1
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Sakagami K, Igawa T, Saikawa K, Sakaguchi Y, Hossain N, Kato C, Kinemori K, Suzuki N, Suzuki M, Kawaguchi A, Ochi H, Tajika Y, Ogino H. Development of a heat-stable alkaline phosphatase reporter system for cis-regulatory analysis and its application to 3D digital imaging of Xenopus embryonic tissues. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:256-265. [PMID: 38439617 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12919] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Xenopus is one of the essential model systems for studying vertebrate development. However, one drawback of this system is that, because of the opacity of Xenopus embryos, 3D imaging analysis is limited to surface structures, explant cultures, and post-embryonic tadpoles. To develop a technique for 3D tissue/organ imaging in whole Xenopus embryos, we identified optimal conditions for using placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) as a transgenic reporter and applied it to the correlative light microscopy and block-face imaging (CoMBI) method for visualization of PLAP-expressing tissues/organs. In embryos whose endogenous alkaline phosphatase activities were heat-inactivated, PLAP staining visualized various tissue-specific enhancer/promoter activities in a manner consistent with green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence. Furthermore, PLAP staining appeared to be more sensitive than GFP fluorescence as a reporter, and the resulting expression patterns were not mosaic, in striking contrast to the mosaic staining pattern of β-galactosidase expressed from the lacZ gene that was introduced by the same transgenesis method. Owing to efficient penetration of alkaline phosphatase substrates, PLAP activity was detected in deep tissues, such as the developing brain, spinal cord, heart, and somites, by whole-mount staining. The stained embryos were analyzed by the CoMBI method, resulting in the digital reconstruction of 3D images of the PLAP-expressing tissues. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the PLAP reporter system for detecting enhancer/promoter activities driving deep tissue expression and its combination with the CoMBI method as a powerful approach for 3D digital imaging analysis of specific tissue/organ structures in Xenopus embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyo Sakagami
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Igawa
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kaori Saikawa
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sakaguchi
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nusrat Hossain
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Chiho Kato
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kinemori
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Akane Kawaguchi
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuki Tajika
- Department of Radiological Technology, Gunma Prefectural College of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Sugimoto T, Kanayama C, Hiyoshi M, Kosumi D, Takamune K. Distribution of XTdrd6/Xtr protein during oogenesis and early development in Xenopus laevis: Zygotic translation begins only in germ cells that have entered the genital ridge. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:66-74. [PMID: 37945353 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12899] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified Xenopus tudor domain containing 6/Xenopus tudor repeat (Xtdrd6/Xtr), which was exclusively expressed in the germ cells of adult Xenopus laevis. Western blot analysis showed that the XTdrd6/Xtr protein was translated in St. I/II oocytes and persisted as a maternal factor until the tailbud stage. XTdrd6/Xtr has been reported to be essential for the translation of maternal mRNA involved in oocyte meiosis. In the present study, we examined the distribution of the XTdrd6/Xtr protein during oogenesis and early development, to predict the time point of its action during development. First, we showed that XTdrd6/Xtr is localized to germinal granules in the germplasm by electron microscopy. XTdrd6/Xtr was found to be localized to the origin of the germplasm, the mitochondrial cloud of St. I oocytes, during oogenesis. Notably, XTdrd6/Xtr was also found to be localized around the nuclear membrane of St. I oocytes. This suggests that XTdrd6/Xtr may immediately interact with some mRNAs that emerge from the nucleus and translocate to the mitochondrial cloud. XTdrd6/Xtr was also detected in primordial germ cells and germ cells throughout development. Using transgenic Xenopus expressing XTdrd6/Xtr with a C-terminal FLAG tag produced by homology-directed repair, we found that the zygotic translation of the XTdrd6/Xtr protein began at St. 47/48. As germ cells are surrounded by gonadal somatic cells and are considered to enter a new differentiation stage at this phase, the newly synthesized XTdrd6/Xtr protein may regulate the translation of mRNAs involved in the new steps of germ cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuharu Sugimoto
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chihiro Kanayama
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masateru Hiyoshi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kosumi
- Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Takamune
- Division of Natural Science, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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3
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Shibata Y, Okumura A, Mochii M, Suzuki KIT. Protocols for transgenesis at a safe harbor site in the Xenopus laevis genome using CRISPR-Cas9. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102382. [PMID: 37389994 PMCID: PMC10511863 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102382] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have established a new transgenesis protocol based on CRISPR-Cas9, "New and Easy XenopusTransgenesis (NEXTrans)," and identified a novel safe harbor site in African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis. We describe steps in detail for the construction of NEXTrans plasmid and guide RNA, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated NEXTrans plasmid integration into the locus, and its validation by genomic PCR. This improved strategy allows us to simply generate transgenic animals that stably express the transgene. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Shibata et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shibata
- Emerging Model Organisms Facility, Trans-scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Akinori Okumura
- Emerging Model Organisms Facility, Trans-scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Makoto Mochii
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan.
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Emerging Model Organisms Facility, Trans-scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan.
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4
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Ishii R, Yoshida M, Suzuki N, Ogino H, Suzuki M. X-ray micro-computed tomography of Xenopus tadpole reveals changes in brain ventricular morphology during telencephalon regeneration. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:300-310. [PMID: 37477433 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12881] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus tadpoles serve as an exceptional model organism for studying post-embryonic development in vertebrates. During post-embryonic development, large-scale changes in tissue morphology, including organ regeneration and metamorphosis, occur at the organ level. However, understanding these processes in a three-dimensional manner remains challenging. In this study, the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) for the three-dimensional observation of the soft tissues of Xenopus tadpoles was explored. The findings revealed that major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, could be visualized with high contrast by phosphotungstic acid staining following fixation with Bouin's solution. Then, the changes in brain shape during telencephalon regeneration were analyzed as the first example of utilizing microCT to study organ regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, and it was found that the size of the amputated telencephalon recovered to >80% of its original length within approximately 1 week. It was also observed that the ventricles tended to shrink after amputation and maintained this state for at least 3 days. This shrinkage was transient, as the ventricles expanded to exceed their original size within the following week. Temporary shrinkage and expansion of the ventricles, which were also observed in transgenic or fluorescent dye-injected tadpoles with telencephalon amputation, may be significant in tissue homeostasis in response to massive brain injury and subsequent repair and regeneration. This established method will improve experimental analyses in developmental biology and medical science using Xenopus tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riona Ishii
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mana Yoshida
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Nakayama T, Gray J, Grainger RM. Production of Transgenic F 0 Animals and Permanent Lines by Sperm Nuclear Transplantation in Xenopus tropicalis. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023; 2023:pdb.prot107003. [PMID: 36283835 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot107003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Early efforts in the 1980s showed that DNA microinjected into Xenopus embryos could be integrated into the genome and transmitted through the germline at low efficiency. Subsequent studies revealed that transgenic lines, typically with multiple-copy inserts (e.g., to develop bright fluorescent protein-reporter lines), could be created via sperm nuclear injection protocols such as the one entitled restriction enzyme-mediated insertion, or REMI. Here we describe a refined sperm nuclear injection procedure, with a number of alterations, including elimination of a potential DNA-damaging restriction enzyme treatment, aimed at making F0 transgenic animals and transgenic lines in Xenopus tropicalis This protocol also uses an oocyte extract rather than the egg extract used in older protocols. These changes simplify and improve the efficiency of the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Nakayama
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - Jessica Gray
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - Robert M Grainger
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
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6
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Guille M, Grainger R. Genetics and Gene Editing Methods in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023; 2023:pdb.top107045. [PMID: 36283837 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of biological systems has for many years been heavily influenced by experimental approaches that exploit genetic methods. These include gain-of-function experiments that overexpress transgenes or ectopically express injected RNA and loss-of-function experiments that knock out genes or knock down RNAs. Here, we review how these methods have been applied in Xenopus frogs and introduce a variety of protocols for genetic manipulation of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Grainger
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA
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7
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Jeong Y, Davis CHO, Muscarella AM, Deshpande V, Kim KY, Ellisman MH, Marsh-Armstrong N. Glaucoma-associated Optineurin mutations increase transmitophagy in a vertebrate optic nerve. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.26.542507. [PMID: 37398269 PMCID: PMC10312487 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously described a process referred to as transmitophagy where mitochondria shed by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons are transferred to and degraded by surrounding astrocytes in the optic nerve head of mice. Since the mitophagy receptor Optineurin (OPTN) is one of few large-effect glaucoma genes and axonal damage occurs at the optic nerve head in glaucoma, here we explored whether OPTN mutations perturb transmitophagy. Live-imaging of Xenopus laevis optic nerves revealed that diverse human mutant but not wildtype OPTN increase stationary mitochondria and mitophagy machinery and their colocalization within, and in the case of the glaucoma-associated OPTN mutations also outside of, RGC axons. These extra-axonal mitochondria are degraded by astrocytes. Our studies support the view that in RGC axons under baseline conditions there are low levels of mitophagy, but that glaucoma-associated perturbations in OPTN result in increased axonal mitophagy involving the shedding and astrocytic degradation of the mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaeram Jeong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | | | - Aaron M. Muscarella
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Viraj Deshpande
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Keun-Young Kim
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mark H. Ellisman
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Lead contact
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8
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Tada R, Higashidate T, Amano T, Ishikawa S, Yokoyama C, Kobari S, Nara S, Ishida K, Kawaguchi A, Ochi H, Ogino H, Yakushiji-Kaminatsui N, Sakamoto J, Kamei Y, Tamura K, Yokoyama H. The shh limb enhancer is activated in patterned limb regeneration but not in hypomorphic limb regeneration in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2023:S0012-1606(23)00093-3. [PMID: 37247832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.05.009] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus young tadpoles regenerate a limb with the anteroposterior (AP) pattern, but metamorphosed froglets regenerate a hypomorphic limb after amputation. The key gene for AP patterning, shh, is expressed in a regenerating limb of the tadpole but not in that of the froglet. Genomic DNA in the shh limb-specific enhancer, MFCS1 (ZRS), is hypermethylated in froglets but hypomethylated in tadpoles: shh expression may be controlled by epigenetic regulation of MFCS1. Is MFCS1 specifically activated for regenerating the AP-patterned limb? We generated transgenic Xenopus laevis lines that visualize the MFCS1 enhancer activity with a GFP reporter. The transgenic tadpoles showed GFP expression in hoxd13-and shh-expressing domains of developing and regenerating limbs, whereas the froglets showed no GFP expression in the regenerating limbs despite having hoxd13 expression. Genome sequence analysis and co-transfection assays using cultured cells revealed that Hoxd13 can activate Xenopus MFCS1. These results suggest that MFCS1 activation correlates with regeneration of AP-patterned limbs and that re-activation of epigenetically inactivated MFCS1 would be crucial to confer the ability to non-regenerative animals for regenerating a properly patterned limb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reimi Tada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Takuya Higashidate
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aramaki-Aza-Aoba 6-3, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takanori Amano
- Next Generation Human Disease Model Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Shoma Ishikawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Chifuyu Yokoyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Suzu Kobari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Saki Nara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Koshiro Ishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Akane Kawaguchi
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center / Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Nayuta Yakushiji-Kaminatsui
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Joe Sakamoto
- Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic, Biology, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan; Biophotonics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Higashiyama Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kamei
- Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic, Biology, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan; Department of Basic Biology in the School of Life Science of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan
| | - Koji Tamura
- Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aramaki-Aza-Aoba 6-3, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yokoyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan.
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9
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Tanizaki Y, Bao L, Shi YB. Steroid-receptor coactivator complexes in thyroid hormone-regulation of Xenopus metamorphosis. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:483-502. [PMID: 37717995 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Anuran metamorphosis is perhaps the most drastic developmental change regulated by thyroid hormone (T3) in vertebrate. It mimics the postembryonic development in mammals when many organs/tissues mature into adult forms and plasma T3 level peaks. T3 functions by regulating target gene transcription through T3 receptors (TRs), which can recruit corepressor or coactivator complexes to target genes in the absence or presence of T3, respectively. By using molecular and genetic approaches, we and others have investigated the role of corepressor or coactivator complexes in TR function during the development of two highly related anuran species, the pseudo-tetraploid Xenopus laevis and diploid Xenopus tropicalis. Here we will review some of these studies that demonstrate a critical role of coactivator complexes, particularly those containing steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) 3, in regulating metamorphic rate and ensuring the completion of metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Tanizaki
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lingyu Bao
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yun-Bo Shi
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.
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10
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Xenopus Transgenesis Using the pGateway System. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2633:97-109. [PMID: 36853460 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3004-4_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic approaches using I-SceI are powerful genome modification methods for creating heritable modifications in eukaryotic genomes. Such modifications are ideal for studying putative promoters and their temporal and spatial expression patterns in real time, in vivo. Central to this process is the initial engineering of a plasmid construct containing multiple DNA modules in a specific order prior to the integration into the target genome. One popular way of doing this is based upon the pGateway system, the modular form of which described in this chapter is known as pTransgenesis. We will initially describe the protocol of obtaining the plasmid construct containing the required sequence modules, and then the process of integrating the construct into the genome of a Xenopus embryo via co-injection with I-SceI and subsequent screening for transgenics.
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11
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Tamaki T, Yoshida T, Shibata E, Nishihara H, Ochi H, Kawakami A. Splashed E-box and AP-1 motifs cooperatively drive regeneration response and shape regeneration abilities. Biol Open 2023; 12:286596. [PMID: 36636913 PMCID: PMC9922731 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Injury triggers a genetic program that induces gene expression for regeneration. Recent studies have identified regeneration-response enhancers (RREs); however, it remains unclear whether a common mechanism operates in these RREs. We identified three RREs from the zebrafish fn1b promoter by searching for conserved sequences within the surrounding genomic regions of regeneration-induced genes and performed a transgenic assay for regeneration response. Two regions contained in the transposons displayed RRE activity when combined with the -0.7 kb fn1b promoter. Another non-transposon element functioned as a stand-alone enhancer in combination with a minimum promoter. By searching for transcription factor-binding motifs and validation by transgenic assays, we revealed that the cooperation of E-box and activator protein 1 motifs is necessary and sufficient for regenerative response. Such RREs respond to variety of tissue injuries, including those in the zebrafish heart and Xenopus limb buds. Our findings suggest that the fidelity of regeneration response is ensured by the two signals evoked by tissue injuries. It is speculated that a large pool of potential enhancers in the genome has helped shape the regenerative capacities during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruhisa Tamaki
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takafumi Yoshida
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Eri Shibata
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Hidenori Nishihara
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata Pref. 990-9585, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawakami
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan,Author for correspondence ()
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Durant-Vesga J, Suzuki N, Ochi H, Le Bouffant R, Eschstruth A, Ogino H, Umbhauer M, Riou JF. Retinoic acid control of pax8 during renal specification of Xenopus pronephros involves hox and meis3. Dev Biol 2023; 493:17-28. [PMID: 36279927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.10.009] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Development of the Xenopus pronephros relies on renal precursors grouped at neurula stage into a specific region of dorso-lateral mesoderm called the kidney field. Formation of the kidney field at early neurula stage is dependent on retinoic (RA) signaling acting upstream of renal master transcriptional regulators such as pax8 or lhx1. Although lhx1 might be a direct target of RA-mediated transcriptional activation in the kidney field, how RA controls the emergence of the kidney field remains poorly understood. In order to better understand RA control of renal specification of the kidney field, we have performed a transcriptomic profiling of genes affected by RA disruption in lateral mesoderm explants isolated prior to the emergence of the kidney field and cultured at different time points until early neurula stage. Besides genes directly involved in pronephric development (pax8, lhx1, osr2, mecom), hox (hoxa1, a3, b3, b4, c5 and d1) and the hox co-factor meis3 appear as a prominent group of genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) downstream of RA. Supporting the idea of a role of meis3 in the kidney field, we have observed that meis3 depletion results in a severe inhibition of pax8 expression in the kidney field. Meis3 depletion only marginally affects expression of lhx1 and aldh1a2 suggesting that meis3 principally acts upstream of pax8. Further arguing for a role of meis3 and hox in the control of pax8, expression of a combination of meis3, hoxb4 and pbx1 in animal caps induces pax8 expression, but not that of lhx1. The same combination of TFs is also able to transactivate a previously identified pax8 enhancer, Pax8-CNS1. Mutagenesis of potential PBX-Hox binding motifs present in Pax8-CNS1 further allows to identify two of them that are necessary for transactivation. Finally, we have tested deletions of regulatory sequences in reporter assays with a previously characterized transgene encompassing 36.5 kb of the X. tropicalis pax8 gene that allows expression of a truncated pax8-GFP fusion protein recapitulating endogenous pax8 expression. This transgene includes three conserved pax8 enhancers, Pax8-CNS1, Pax8-CNS2 and Pax8-CNS3. Deletion of Pax8-CNS1 alone does not affect reporter expression, but deletion of a 3.5 kb region encompassing Pax8-CNS1 and Pax8-CNS2 results in a severe inhibition of reporter expression both in the otic placode and kidney field domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Durant-Vesga
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, Laboratoire de Biologie Du Développement, UMR7622, 9, Quai Saint-Bernard, 75252, Paris, Cedex05, France
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan; Amphibian Research Center / Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Ronan Le Bouffant
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, Laboratoire de Biologie Du Développement, UMR7622, 9, Quai Saint-Bernard, 75252, Paris, Cedex05, France
| | - Alexis Eschstruth
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, Laboratoire de Biologie Du Développement, UMR7622, 9, Quai Saint-Bernard, 75252, Paris, Cedex05, France
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center / Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Muriel Umbhauer
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, Laboratoire de Biologie Du Développement, UMR7622, 9, Quai Saint-Bernard, 75252, Paris, Cedex05, France
| | - Jean-François Riou
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, IBPS, Laboratoire de Biologie Du Développement, UMR7622, 9, Quai Saint-Bernard, 75252, Paris, Cedex05, France.
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13
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Whitworth GB, Watson FL. Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) and Bioinformatic RNA-Seq Analysis in Post-metamorphic Xenopus laevis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2636:279-310. [PMID: 36881307 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3012-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent technical advances provide the ability to isolate and purify mRNAs from genetically distinct cell types so as to provide a broader view of gene expression as they relate to gene networks. These tools allow the genome of organisms undergoing different developmental or diseased states and environmental or behavioral conditions to be compared. Translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP), a method using transgenic animals expressing a ribosomal affinity tag (ribotag) that targets ribosome-bound mRNAs, allows for the rapid isolation of genetically distinct populations of cells. In this chapter, we provide stepwise methods for carrying out an updated protocol for using the TRAP method in the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. A discussion of the experimental design and necessary controls and their rationale, along with a description of the bioinformatic steps involved in analyzing the Xenopus laevis translatome using TRAP and RNA-Seq, is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg B Whitworth
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, USA
| | - Fiona L Watson
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, USA.
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14
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Fatira E, Havelka M, Saito T, Landeira J, Rodina M, Gela D, Pšenička M. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in sturgeon species: A promising reproductive technology of selected genitors. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1054345. [PMID: 36619956 PMCID: PMC9816131 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1054345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sturgeons are the most endangered species group and their wild populations continue to decrease. In this study, we apply intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), an assisted reproductive technology, for the first time in endangered and critically endangered sturgeons. Using various egg-sperm species combinations we performed different ICSI experiments with immobilized pre- or non-activated spermatozoa, single or many, fresh or cryopreserved. Then we evaluated the fertilization success as well as the paternity of the resultant embryos and larvae. Surprisingly, all experimental groups exhibited embryonic development. Normal-shaped feeding larvae produced in all egg-sperm species-combination groups after ICSI using single fresh-stripped non-activated spermatozoa, in one group after ICSI using single fresh-stripped pre-activated spermatozoa, and in one group after ICSI using multiple fresh-stripped spermatozoa. ICSI with single cryopreserved non-activated spermatozoa produced neurula stage embryos. Molecular analysis showed genome integration of both egg- and sperm-donor species in most of the ICSI transplants. Overall, ICSI technology could be used as an assisted reproduction technique for producing sturgeons to rescue valuable paternal genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Effrosyni Fatira
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia,Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain,*Correspondence: Effrosyni Fatira ✉
| | - Miloš Havelka
- Nishiura Station, South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Taiju Saito
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia,Nishiura Station, South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - José Landeira
- Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Marek Rodina
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - David Gela
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Martin Pšenička
- Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia
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15
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Fujimori C, Umatani C, Chimura M, Ijiri S, Bando H, Hyodo S, Kanda S. In vitro and in vivo gene transfer in the cloudy catshark Scyliorhinus torazame. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:558-565. [PMID: 36376176 PMCID: PMC10099843 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12824] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cartilaginous fishes have various unique physiological features such as a cartilaginous skeleton and a urea-based osmoregulation strategy for adaptation to their marine environment. Also, because they are a sister group of bony vertebrates, understanding their unique features is important from an evolutionary perspective. However, genetic engineering based on gene functions as well as cellular behavior has not been effectively utilized in cartilaginous fishes. This is partly because their reproductive strategy involves internal fertilization, which results in difficulty in microinjection into fertilized eggs at the early developmental stage. Here, to identify efficient gene transfer methods in cartilaginous fishes, we examined the effects of various methods both in vitro and in vivo using the cloudy catshark, a candidate model cartilaginous fish species. In all methods, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was used to evaluate exogenous gene transfer. First, we examined gene transfer into primary cultured cells from cloudy catshark embryos by lipofection, polyethylenimine (PEI) transfection, adenovirus infection, baculovirus infection, and electroporation. Among the methods tested, lipofection, electroporation, and baculovirus infection enabled the successful transfer of exogenous genes into primary cultured cells. We then attempted in vivo transfection into cloudy catshark embryos by electroporation and baculovirus infection. Although baculovirus-injected groups did not show GFP fluorescence, electroporation successfully introduced GFP into muscle cells. Furthermore, we succeeded in GFP transfer into adult tissues by electroporation. The in vitro and in vivo gene transfer methods that worked in this study may open ways for genetic manipulation including knockout experiments and cellular lineage analysis in cartilaginous fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chika Fujimori
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chie Umatani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misaki Chimura
- Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shigeho Ijiri
- Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hisanori Bando
- Division of Applied Bioscience, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinji Kanda
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
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16
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Hnf1b renal expression directed by a distal enhancer responsive to Pax8. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19921. [PMID: 36402859 PMCID: PMC9675860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21171-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Xenopus provides a simple and efficient model system to study nephrogenesis and explore the mechanisms causing renal developmental defects in human. Hnf1b (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox b), a gene whose mutations are the most commonly identified genetic cause of developmental kidney disease, is required for the acquisition of a proximo-intermediate nephron segment in Xenopus as well as in mouse. Genetic networks involved in Hnf1b expression during kidney development remain poorly understood. We decided to explore the transcriptional regulation of Hnf1b in the developing Xenopus pronephros and mammalian renal cells. Using phylogenetic footprinting, we identified an evolutionary conserved sequence (CNS1) located several kilobases (kb) upstream the Hnf1b transcription start and harboring epigenomic marks characteristics of a distal enhancer in embryonic and adult renal cells in mammals. By means of functional expression assays in Xenopus and mammalian renal cell lines we showed that CNS1 displays enhancer activity in renal tissue. Using CRISPR/cas9 editing in Xenopus tropicalis, we demonstrated the in vivo functional relevance of CNS1 in driving hnf1b expression in the pronephros. We further showed the importance of Pax8-CNS1 interaction for CNS1 enhancer activity allowing us to conclude that Hnf1b is a direct target of Pax8. Our work identified for the first time a Hnf1b renal specific enhancer and may open important perspectives into the diagnosis for congenital kidney anomalies in human, as well as modeling HNF1B-related diseases.
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17
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Yamada‐Kondo S, Ogawa A, Fukunaga M, Izutsu Y, Kato T, Maéno M. A
myeloperoxidase
enhancer drives myeloid cell‐specific labeling in a transgenic frog line. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:362-367. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Yamada‐Kondo
- Faculty of Science Niigata University 8050 Ikarashi‐2, Nishi‐ku, Niigata Japan
| | - Ayame Ogawa
- Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
| | - Miku Fukunaga
- Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
| | - Yumi Izutsu
- Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University 8050 Ikarashi‐2, Nishi‐ku, Niigata Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
- Department of Biology School of Education, Waseda University, Center for Advanced Biomedical Science TWIns building, 2–2 Wakamatsu‐cho, Shinjuku‐ku, Tokyo Japan
| | - Mitsugu Maéno
- Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University 8050 Ikarashi‐2, Nishi‐ku, Niigata Japan
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18
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Adrenergic receptor signaling induced by Klf15, a regulator of regeneration enhancer, promotes kidney reconstruction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204338119. [PMID: 35939709 PMCID: PMC9388080 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204338119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent discovery of tissue regeneration enhancers in highly regenerative animals, upstream and downstream genetic programs connected by these enhancers still remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis of enhancers and associated genes in regenerating nephric tubules of Xenopus laevis. Putative enhancers were identified using assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses. Their target genes were predicted based on their proximity to enhancers on genomic DNA and consistency of their transcriptome profiles to ATAC-seq/ChIP-seq profiles of the enhancers. Motif enrichment analysis identified the central role of Krüppel-like factors (Klf) in the enhancer. Klf15, a member of the Klf family, directly binds enhancers and stimulates expression of regenerative genes, including adrenoreceptor alpha 1A (adra1a), whereas inhibition of Klf15 activity results in failure of nephric tubule regeneration. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of Adra1a-signaling suppresses nephric tubule regeneration, while its activation promotes nephric tubule regeneration and restores organ size. These results indicate that Klf15-dependent adrenergic receptor signaling through regeneration enhancers plays a central role in the genetic network for kidney regeneration.
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19
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Shibata Y, Suzuki M, Hirose N, Takayama A, Sanbo C, Inoue T, Umesono Y, Agata K, Ueno N, Suzuki KIT, Mochii M. CRISPR/Cas9-based simple transgenesis in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2022; 489:76-83. [PMID: 35690103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic techniques have greatly increased our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of target genes through live reporter imaging, as well as the spatiotemporal function of a gene using loss- and gain-of-function constructs. In Xenopus species, two well-established transgenic methods, restriction enzyme-mediated integration and I-SceI meganuclease-mediated transgenesis, have been used to generate transgenic animals. However, donor plasmids are randomly integrated into the Xenopus genome in both methods. Here, we established a new and simple targeted transgenesis technique based on CRISPR/Cas9 in Xenopus laevis. In this method, Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) targeting a putative harbor site (the transforming growth factor beta receptor 2-like (tgfbr2l) locus) and a preset donor plasmid DNA were co-injected into the one-cell stage embryos of X. laevis. Approximately 10% of faithful reporter expression was detected in F0 crispants in a promoter/enhancer-specific manner. Importantly, efficient germline transmission and stable transgene expression were observed in the F1 offspring. The simplicity of this method only required preparation of a donor vector containing the tgfbr2l genome fragment and Cas9 RNP targeting this site, which are common experimental procedures used in Xenopus laboratories. Our improved technique allows the simple generation of transgenic X. laevis, so is expected to become a powerful tool for reporter assay and gene function analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shibata
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Miyuki Suzuki
- Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nao Hirose
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ayuko Takayama
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chiaki Sanbo
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Division of Adaptation Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Umesono
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Laboratory of Regeneration Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoto Ueno
- Division of Morphogenesis, Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Makoto Mochii
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan.
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20
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Lin TY, Taniguchi-Sugiura Y, Murawala P, Hermann S, Tanaka EM. Inducible and tissue-specific cell labeling in Cre-ER T2 transgenic Xenopus lines. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:243-253. [PMID: 35581155 PMCID: PMC9328194 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Investigating cell lineage requires genetic tools that label cells in a temporal and tissue‐specific manner. The bacteriophage‐derived Cre‐ERT2/loxP system has been developed as a genetic tool for lineage tracing in many organisms. We recently reported a stable transgenic Xenopus line with a Cre‐ERT2/loxP system driven by the mouse Prrx1 (mPrrx1) enhancer to trace limb fibroblasts during the regeneration process (Prrx1:CreER line). Here we describe the detailed technological development and characterization of such line. Transgenic lines carrying a CAG promoter‐driven Cre‐ERT2/loxP system showed conditional labeling of muscle, epidermal, and interstitial cells in both the tadpole tail and the froglet leg upon 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) treatment. We further improved the labeling efficiency in the Prrx1:CreER lines from 12.0% to 32.9% using the optimized 4OHT treatment regime. Careful histological examination showed that Prrx1:CreER lines also sparsely labeled cells in the brain, spinal cord, head dermis, and fibroblasts in the tail. This work provides the first demonstration of conditional, tissue‐specific cell labeling with the Cre‐ERT2/loxP system in stable transgenic Xenopus lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzi-Yang Lin
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuka Taniguchi-Sugiura
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Prayag Murawala
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.,Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sarah Hermann
- DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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21
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Hongo I, Okamoto H. FGF/MAPK/Ets signaling in Xenopus ectoderm contributes to neural induction and patterning in an autonomous and paracrine manner, respectively. Cells Dev 2022; 170:203769. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2022.203769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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22
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Tilley L, Papadopoulos SC, Pende M, Fei JF, Murawala P. The use of transgenics in the laboratory axolotl. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:942-956. [PMID: 33949035 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to generate transgenic animals sparked a wave of research committed to implementing such technology in a wide variety of model organisms. Building a solid base of ubiquitous and tissue-specific reporter lines has set the stage for later interrogations of individual cells or genetic elements. Compared to other widely used model organisms such as mice, zebrafish and fruit flies, there are only a few transgenic lines available in the laboratory axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), although their number is steadily expanding. In this review, we discuss a brief history of the transgenic methodologies in axolotl and their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we discuss available transgenic lines and insights we have been able to glean from them. Finally, we list challenges when developing transgenic axolotl, and where further work is needed in order to improve their standing as both a developmental and regenerative model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tilley
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA
| | - Sofia-Christina Papadopoulos
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA.,Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marko Pende
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA
| | - Ji-Feng Fei
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Prayag Murawala
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA.,Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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23
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Fibroblast dedifferentiation as a determinant of successful regeneration. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1541-1551.e6. [PMID: 34004152 PMCID: PMC8140481 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Limb regeneration, while observed lifelong in salamanders, is restricted in post-metamorphic Xenopus laevis frogs. Whether this loss is due to systemic factors or an intrinsic incapability of cells to form competent stem cells has been unclear. Here, we use genetic fate mapping to establish that connective tissue (CT) cells form the post-metamorphic frog blastema, as in the case of axolotls. Using heterochronic transplantation into the limb bud and single-cell transcriptomic profiling, we show that axolotl CT cells dedifferentiate and integrate to form lineages, including cartilage. In contrast, frog blastema CT cells do not fully re-express the limb bud progenitor program, even when transplanted into the limb bud. Correspondingly, transplanted cells contribute to extraskeletal CT, but not to the developing cartilage. Furthermore, using single-cell RNA-seq analysis we find that embryonic and adult frog cartilage differentiation programs are molecularly distinct. This work defines intrinsic restrictions in CT dedifferentiation as a limitation in adult regeneration. Fibroblast-derived Prrx1+ cells are the main constituent of a frog limb blastema Frog fibroblasts only undergo partial dedifferentiation due to intrinsic limitations Adult chondrogenesis is distinct from the embryonic program
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24
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Shi YB, Shibata Y, Tanizaki Y, Fu L. The development of adult intestinal stem cells: Insights from studies on thyroid hormone-dependent anuran metamorphosis. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 116:269-293. [PMID: 33752821 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrates organ development often takes place in two phases: initial formation and subsequent maturation into the adult form. This is exemplified by the intestine. In mouse, the intestine at birth has villus, where most differentiated epithelial cells are located, but lacks any crypts, where adult intestinal stem cells reside. The crypt is formed during the first 3 weeks after birth when plasma thyroid hormone (T3) levels are high. Similarly, in anurans, the intestine undergoes drastic remodeling into the adult form during metamorphosis in a process completely dependent on T3. Studies on Xenopus metamorphosis have revealed important clues on the formation of the adult intestine during metamorphosis. Here we will review our current understanding on how T3 induces the degeneration of larval epithelium and de novo formation of adult intestinal stem cells. We will also discuss the mechanistic conservations in intestinal development between anurans and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Bo Shi
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Yuki Shibata
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yuta Tanizaki
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Liezhen Fu
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
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25
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Umair Z, Kumar S, Rafiq K, Kumar V, Reman ZU, Lee SH, Kim S, Lee JY, Lee U, Kim J. Dusp1 modulates activin/smad2 mediated germ layer specification via FGF signal inhibition in Xenopus embryos. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2020; 24:359-370. [PMID: 33456720 PMCID: PMC7782979 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2020.1847732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF-β) superfamily, induces mesoderm, endoderm and neuro-ectoderm formation in Xenopus embryos. Despite several previous studies, the complicated gene regulatory network and genes involved in this induction await more elaboration. We identified expression of various fibroblast growth factor (FGF) genes in activin/smad2 treated animal cap explants (AC) of Xenopus embryos. Activin/smad2 increased fgf3/8 expression, which was reduced by co-injection of dominant negative activin receptor (DNAR) and dominant negative Fgf receptor (DNFR). Interestingly, activin/smad2 also increased expression of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (dusp1) which has been known to inhibit Fgf signaling. Dusp1 overexpression in dorsal marginal zone caused gastrulation defect and decreased Jnk/Erk phosphorylation as well as Smad1 linker region phosphorylation. Dusp1 decreased neural and organizer gene expression with increasing of endodermal and ventral gene expression in smad2 treated AC, indicating that dusp1 modulates germ layer specification. Dusp1 decreased neural gene expression in fgf8 treated AC, suggesting that Erk and/or Jnk phosphorylation may be involved in fgf8 induced neural induction. In addition, dusp1 decreased the reporter gene activities of activin response element (ARE) and increased it for bmp response element (BRE), indicating that dusp1 modulates two opposite morphogen signaling of dorsal (activin/Smad2) and ventral (bmp/Smad1) tracks, acting to fine tune the Fgf/Erk pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zobia Umair
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Khezina Rafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Zia Ur Reman
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - SungChan Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Yong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Unjoo Lee
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaebong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
Understanding how to promote organ and appendage regeneration is a key goal of regenerative medicine. The frog, Xenopus, can achieve both scar-free healing and tissue regeneration during its larval stages, although it predominantly loses these abilities during metamorphosis and adulthood. This transient regenerative capacity, alongside their close evolutionary relationship with humans, makes Xenopus an attractive model to uncover the mechanisms underlying functional regeneration. Here, we present an overview of Xenopus as a key model organism for regeneration research and highlight how studies of Xenopus have led to new insights into the mechanisms governing regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren S Phipps
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Lindsey Marshall
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Karel Dorey
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Enrique Amaya
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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27
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Cordeiro IR, Kabashima K, Ochi H, Munakata K, Nishimori C, Laslo M, Hanken J, Tanaka M. Environmental Oxygen Exposure Allows for the Evolution of Interdigital Cell Death in Limb Patterning. Dev Cell 2019; 50:155-166.e4. [PMID: 31204171 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians form fingers without webbing by differential growth between digital and interdigital regions. Amniotes, however, employ interdigital cell death (ICD), an additional mechanism that contributes to a greater variation of limb shapes. Here, we investigate the role of environmental oxygen in the evolution of ICD in tetrapods. While cell death is restricted to the limb margin in amphibians with aquatic tadpoles, Eleutherodactylus coqui, a frog with terrestrial-direct-developing eggs, has cell death in the interdigital region. Chicken requires sufficient oxygen and reactive oxygen species to induce cell death, with the oxygen tension profile itself being distinct between the limbs of chicken and Xenopus laevis frogs. Notably, increasing blood vessel density in X. laevis limbs, as well as incubating tadpoles under high oxygen levels, induces ICD. We propose that the oxygen available to terrestrial eggs was an ecological feature crucial for the evolution of ICD, made possible by conserved autopod-patterning mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Rosenburg Cordeiro
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-17, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kaori Kabashima
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-17, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
| | - Keijiro Munakata
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-17, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Chika Nishimori
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-17, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Mara Laslo
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - James Hanken
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mikiko Tanaka
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, B-17, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
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28
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Horb M, Wlizla M, Abu-Daya A, McNamara S, Gajdasik D, Igawa T, Suzuki A, Ogino H, Noble A, Robert J, James-Zorn C, Guille M. Xenopus Resources: Transgenic, Inbred and Mutant Animals, Training Opportunities, and Web-Based Support. Front Physiol 2019; 10:387. [PMID: 31073289 PMCID: PMC6497014 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Two species of the clawed frog family, Xenopus laevis and X. tropicalis, are widely used as tools to investigate both normal and disease-state biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and developmental biology. To support both frog specialist and non-specialist scientists needing access to these models for their research, a number of centralized resources exist around the world. These include centers that hold live and frozen stocks of transgenic, inbred and mutant animals and centers that hold molecular resources. This infrastructure is supported by a model organism database. Here, we describe much of this infrastructure and encourage the community to make the best use of it and to guide the resource centers in developing new lines and libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Horb
- National Xenopus Resource, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Marcin Wlizla
- National Xenopus Resource, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Anita Abu-Daya
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Sean McNamara
- National Xenopus Resource, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Dominika Gajdasik
- School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Takeshi Igawa
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Anna Noble
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jacques Robert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Christina James-Zorn
- Xenbase, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
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29
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Wen RH, Stanar P, Tam B, Moritz OL. Autophagy in Xenopus laevis rod photoreceptors is independently regulated by phototransduction and misfolded RHO P23H. Autophagy 2019; 15:1970-1989. [PMID: 30975014 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2019.1596487] [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: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported autophagic structures in rod photoreceptors expressing a misfolding RHO (rhodopsin) mutant (RHOP23H), suggesting that autophagy may play a role in degrading the mutant RHO and/or be involved in photoreceptor cell death. To further examine autophagy in normal and diseased rods, we generated transgenic Xenopus laevis tadpoles expressing the dually fluorescent autophagy marker mRFP-eGFP-LC3 in rods, which changes from green to yellow and finally red as autophagic structures develop and mature. Using transgenic lines with constitutive and inducible expression, we determined the time-course of autophagy in rod photoreceptors: autophagosomes last for 6 to 8 hours before fusing with lysosomes, and acidified autolysosomes last for about 28 hours before being degraded. Autophagy was diurnally regulated in normal rods, with more autophagic structures generated during periods of light, and this regulation was non-circadian. We also found that more autophagosomes were produced in rods expressing the misfolding RHOP23H mutant. The RHO chromophore absorbs photons to initiate phototransduction, and is consumed in this process; it also promotes RHO folding. To determine whether increased autophagy in light-exposed normal rods is caused by increased RHO misfolding or phototransduction, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the RPE65 and GNAT1 genes, which are essential for chromophore biosynthesis and phototransduction respectively. Both knockouts suppressed light-induced autophagy, indicating that although light and misfolded rhodopsin can both induce autophagy in rods, light-induced autophagy is not due to misfolding of RHO, but rather due to phototransduction. Abbreviations: CYCS: cytochrome c; bRHOP23H: bovine RHOP23H; Cas9: CRISPR associated protein 9; dpf: days post-fertilization; eGFP: enhanced green fluorescent protein; GNAT1: guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(t) subunit alpha-1 aka rod alpha-transducin; HSPA1A/hsp70: heat shock protein of 70 kilodaltons; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3; mRFP: monomeric red fluorescent protein; RHO: rhodopsin; RP: retinitis pigmentosa; RPE65: retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein: sfGFP: superfolding GFP; sgRNA: single guide RNA; WGA: wheat germ agglutinin; RHOp: the Xenopus laevis RHO.2.L promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runxia H Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Paloma Stanar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Beatrice Tam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Orson L Moritz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
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30
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Eroshkin FM, Kremnev SV, Ermakova GV, Zaraisky AG. Development of Methods and Techniques to Visualize Mechanical Tension in Embryos Using Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Mechanosensors. Russ J Dev Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360418060024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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31
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Suzuki N, Hirano K, Ogino H, Ochi H. Arid3a regulates nephric tubule regeneration via evolutionarily conserved regeneration signal-response enhancers. eLife 2019; 8:43186. [PMID: 30616715 PMCID: PMC6324879 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43186] [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: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians and fish have the ability to regenerate numerous tissues, whereas mammals have a limited regenerative capacity. Despite numerous developmental genes becoming reactivated during regeneration, an extensive analysis is yet to be performed on whether highly regenerative animals utilize unique cis-regulatory elements for the reactivation of genes during regeneration and how such cis-regulatory elements become activated. Here, we screened regeneration signal-response enhancers at the lhx1 locus using Xenopus and found that the noncoding elements conserved from fish to human function as enhancers in the regenerating nephric tubules. A DNA-binding motif of Arid3a, a component of H3K9me3 demethylases, was commonly found in RSREs. Arid3a binds to RSREs and reduces the H3K9me3 levels. It promotes cell cycle progression and causes the outgrowth of nephric tubules, whereas the conditional knockdown of arid3a using photo-morpholino inhibits regeneration. These results suggest that Arid3a contributes to the regeneration of nephric tubules by decreasing H3K9me3 on RSREs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanoka Suzuki
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Yamagata University, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Kodai Hirano
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Yamagata University, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-hiroshima, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Yamagata University, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
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32
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Mokalled MH, Poss KD. A Regeneration Toolkit. Dev Cell 2019; 47:267-280. [PMID: 30399333 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ability of animals to replace injured body parts has been a subject of fascination for centuries. The emerging importance of regenerative medicine has reinvigorated investigations of innate tissue regeneration, and the development of powerful genetic tools has fueled discoveries into how tissue regeneration occurs. Here, we present an overview of the armamentarium employed to probe regeneration in vertebrates, highlighting areas where further methodology advancement will deepen mechanistic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayssa H Mokalled
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Kenneth D Poss
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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33
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Yasuoka Y, Taira M. Microinjection of DNA Constructs into Xenopus Embryos for Gene Misexpression and cis-Regulatory Module Analysis. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2019; 2019:pdb.prot097279. [PMID: 30131366 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot097279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introducing exogenous DNA into an embryo can promote misexpression of a gene of interest via transcription regulated by an attached enhancer-promoter. This protocol describes plasmid DNA microinjection into Xenopus embryos for misexpression of genes after zygotic gene expression begins. It also describes a method for coinjecting a reporter plasmid with mRNA or antisense morpholinos to perform luciferase reporter assays, which are useful for quantitative analysis of cis-regulatory sequences responding to endogenous or exogenous stimuli in embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuri Yasuoka
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Masanori Taira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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34
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Kirchgeorg L, Felker A, van Oostrom M, Chiavacci E, Mosimann C. Cre/lox-controlled spatiotemporal perturbation of FGF signaling in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:1146-1159. [PMID: 30194800 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatiotemporal perturbation of signaling pathways in vivo remains challenging and requires precise transgenic control of signaling effectors. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling guides multiple developmental processes, including body axis formation and cell fate patterning. In zebrafish, mutants and chemical perturbations affecting FGF signaling have uncovered key developmental processes; however, these approaches cause embryo-wide perturbations, rendering assessment of cell-autonomous vs. non-autonomous requirements for FGF signaling in individual processes difficult. RESULTS Here, we created the novel transgenic line fgfr1-dn-cargo, encoding dominant-negative Fgfr1a with fluorescent tag under combined Cre/lox and heatshock control to perturb FGF signaling spatiotemporally. Validating efficient perturbation of FGF signaling by fgfr1-dn-cargo primed with ubiquitous CreERT2, we established that primed, heatshock-induced fgfr1-dn-cargo behaves similarly to pulsed treatment with the FGFR inhibitor SU5402. Priming fgfr1-dn-cargo with CreERT2 in the lateral plate mesoderm triggered selective cardiac and pectoral fin phenotypes without drastic impact on overall embryo patterning. Harnessing lateral plate mesoderm-specific FGF inhibition, we recapitulated the cell-autonomous and temporal requirement for FGF signaling in pectoral fin outgrowth, as previously inferred from pan-embryonic FGF inhibition. CONCLUSIONS As a paradigm for rapid Cre/lox-mediated signaling perturbations, our results establish fgfr1-dn-cargo as a genetic tool to define the spatiotemporal requirements for FGF signaling in zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics 247:1146-1159, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Kirchgeorg
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Felker
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marek van Oostrom
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Chiavacci
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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35
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Jafarnejad A, Zandi M, Aminafshar M, Sanjabi MR, Emamjomeh Kashan N. Evaluating bovine sperm transfection using a high-performance polymer reagent and assessing the fertilizing capacity of transfected spermatozoa using an in vitro fertilization technique. Arch Anim Breed 2018. [DOI: 10.5194/aab-61-351-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has been considered as an innovative
device for transgenesis on a mass scale by taking advantage of live
spermatozoa to transfer exogenous DNA. However, the fertilizing ability of
transfected sperm cells and the poor reproducibility of this method are still
matters of controversy. Hence, the current study was conducted to evaluate
transfecting the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as the source of
exogenous DNA into bovine spermatozoa using a high-performance polymer
reagent as well as assessing the fertilizing capacity of transfected sperm
cells by in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the first experiment, three
different concentrations of rhodamine-labeled DNA and high-performance
polymer transfection reagent, X-tremeGENE HP, were used to transfect bovine
spermatozoa. In the second experiment, IVF and fluorescence microscopy
methods were utilized to assess the fertilizing capacity of sperm cells
carrying exogenous DNA when X-tremeGENE HP was used either alone or with
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment. Findings revealed that at 1 µL
X-tremeGENE HP and 1 µg of DNA concentration, approximately
one-third of total spermatozoa were transfected. However, following IVF and
fluorescence microscopy, no EGFP expression was detected in zygotes and
morula-stage embryos. Results of this study showed that, although X-tremeGENE
HP could transfer EGFP to bovine spermatozoa, transfected sperm cells were
unable to transfer foreign DNA to matured bovine oocytes. Under our
experimental conditions, we hypothesized that the absence of the EGFP
fluorescence signal in embryos could be due to the detrimental effects of
transfection treatments on sperm cells' fertility performance as well as
incompetency of IVF to produce transgenic embryos using transfected sperm
cells.
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36
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Zhang M, Chen Y, Xu H, Yang L, Yuan F, Li L, Xu Y, Chen Y, Zhang C, Lin G. Melanocortin Receptor 4 Signaling Regulates Vertebrate Limb Regeneration. Dev Cell 2018; 46:397-409.e5. [PMID: 30130530 PMCID: PMC6107305 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) plays a crucial role in the central control of energy homeostasis, but its role in peripheral organs has not been fully explored. We have investigated the roles of hypothalamus-mediated energy metabolism during Xenopus limb regeneration. We report that hypothalamus injury inhibits Xenopus tadpole limb regeneration. By loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies, we show that Mc4r signaling is required for limb regeneration in regeneration-competent tadpoles and stimulates limb regeneration in later-stage regeneration-defective tadpoles. It regulates limb regeneration through modulating energy homeostasis and ROS production. Even more interestingly, our results demonstrate that Mc4r signaling is regulated by innervation and α-MSH substitutes for the effect of nerves in limb regeneration. Mc4r signaling is also required for mouse digit regeneration. Thus, our findings link vertebrate limb regeneration with Mc4r-mediated energy homeostasis and provide a new avenue for understanding Mc4r signaling in the peripheral organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Youwei Chen
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Hanqian Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Li Yang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Lei Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Chao Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
| | - Gufa Lin
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Stem Cell Institute, Department of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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37
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Fainsod A, Kot-Leibovich H. Xenopus embryos to study fetal alcohol syndrome, a model for environmental teratogenesis. Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 96:77-87. [DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2017-0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate model systems are central to characterize the outcomes of ethanol exposure and the etiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), taking advantage of their genetic and morphological closeness and similarity to humans. We discuss the contribution of amphibian embryos to FASD research, focusing on Xenopus embryos. The Xenopus experimental system is characterized by external development and accessibility throughout embryogenesis, large clutch sizes, gene and protein activity manipulation, transgenesis and genome editing, convenient chemical treatment, explants and conjugates, and many other experimental approaches. Taking advantage of these methods, many insights regarding FASD have been obtained. These studies characterized the malformations induced by ethanol including quantitative analysis of craniofacial malformations, induction of fetal growth restriction, delay in gut maturation, and defects in the differentiation of the neural crest. Mechanistic, biochemical, and molecular studies in Xenopus embryos identified early gastrula as the high alcohol sensitivity window, targeting the embryonic organizer and inducing a delay in gastrulation movements. Frog embryos have also served to demonstrate the involvement of reduced retinoic acid production and an increase in reactive oxygen species in FASD. Amphibian embryos have helped pave the way for our mechanistic, molecular, and biochemical understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel–Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel–Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Hadas Kot-Leibovich
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel–Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel–Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
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Chesneau A, Bronchain O, Perron M. Conditional Chemogenetic Ablation of Photoreceptor Cells in Xenopus Retina. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1865:133-146. [PMID: 30151764 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8784-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Xenopus is an attractive model system for regeneration studies, as it exhibits an extraordinary regenerative capacity compared to mammals. It is commonly used to study body part regeneration following amputation, for instance of the limb, the tail, or the retina. Models with more subtle injuries are also needed for human degenerative disease modeling, allowing for the study of stem cell recruitment for the regeneration of a given cellular subtype. We present here a model to ablate photoreceptor cells in the Xenopus retina. This method is based on the nitroreductase/metronidazole (NTR/MTZ) system, a combination of chemical and genetic tools, allowing for the conditional ablation of targeted cells. This type of approach establishes Xenopus as a powerful model to study cellular regeneration and stem cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Chesneau
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Odile Bronchain
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Muriel Perron
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex, France.
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An Y, Kawaguchi A, Zhao C, Toyoda A, Sharifi-Zarchi A, Mousavi SA, Bagherzadeh R, Inoue T, Ogino H, Fujiyama A, Chitsaz H, Baharvand H, Agata K. Draft genome of Dugesia japonica provides insights into conserved regulatory elements of the brain restriction gene nou-darake in planarians. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2018; 4:24. [PMID: 30181897 PMCID: PMC6114478 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-018-0102-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Planarians are non-parasitic Platyhelminthes (flatworms) famous for their regeneration ability and for having a well-organized brain. Dugesia japonica is a typical planarian species that is widely distributed in the East Asia. Extensive cellular and molecular experimental methods have been developed to identify the functions of thousands of genes in this species, making this planarian a good experimental model for regeneration biology and neurobiology. However, no genome-level information is available for D. japonica, and few gene regulatory networks have been identified thus far. RESULTS To obtain whole-genome information on this species and to study its gene regulatory networks, we extracted genomic DNA from 200 planarians derived from a laboratory-bred asexual clonal strain, and sequenced 476 Gb of data by second-generation sequencing. Kmer frequency graphing and fosmid sequence analysis indicated a complex genome that would be difficult to assemble using second-generation sequencing short reads. To address this challenge, we developed a new assembly strategy and improved the de novo genome assembly, producing a 1.56 Gb genome sequence (DjGenome ver1.0, including 202,925 scaffolds and N50 length 27,741 bp) that covers 99.4% of all 19,543 genes in the assembled transcriptome, although the genome is fragmented as 80% of the genome consists of repeated sequences (genomic frequency ≥ 2). By genome comparison between two planarian genera, we identified conserved non-coding elements (CNEs), which are indicative of gene regulatory elements. Transgenic experiments using Xenopus laevis indicated that one of the CNEs in the Djndk gene may be a regulatory element, suggesting that the regulation of the ndk gene and the brain formation mechanism may be conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates. CONCLUSION This draft genome and CNE analysis will contribute to resolving gene regulatory networks in planarians. The genome database is available at: http://www.planarian.jp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang An
- Department of Biophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Present address: Immolife-biotech Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Akane Kawaguchi
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
- Present address: Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna, Austria
| | - Chen Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Present address: Immolife-biotech Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Ali Sharifi-Zarchi
- Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Computer Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmad Mousavi
- Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Reza Bagherzadeh
- Department of Biophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
- Present address: Department of Life Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Department of Biophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Present address: Department of Life Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
- Present address: Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-hiroshima, Japan
| | - Asao Fujiyama
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Hamidreza Chitsaz
- Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Department of Biophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Present address: Department of Life Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
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Sato K, Umesono Y, Mochii M. A transgenic reporter under control of an es1 promoter/enhancer marks wound epidermis and apical epithelial cap during tail regeneration in Xenopus laevis tadpole. Dev Biol 2017; 433:404-415. [PMID: 29291984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rapid wound healing and subsequent formation of the apical epithelial cap (AEC) are believed to be required for successful appendage regeneration in amphibians. Despite the significant role of AEC in limb regeneration, its role in tail regeneration and the mechanisms that regulate the wound healing and AEC formation are not well understood. We previously identified Xenopus laevis es1, which is preferentially expressed in wounded regions, including the AEC after tail regeneration. In this study we established and characterized transgenic Xenopus laevis lines harboring the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene under control of an es1 gene regulatory sequence (es1:egfp). The EGFP reporter expression was clearly seen in several regions of the embryo and then declined to an undetectable level in larvae, recapitulating the endogenous es1 expression. After amputation of the tadpole tail, EGFP expression was re-activated at the edge of the stump epidermis and then increased in the wound epidermis (WE) covering the amputation surface. As the stump started to regenerate, the EGFP expression became restricted to the most distal epidermal region, including the AEC. EGFP was preferentially expressed in the basal or deep cells but not in the superficial cells of the WE and AEC. We performed a small-scale pharmacological screening for chemicals that affected the expression of EGFP in the stump epidermis after tail amputation. The EGFP expression was attenuated by treatment with an inhibitor for ERK, TGF-β or reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. These treatments also impaired wound closure of the amputation surface, suggesting that the three signaling activities are required for es1 expression in the WE and successful wound healing after tail amputation. These findings showed that es1:egfp Xenopus laevis should be a useful tool to analyze molecular mechanisms regulating wound healing and appendage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Sato
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Koto, Kamigori, Akou, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Umesono
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Koto, Kamigori, Akou, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Makoto Mochii
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Koto, Kamigori, Akou, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan.
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Satoh A, Mitogawa K, Saito N, Suzuki M, Suzuki KIT, Ochi H, Makanae A. Reactivation of larval keratin gene (krt62.L) in blastema epithelium during Xenopus froglet limb regeneration. Dev Biol 2017; 432:265-272. [PMID: 29079423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Limb regeneration is considered a form of limb redevelopment because of the molecular and morphological similarities. Forming a regeneration blastema is, in essence, creating a developing limb bud in an adult body. This reactivation of a developmental process in a mature body is worth studying. Xenopus laevis has a biphasic life cycle that involves distinct larval and adult stages. These distinct developmental stages are useful for investigating the reactivation of developmental processes in post-metamorphic frogs (froglets). In this study, we focused on the re-expression of a larval gene (krt62.L) during Xenopus froglet limb regeneration. Recently renamed krt62.L, this gene was known as the larval keratin (xlk) gene, which is specific to larval-tadpole stages. During limb regeneration in a froglet, krt62.L was re-expressed in a basal layer of blastema epithelium, where adult-specific keratin (Krt12.6.S) expression was also observable. Nerves produce important regulatory factors for amphibian limb regeneration, and also play a role in blastema formation and maintenance. The effect of nerve function on krt62.L expression could be seen in the maintenance of krt62.L expression, but not in its induction. When an epidermis-stripped limb bud was grafted in a froglet blastema, the grafted limb bud could reach the digit-forming stage. This suggests that krt62.L-positive froglet blastema epithelium is able to support the limb development process. These findings imply that the developmental process is locally reactivated in an postmetamorphic body during limb regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Satoh
- Okayama University, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences (RCIS), 3-1-1, Tushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-6230, Japan.
| | - Kazumasa Mitogawa
- Okayama University, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences (RCIS), 3-1-1, Tushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-6230, Japan
| | - Nanami Saito
- Okayama University, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences (RCIS), 3-1-1, Tushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-6230, Japan
| | - Miyuki Suzuki
- Hiroshima University, Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, 1-3-1, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Hiroshima University, Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, 1-3-1, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Haruki Ochi
- Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Yamagata University, Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
| | - Aki Makanae
- Okayama University, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences (RCIS), 3-1-1, Tushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-6230, Japan
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Identification of novel cis-regulatory elements of Eya1 in Xenopus laevis using BAC recombineering. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15033. [PMID: 29101371 PMCID: PMC5670250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15153-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional Eya1 protein plays important roles during the development of cranial sensory organs and ganglia, kidneys, hypaxial muscles and several other organs in vertebrates. Eya1 is encoded by a complex locus with candidate cis-regulatory elements distributed over a 329 kbp wide genomic region in Xenopus. Consequently, very little is currently known about how expression of Eya1 is controlled by upstream regulators. Here we use a library of Xenopus tropicalis genomic sequences in bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) to analyze the genomic region surrounding the Eya1 locus for enhancer activity. We used BAC recombineering to first create GFP reporter constructs, which were analysed for enhancer activity by injection into Xenopus laevis embryos. We then used a second round of BAC recombineering to create deletion constructs of these BAC reporters to localize enhancer activity more precisely. This double recombineering approach allowed us to probe a large genomic region for enhancer activity without assumptions on sequence conservation. Using this approach we were able to identify two novel cis-regulatory regions, which direct Eya1 expression to the somites, pharyngeal pouches, the preplacodal ectoderm (the common precursor region of many cranial sensory organs and ganglia), and other ectodermal domains.
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43
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Feehan JM, Chiu CN, Stanar P, Tam BM, Ahmed SN, Moritz OL. Modeling Dominant and Recessive Forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa by Editing Three Rhodopsin-Encoding Genes in Xenopus Laevis Using Crispr/Cas9. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6920. [PMID: 28761125 PMCID: PMC5537283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07153-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The utility of Xenopus laevis, a common research subject for developmental biology, retinal physiology, cell biology, and other investigations, has been limited by lack of a robust gene knockout or knock-down technology. Here we describe manipulation of the X. laevis genome using CRISPR/Cas9 to model the human disorder retinitis pigmentosa, and to introduce point mutations or exogenous DNA sequences. We introduced and characterized in-frame and out-of-frame insertions and deletions in three genes encoding rhodopsin by co-injection of Cas9 mRNA, eGFP mRNA, and single guide RNAs into fertilized eggs. Deletions were characterized by direct sequencing and cloning; phenotypes were assessed by assays of rod opsin in retinal extracts, and confocal microscopy of cryosectioned and immunolabeled contralateral eyes. We obtained germline transmission of editing to F1 offspring. In-frame deletions frequently caused dominant retinal degeneration associated with rhodopsin biosynthesis defects, while frameshift phenotypes were consistent with knockout. We inserted eGFP or point mutations into rhodopsin genes by co-injection of repair fragments with homology to the Cas9 target sites. Our techniques can produce high frequency gene editing in X. laevis, permitting analysis in the F0 generation, and advancing the utility of X. laevis as a subject for biological research and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Feehan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Colney Ln, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK, NR4 7UH
| | - Colette N Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9
| | - Paloma Stanar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9
| | - Beatrice M Tam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9
| | - Sheikh N Ahmed
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9
| | - Orson L Moritz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 3N9.
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Wen L, Fu L, Shi YB. Histone methyltransferase Dot1L is a coactivator for thyroid hormone receptor during Xenopus development. FASEB J 2017; 31:4821-4831. [PMID: 28739643 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700131r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Histone modifications are associated with transcriptional regulation by diverse transcription factors. Genome-wide correlation studies have revealed that histone activation marks and repression marks are associated with activated and repressed gene expression, respectively. Among the histone activation marks is histone H3 K79 methylation, which is carried out by only a single methyltransferase, disruptor of telomeric silencing-1-like (DOT1L). We have been studying thyroid hormone (T3)-dependent amphibian metamorphosis in two highly related species, the pseudo-tetraploid Xenopus laevis and diploid Xenopus tropicalis, as a model for postembryonic development, a period around birth in mammals that is difficult to study. We previously showed that H3K79 methylation levels are induced at T3 target genes during natural and T3-induced metamorphosis and that Dot1L is itself a T3 target gene. These suggest that T3 induces Dot1L expression, and Dot1L in turn functions as a T3 receptor (TR) coactivator to promote vertebrate development. We show here that in cotransfection studies or in the reconstituted frog oocyte in vivo transcription system, overexpression of Dot1L enhances gene activation by TR in the presence of T3. Furthermore, making use of the ability to carry out transgenesis in X. laevis and gene knockdown in X. tropicalis, we demonstrate that endogenous Dot1L is critical for T3-induced activation of endogenous TR target genes while transgenic Dot1L enhances endogenous TR function in premetamorphic tadpoles in the presence of T3. Our studies thus for the first time provide complementary gain- and loss-of functional evidence in vivo for a cofactor, Dot1L, in gene activation by TR during vertebrate development.-Wen, L., Fu, L., Shi, Y.-B. Histone methyltransferase Dot1L is a coactivator for thyroid hormone receptor during Xenopus development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Wen
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Liezhen Fu
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yun-Bo Shi
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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45
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Otsuka-Yamaguchi R, Kawasumi-Kita A, Kudo N, Izutsu Y, Tamura K, Yokoyama H. Cells from subcutaneous tissues contribute to scarless skin regeneration in Xenopus laevis froglets. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:585-597. [PMID: 28618059 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammals cannot regenerate the dermis and other skin structures after an injury and instead form a scar. However, a Xenopus laevis froglet can regenerate scarless skin, including the dermis and secretion glands, on the limbs and trunk after skin excision. Subcutaneous tissues in the limbs and trunk consist mostly of muscles. Although subcutaneous tissues beneath a skin injury appear disorganized, the cellular contribution of these underlying tissues to skin regeneration remains unclear. RESULTS We crossed the inbred J strain with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled transgenic Xenopus line to obtain chimeric froglets that have GFP-negative skin and GFP-labeled subcutaneous tissues and are not affected by immune rejection after metamorphosis. We found that GFP-positive cells from subcutaneous tissues contributed to regenerating the skin, especially the dermis, after an excision injury. We also showed that the skin on the head, which is over bone rather than muscle, can also completely regenerate skin structures. CONCLUSIONS Cells derived from subcutaneous tissues, at least in the trunk region, contribute to and may be essential for skin regeneration. Characterizing the subcutaneous tissue-derived cells that contribute to skin regeneration in amphibians may lead to the induction of cells that can regenerate complete skin structures without scarring in mammals. Developmental Dynamics 246:585-597, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Otsuka-Yamaguchi
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Aiko Kawasumi-Kita
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nanako Kudo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Yumi Izutsu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Koji Tamura
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yokoyama
- Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
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Whitworth GB, Misaghi BC, Rosenthal DM, Mills EA, Heinen DJ, Watson AH, Ives CW, Ali SH, Bezold K, Marsh-Armstrong N, Watson FL. Translational profiling of retinal ganglion cell optic nerve regeneration in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2017; 426:360-373. [PMID: 27471010 PMCID: PMC5897040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Unlike adult mammals, adult frogs regrow their optic nerve following a crush injury, making Xenopus laevis a compelling model for studying the molecular mechanisms that underlie neuronal regeneration. Using Translational Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP), a method to isolate ribosome-associated mRNAs from a target cell population, we have generated a transcriptional profile by RNA-Seq for retinal ganglion cells (RGC) during the period of recovery following an optic nerve injury. Based on bioinformatic analysis using the Xenopus laevis 9.1 genome assembly, our results reveal a profound shift in the composition of ribosome-associated mRNAs during the early stages of RGC regeneration. As factors involved in cell signaling are rapidly down-regulated, those involved in protein biosynthesis are up-regulated alongside key initiators of axon development. Using the new genome assembly, we were also able to analyze gene expression profiles of homeologous gene pairs arising from a whole-genome duplication in the Xenopus lineage. Here we see evidence of divergence in regulatory control among a significant proportion of pairs. Our data should provide a valuable resource for identifying genes involved in the regeneration process to target for future functional studies, in both naturally regenerative and non-regenerative vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Whitworth
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - B C Misaghi
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - D M Rosenthal
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - E A Mills
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Solomon H. Snyder Dept. of Neuroscience and Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - D J Heinen
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - A H Watson
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - C W Ives
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - S H Ali
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - K Bezold
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - N Marsh-Armstrong
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Solomon H. Snyder Dept. of Neuroscience and Hugo Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - F L Watson
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States.
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47
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Langhe R, Chesneau A, Colozza G, Hidalgo M, Ail D, Locker M, Perron M. Müller glial cell reactivation in Xenopus models of retinal degeneration. Glia 2017; 65:1333-1349. [PMID: 28548249 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A striking aspect of tissue regeneration is its uneven distribution among different animal classes, both in terms of modalities and efficiency. The retina does not escape the rule, exhibiting extraordinary self-repair properties in anamniote species but extremely limited ones in mammals. Among cellular sources prone to contribute to retinal regeneration are Müller glial cells, which in teleosts have been known for a decade to re-acquire a stem/progenitor state and regenerate retinal neurons following injury. As their regenerative potential was hitherto unexplored in amphibians, we tackled this issue using two Xenopus retinal injury paradigms we implemented: a mechanical needle poke injury and a transgenic model allowing for conditional photoreceptor cell ablation. These models revealed that Müller cells are indeed able to proliferate and replace lost cells following damage/degeneration in the retina. Interestingly, the extent of cell cycle re-entry appears dependent on the age of the animal, with a refractory period in early tadpole stages. Our findings pave the way for future studies aimed at identifying the molecular cues that either sustain or constrain the recruitment of Müller glia, an issue of utmost importance to set up therapeutic strategies for eye regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Langhe
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Albert Chesneau
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Gabriele Colozza
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Magdalena Hidalgo
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Divya Ail
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Morgane Locker
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France
| | - Muriel Perron
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, 91405, France.,Centre d'Etude et de Recherche Thérapeutique en Ophtalmologie, Retina France, Orsay, 91405, France
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Ochi H, Kawaguchi A, Tanouchi M, Suzuki N, Kumada T, Iwata Y, Ogino H. Co-accumulation of cis-regulatory and coding mutations during the pseudogenization of the Xenopus laevis homoeologs six6.L and six6.S. Dev Biol 2017; 427:84-92. [PMID: 28501477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Common models for the evolution of duplicated genes after genome duplication are subfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, and pseudogenization. Although the crucial roles of cis-regulatory mutations in subfunctionalization are well-documented, their involvement in pseudogenization and/or neofunctionalization remains unclear. We addressed this issue by investigating the evolution of duplicated homeobox genes, six6.L and six6.S, in the allotetraploid frog Xenopus laevis. Based on a comparative expression analysis, we observed similar eye-specific expression patterns for the two loci and their single ortholog in the ancestral-type diploid species Xenopus tropicalis. However, we detected lower levels of six6.S expression than six6.L expression. The six6.S enhancer sequence was more highly diverged from the orthologous enhancer of X. tropicalis than the six6.L enhancer, and showed weaker activity in a transgenic reporter assay. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the protein sequences, we observed greater divergence between X. tropicalis Six6 and Six6.S than between X. tropicalis Six6 and Six6.L, and the observed mutations were reminiscent of a microphthalmia mutation in human SIX6. Misexpression experiments showed that six6.S has weaker eye-enlarging activity than six6.L, and targeted disruption of six6.L reduced the eye size more significantly than that of six6.S. These results suggest that enhancer attenuation stimulates the accumulation of hypomorphic coding mutations, or vice versa, in one duplicated gene copy and facilitates pseudogenization. We also underscore the value of the allotetraploid genome of X. laevis as a resource for studying latent pathogenic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Ochi
- Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture 990-9585, Japan
| | - Akane Kawaguchi
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Mikio Tanouchi
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture 990-9585, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Kumada
- Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture 990-9585, Japan
| | - Yui Iwata
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Department of Animal Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan; Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
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Asymmetrically reduced expression of hand1 homeologs involving a single nucleotide substitution in a cis -regulatory element. Dev Biol 2017; 425:152-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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50
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Luu N, Fu L, Fujimoto K, Shi YB. Direct Regulation of Histidine Ammonia-Lyase 2 Gene by Thyroid Hormone in the Developing Adult Intestinal Stem Cells. Endocrinology 2017; 158:1022-1033. [PMID: 28323994 PMCID: PMC5460799 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most vertebrate organs use adult stem cells to maintain homeostasis and ensure proper repair when damaged. How such organ-specific stem cells are formed during vertebrate development is largely unexplored. We have been using the thyroid hormone (T3)-dependent amphibian metamorphosis to address this issue. Early studies in Xenopus laevis have shown that intestinal remodeling involves complete degeneration of the larval epithelium and de novo formation of adult stem cells through dedifferentiation of some larval epithelial cells. We have further discovered that the histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL; also known as histidase or histidinase)-2 gene is strongly and specifically activated by T3 in the proliferating adult stem cells of the intestine during metamorphosis, implicating a role of histidine catabolism in the development of adult intestinal stem cells. To determine the mechanism by which T3 regulates the HAL2 gene, we have carried out bioinformatics analysis and discovered a putative T3 response element (TRE) in the HAL2 gene. Importantly, we show that this TRE is bound by T3 receptor (TR) in the intestine during metamorphosis. The TRE is capable of binding to the heterodimer of TR and 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) in vitro and mediate transcriptional activation by liganded TR/RXR in frog oocytes. More importantly, the HAL2 promoter containing the TRE can drive T3-dependent reporter gene expression to mimic endogenous HAL2 expression in transgenic animals. Our results suggest that the TRE mediates the induction of HAL2 gene by T3 in the developing adult intestinal stem cells during metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nga Luu
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Liezhen Fu
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kenta Fujimoto
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yun-Bo Shi
- Section on Molecular Morphogenesis, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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