National Institute of Genetics; Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai); Yata 1111; Mishima; 411-8540; Japan
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Tran LD, Hino H, Quach H, Lim S, Shindo A, Mimori-Kiyosue Y, Mione M, Ueno N, Winkler C, Hibi M, Sampath K. Dynamic microtubules at the vegetal cortex predict the embryonic axis in zebrafish. Development 2012; 139:3644-52. [PMID: 22949618 DOI: 10.1242/dev.082362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In zebrafish, as in many animals, maternal dorsal determinants are vegetally localized in the egg and are transported after fertilization in a microtubule-dependent manner. However, the organization of early microtubules, their dynamics and their contribution to axis formation are not fully understood. Using live imaging, we identified two populations of microtubules, perpendicular bundles and parallel arrays, which are directionally oriented and detected exclusively at the vegetal cortex before the first cell division. Perpendicular bundles emanate from the vegetal cortex, extend towards the blastoderm, and orient along the animal-vegetal axis. Parallel arrays become asymmetric on the vegetal cortex, and orient towards dorsal. We show that the orientation of microtubules at 20 minutes post-fertilization can predict where the embryonic dorsal structures in zebrafish will form. Furthermore, we find that parallel microtubule arrays colocalize with wnt8a RNA, the candidate maternal dorsal factor. Vegetal cytoplasmic granules are displaced with parallel arrays by ~20°, providing in vivo evidence of a cortical rotation-like process in zebrafish. Cortical displacement requires parallel microtubule arrays, and probably contributes to asymmetric transport of maternal determinants. Formation of parallel arrays depends on Ca(2+) signaling. Thus, microtubule polarity and organization predicts the zebrafish embryonic axis. In addition, our results suggest that cortical rotation-like processes might be more common in early development than previously thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Duc Tran
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, 117604 Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Robo2--slit and Dcc--netrin1 coordinate neuron axonal pathfinding within the embryonic axon tracts. J Neurosci 2012; 32:12589-602. [PMID: 22956848 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6518-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the embryonic vertebrate brain, early born neurons establish highly stereotyped embryonic axonal tracts along which the neuronal interconnections form. To understand the mechanism underlying neuron axonal pathfinding within the embryonic scaffold of axon tracts, we studied zebrafish anterior dorsal telencephalic (ADt) neuron development. While previous studies suggest the ADt neuronal axons extend along a commissural tract [anterior commissure (AC)] and a descending ipsilateral tract [supraoptic tract (SOT)], it is unclear whether individual ADt neuronal axons choose specific projection paths at the intersection between the AC and the SOT. We labeled individual ADt neurons using a forebrain-specific promoter to drive expression of fluorescent proteins. We found the ADt axonal projection patterns were heterogeneous and correlated with their soma positions. Our results suggest that cell intrinsic differences along the dorsal ventral axis of the telencephalon regulate the axonal projection choices. Next, we determined that the guidance receptors roundabout2 (Robo2) and deleted in colorectal cancer (Dcc) were differentially expressed in the ADt neurons. We showed that knocking down Robo2 function by injecting antisense morpholino oligonucleotides abolished the ipsilateral SOT originating from the ADt neurons. Knocking down Dcc function did not prevent formation of the AC and the SOT. In contrast, the AC was specifically reduced when Netrin1 function was knocked down. Further mechanistic studies suggested that Robo2 responded to the repellent Slit signals and suppressed the attractive Netrin signals. These findings demonstrate how Robo2-Slit and Dcc-Netrin coordinate the axonal projection choices of the developing neurons in the vertebrate forebrain.
Collapse
|
36
|
Hagemann AIH, Scholpp S. The Tale of the Three Brothers - Shh, Wnt, and Fgf during Development of the Thalamus. Front Neurosci 2012; 6:76. [PMID: 22654733 PMCID: PMC3361129 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2012.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamic complex is an essential part of the brain that requires a combination of specialized activities to attain its final complexity. In the following review we will describe the induction process of the mid-diencephalic organizer (MDO) where three different signaling pathways merge: Wnt, Shh, and Fgf. Here, we dissect the function of each signaling pathway in the thalamus in chronological order of their appearance. First we describe the Wnt mediated induction of the MDO and compartition of the caudal forebrain, then the Shh mediated determination of proneural gene expression before discussing recent progress in characterizing Fgf function during thalamus development. Then, we focus on transcription factors, which are regulated by these pathways and which play a pivotal role in neurogenesis in the thalamus. The three signaling pathways act together in a strictly regulated chronology to orchestrate the development of the entire thalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja I H Hagemann
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gao J, Zhang C, Yang B, Sun L, Zhang C, Westerfield M, Peng G. Dcc regulates asymmetric outgrowth of forebrain neurons in zebrafish. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36516. [PMID: 22606267 PMCID: PMC3351449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The guidance receptor DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer) ortholog UNC-40 regulates neuronal asymmetry development in Caenorhabditis elegans, but it is not known whether DCC plays a role in the specification of neuronal polarity in vertebrates. To examine the roles of DCC in neuronal asymmetry regulation in vertebrates, we studied zebrafish anterior dorsal telencephalon (ADt) neuronal axons. We generated transgenic zebrafish animals expressing the photo-convertible fluorescent protein Kaede in ADt neurons and then photo-converted Kaede to label specifically the ADt neuron axons. We found that ADt axons normally project ventrally. Knock down of Dcc function by injecting antisense morpholino oligonucleotides caused the ADt neurons to project axons dorsally. To examine the axon projection pattern of individual ADt neurons, we labeled single ADt neurons using a forebrain-specific promoter to drive fluorescent protein expression. We found that individual ADt neurons projected axons dorsally or formed multiple processes after morpholino knock down of Dcc function. We further found that knock down of the Dcc ligand, Netrin1, also caused ADt neurons to project axons dorsally. Knockdown of Neogenin1, a guidance receptor closely related to Dcc, enhanced the formation of aberrant dorsal axons in embryos injected with Dcc morpholino. These experiments provide the first evidence that Dcc regulates polarized axon initiation and asymmetric outgrowth of forebrain neurons in vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingxia Gao
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changwen Zhang
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liu Sun
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuizhen Zhang
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Gang Peng
- Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Mattes B, Weber S, Peres J, Chen Q, Davidson G, Houart C, Scholpp S. Wnt3 and Wnt3a are required for induction of the mid-diencephalic organizer in the caudal forebrain. Neural Dev 2012; 7:12. [PMID: 22475147 PMCID: PMC3349543 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8104-7-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A fundamental requirement for development of diverse brain regions is the function of local organizers at morphological boundaries. These organizers are restricted groups of cells that secrete signaling molecules, which in turn regulate the fate of the adjacent neural tissue. The thalamus is located in the caudal diencephalon and is the central relay station between the sense organs and higher brain areas. The mid-diencephalic organizer (MDO) orchestrates the development of the thalamus by releasing secreted signaling molecules such as Shh. Results Here we show that canonical Wnt signaling in the caudal forebrain is required for the formation of the Shh-secreting MD organizer in zebrafish. Wnt signaling induces the MDO in a narrow time window of 4 hours - between 10 and 14 hours post fertilization. Loss of Wnt3 and Wnt3a prevents induction of the MDO, a phenotype also observed upon blockage of canonical Wnt signaling per se. Pharmaceutical activation of the canonical Wnt pathways in Wnt3/Wnt3a compound morphant embryos is able to restore the lack of the MDO. After blockage of Wnt signaling or knock-down of Wnt3/Wnt3a we find an increase of apoptotic cells specifically within the organizer primordium. Consistently, blockage of apoptosis restores the thalamus organizer MDO in Wnt deficient embryos. Conclusion We have identified canonical Wnt signaling as a novel pathway, that is required for proper formation of the MDO and consequently for the development of the major relay station of the brain - the thalamus. We propose that Wnt ligands are necessary to maintain the primordial tissue of the organizer during somitogenesis by suppressing Tp53-mediated apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Mattes
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Miyake A, Nihno S, Murakoshi Y, Satsuka A, Nakayama Y, Itoh N. Neucrin, a novel secreted antagonist of canonical Wnt signaling, plays roles in developing neural tissues in zebrafish. Mech Dev 2012; 128:577-90. [PMID: 22265871 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays crucial roles in neural development. We previously identified Neucrin, a neural-specific secreted antagonist of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, in humans and mice. Neucrin has one cysteine-rich domain, in which the positions of 10 cysteine residues are similar to those in the second cysteine-rich domain of Dickkopfs, secreted Wnt antagonists. Here, we have identified zebrafish neucrin to understand its roles in vivo. Zebrafish Neucrin also has one cysteine-rich domain, which is significantly similar to that of mouse Neucrin. Zebrafish neucrin was also predominantly expressed in developing neural tissues. To examine roles of neucrin in neural development, we analyzed neucrin knockdown embryos. Neural development in zebrafish embryos was impaired by the knockdown of neucrin. The knockdown of neucrin caused increased expression of the Wnt/β-catenin target genes. In contrast, overexpression of neucrin reduced the expression of the Wnt/β-catenin target genes. The knockdown of neucrin affected specification of dorsal region in the midbrain and hindbrain. The knockdown of neucrin also suppressed neuronal differentiation and caused increased cell proliferation and apoptosis in developing neural tissues. Neucrin is a unique secreted Wnt antagonist that is predominantly expressed in developing neural tissues and plays roles in neural development in zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Miyake
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zheng Q, Zhao Y. The diverse biofunctions of LIM domain proteins: determined by subcellular localization and protein-protein interaction. Biol Cell 2012; 99:489-502. [PMID: 17696879 DOI: 10.1042/bc20060126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The LIM domain is a cysteine- and histidine-rich motif that has been proposed to direct protein-protein interactions. A diverse group of proteins containing LIM domains have been identified, which display various functions including gene regulation and cell fate determination, tumour formation and cytoskeleton organization. LIM domain proteins are distributed in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and they exert their functions through interactions with various protein partners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quanhui Zheng
- Transplantation Biology Research Division, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Peukert D, Weber S, Lumsden A, Scholpp S. Lhx2 and Lhx9 determine neuronal differentiation and compartition in the caudal forebrain by regulating Wnt signaling. PLoS Biol 2011; 9:e1001218. [PMID: 22180728 PMCID: PMC3236734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Initial axial patterning of the neural tube into forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain primordia occurs during gastrulation. After this patterning phase, further diversification within the brain is thought to proceed largely independently in the different primordia. However, mechanisms that maintain the demarcation of brain subdivisions at later stages are poorly understood. In the alar plate of the caudal forebrain there are two principal units, the thalamus and the pretectum, each of which is a developmental compartment. Here we show that proper neuronal differentiation of the thalamus requires Lhx2 and Lhx9 function. In Lhx2/Lhx9-deficient zebrafish embryos the differentiation process is blocked and the dorsally adjacent Wnt positive epithalamus expands into the thalamus. This leads to an upregulation of Wnt signaling in the caudal forebrain. Lack of Lhx2/Lhx9 function as well as increased Wnt signaling alter the expression of the thalamus specific cell adhesion factor pcdh10b and lead subsequently to a striking anterior-posterior disorganization of the caudal forebrain. We therefore suggest that after initial neural tube patterning, neurogenesis within a brain compartment influences the integrity of the neuronal progenitor pool and border formation of a neuromeric compartment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Peukert
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe, Germany
- MRC Centre of Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Weber
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andrew Lumsden
- MRC Centre of Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Scholpp
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), Karlsruhe, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
|
43
|
Scholpp S, Lumsden A. Building a bridal chamber: development of the thalamus. Trends Neurosci 2010; 33:373-80. [PMID: 20541814 PMCID: PMC2954313 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2010.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The thalamus is a central brain region that plays a crucial role in distributing incoming sensory information to appropriate regions of the cortex. The thalamus develops in the posterior part of the embryonic forebrain, where early cell fate decisions are controlled by a local signaling center – the mid-diencephalic organizer – which forms at the boundary between prospective prethalamus and thalamus. In this review we discuss recent observations of early thalamic development in zebrafish, chick, and mouse embryos, that reveal a conserved set of interactions between homeodomain transcription factors. These interactions position the organizer along the neuraxis. The most prominent of the organizer's signals, Sonic hedgehog, is necessary for conferring regional identity on the prethalamus and thalamus and for patterning their differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Scholpp
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Toxicology and Genetics, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Viktorin G, Chiuchitu C, Rissler M, Varga ZM, Westerfield M. Emx3 is required for the differentiation of dorsal telencephalic neurons. Dev Dyn 2009; 238:1984-98. [PMID: 19650145 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
emx3 is first expressed in prospective telencephalic cells at the anterior border of the zebrafish neural plate. Knockdown of Emx3 function by morpholino reduces the expression of markers specific to dorsal telencephalon, and impairs axon tract formation. Rescue of both early and late markers requires low-level expression of emx3 at the one- or two-somite stage. Higher emx3 expression levels cause dorsal telencephalic markers to expand ventrally, which points to a possible role of emx3 in specifying dorsal telencephalon and a potential new function for Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activation. In contrast to mice, where Emx2 plays a major role in dorsal telencephalic development, knockdown of zebrafish Emx2 apparently does not affect telencephalic development. Similarly, Emx1 knockdown has little effect. Previously, emx3 was thought to be fish-specific. However, we found all three emx orthologs in Xenopus tropicalis and opossum (Monodelphis domestica) genomes, indicating that emx3 was present in an ancestral tetrapod genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Viktorin
- Institute of Developmental Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ruiz JM, Rodríguez J, Bovolenta P. Growth and differentiation of the retina and the optic tectum in the medaka fish requires olSfrp5. Dev Neurobiol 2009; 69:617-32. [PMID: 19507177 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins (SFRPs) are extracellular modulators of Wnt and Bmp signaling. Previous studies in birds and fishes have shown that Sfrp1, a member of this family, is strongly expressed throughout the development of the eye contributing to the specification of the eye field, retina neurogenesis and providing guidance information to retina ganglion cell axons. Here, we report that in medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) the expression of olSfrp5, which is closely related to olSfrp1, largely overlaps with that of olSfrp1 in the eye, but is additionally expressed in the developing midbrain and gut primordium. Morpholino-based interference with olSfrp5 expression causes microphthalmia and reduction of the tectum size associated with an increase in apoptotic cell death in these structures. Furthermore, interference with the levels of olSfrp5 expression impairs the patterning of the ventral portion of the optic cup, leading in some cases to a fissure coloboma. These early defects are followed by an abnormal retinal and tectal neurogenesis. In particular, only reduced numbers of photoreceptor and RGC were generated in olSfrp5 morphants retinas. The results point to an important role of olSfrp5 in visual system formation and indicate that olSfrp1 and olSfrp5, despite their overlapping expression, have only partially redundant function during eye development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Maria Ruiz
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hoch RV, Rubenstein JL, Pleasure S. Genes and signaling events that establish regional patterning of the mammalian forebrain. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2009; 20:378-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2009.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 02/13/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
47
|
Apc1 is required for maintenance of local brain organizers and dorsal midbrain survival. Dev Biol 2009; 331:101-12. [PMID: 19397905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2009] [Revised: 04/19/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor Apc1 is an intracellular antagonist of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, which is vital for induction and patterning of the early vertebrate brain. However, its role in later brain development is less clear. Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying effects of an Apc1 zygotic-effect mutation on late brain development in zebrafish. Apc1 is required for maintenance of established brain subdivisions and control of local organizers such as the isthmic organizer (IsO). Caudal expansion of Fgf8 from IsO into the cerebellum is accompanied by hyperproliferation and abnormal cerebellar morphogenesis. Loss of apc1 results in reduced proliferation and apoptosis in the dorsal midbrain. Mosaic analysis shows that Apc is required cell-autonomously for maintenance of dorsal midbrain cell fate. The tectal phenotype occurs independently of Fgf8-mediated IsO function and is predominantly caused by stabilization of beta-catenin and subsequent hyperactivation of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling, which is mainly mediated through LEF1 activity. Chemical activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin in wild-type embryos during late brain maintenance stages phenocopies the IsO and tectal phenotypes of the apc mutants. These data demonstrate that Apc1-mediated restriction of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling is required for maintenance of local organizers and tectal integrity.
Collapse
|
48
|
Neurodevelopment genes in lampreys reveal trends for forebrain evolution in craniates. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5374. [PMID: 19399187 PMCID: PMC2671401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The forebrain is the brain region which has undergone the most dramatic changes through vertebrate evolution. Analyses conducted in lampreys are essential to gain insight into the broad ancestral characteristics of the forebrain at the dawn of vertebrates, and to understand the molecular basis for the diversifications that have taken place in cyclostomes and gnathostomes following their splitting. Here, we report the embryonic expression patterns of 43 lamprey genes, coding for transcription factors or signaling molecules known to be involved in cell proliferation, stemcellness, neurogenesis, patterning and regionalization in the developing forebrain. Systematic expression patterns comparisons with model organisms highlight conservations likely to reflect shared features present in the vertebrate ancestors. They also point to changes in signaling systems –pathways which control the growth and patterning of the neuroepithelium-, which may have been crucial in the evolution of forebrain anatomy at the origin of vertebrates.
Collapse
|
49
|
Ochi H, Westerfield M. Lbx2 regulates formation of myofibrils. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2009; 9:13. [PMID: 19216761 PMCID: PMC2656488 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-9-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2008] [Accepted: 02/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle differentiation requires assembly of contractile proteins into organized myofibrils. The Drosophila ladybird homeobox gene (lad) functions in founder cells of the segmental border muscle to promote myoblast fusion and muscle shaping. Tetrapods have two homologous genes (Lbx). Lbx1 functions in migration and/or proliferation of hypaxial myoblasts, whereas the function of Lbx2 is poorly understood. RESULTS To elucidate the role of Lbx in vertebrate myogenesis, we examined Lbx function in zebrafish. Zebrafish lbx2 transcripts appear in newly formed paraxial mesoderm and become restricted to adaxial cells, precursors of slow muscle. Slow muscles lose lbx2 expression as they differentiate, while a subset of differentiating fast muscle cells transiently expresses lbx2. Fin and hyoid muscle express lbx2 later. In contrast, lbx1b expression first appears lateral to the somites at late segmentation stages and is later restricted to fin muscle. Morpholino knockdown of Lbx1b and Lbx2 suppresses hypaxial muscle development. Moreover, knockdown of Lbx2 results in malformation of muscle fibers and reduced fusion of fast precursors, although no obvious effects on induction or specification are observed. Expression of myofilament genes, including actin and myosin, requires the engrailed repressor domain of Lbx2. CONCLUSION Our results elucidate a new function of Lbx2 as a regulator of myofibril formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Ochi
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1254, USA
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Developmental Genomics Research Group, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama Ikoma Nara 630-0192, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bovolenta P, Esteve P, Ruiz JM, Cisneros E, Lopez-Rios J. Beyond Wnt inhibition: new functions of secreted Frizzled-related proteins in development and disease. J Cell Sci 2008; 121:737-46. [PMID: 18322270 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.026096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The secreted Frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are a family of soluble proteins that are structurally related to Frizzled (Fz) proteins, the serpentine receptors that mediate the extensively used cell-cell communication pathway involving Wnt signalling. Because of their homology with the Wnt-binding domain on the Fz receptors, SFRPs were immediately characterised as antagonists that bind to Wnt proteins to prevent signal activation. Since these initial studies, interest in the family of SFRPs has grown progressively, offering new perspectives on their function and mechanism of action in both development and disease. These studies indicate that SFRPs are not merely Wnt-binding proteins, but can also antagonise one another's activity, bind to Fz receptors and influence axon guidance, interfere with BMP signalling by acting as proteinase inhibitors, and interact with other receptors or matrix molecules. Furthermore, their expression is altered in different types of cancers, bone pathologies, retinal degeneration and hypophosphatemic diseases, indicating that their activity is fundamental for tissue homeostasis. Here we review some of the debated aspects of SFRP-Wnt interactions and discuss the new and emerging roles of SFRPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Bovolenta
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Dr Arce 37, Madrid 28002, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|