1
|
Cleaver O. Why publish in DB? Dev Biol 2024; 513:31-32. [PMID: 38844024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
|
2
|
Rogers CD, Amemiya C, Arur S, Babonis L, Barresi M, Bartlett M, Behringer R, Benham-Pyle B, Bergmann D, Blackman B, Brown CT, Browne B, Camacho J, Chabu CY, Chow I, Cleaver O, Cool J, Dennis MY, Dickinson AJ, Di Talia S, Frank M, Gillmor S, Haag ES, Hariharan I, Harland R, Husbands A, Jerome-Majewska L, Koenig K, Labonne C, Layden M, Lowe C, Mani M, Martik M, McKown K, Moens C, Mosimann C, Onyenedum J, Reed R, Rivera A, Rokhsar D, Royer L, Rutaganira F, Shahan R, Sinha N, Swalla B, Van Norman JM, Wagner DE, Wikramanayake A, Zebell S, Brady SM. Pluripotency of a founding field: rebranding developmental biology. Development 2024; 151:dev202342. [PMID: 38345109 PMCID: PMC10986740 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The field of developmental biology has declined in prominence in recent decades, with off-shoots from the field becoming more fashionable and highly funded. This has created inequity in discovery and opportunity, partly due to the perception that the field is antiquated or not cutting edge. A 'think tank' of scientists from multiple developmental biology-related disciplines came together to define specific challenges in the field that may have inhibited innovation, and to provide tangible solutions to some of the issues facing developmental biology. The community suggestions include a call to the community to help 'rebrand' the field, alongside proposals for additional funding apparatuses, frameworks for interdisciplinary innovative collaborations, pedagogical access, improved science communication, increased diversity and inclusion, and equity of resources to provide maximal impact to the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Crystal D. Rogers
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Chris Amemiya
- University of California, Merced, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Quantitative and Systems Biology Program, 5200 N. Lake Road, SE1 262, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Swathi Arur
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leslie Babonis
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Madelaine Bartlett
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Richard Behringer
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Blair Benham-Pyle
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dominique Bergmann
- Department of Biology and HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ben Blackman
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, USA
| | - C. Titus Brown
- Population Health & Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bill Browne
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Jasmin Camacho
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | | | - Ida Chow
- Society for Developmental Biology, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Ondine Cleaver
- Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jonah Cool
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Megan Y. Dennis
- Genome Center, MIND Institute, and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stefano Di Talia
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Margaret Frank
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Stewart Gillmor
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, CINVESTAV-IPN, Irapuato, Guanajuato 36824, Mexico
| | - Eric S. Haag
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Iswar Hariharan
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Richard Harland
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Aman Husbands
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Loydie Jerome-Majewska
- Department of Pediatrics, Human Genetics, Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | | | - Carole Labonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Michael Layden
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Chris Lowe
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, 120 Oceanview Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Madhav Mani
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Megan Martik
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Katelyn McKown
- Department of Biology and Stanford Introductory Studies, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cecilia Moens
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E. 17th Avenue, RC1 South, 12114, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Joyce Onyenedum
- School of Integrative Plant Sciences and L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Robert Reed
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ajna Rivera
- University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | - Dan Rokhsar
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Loic Royer
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Flora Rutaganira
- Departments of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rachel Shahan
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Neelima Sinha
- Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Billie Swalla
- Biology Department and Friday Harbor Labs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jaimie M. Van Norman
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Daniel E. Wagner
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Sophia Zebell
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Siobhán M. Brady
- Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ricci-Tam C, Kuipa S, Kostman MP, Aronson MS, Sgro AE. Microbial models of development: Inspiration for engineering self-assembled synthetic multicellularity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:50-62. [PMID: 35537929 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.014] [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: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
While the field of synthetic developmental biology has traditionally focused on the study of the rich developmental processes seen in metazoan systems, an attractive alternate source of inspiration comes from microbial developmental models. Microbes face unique lifestyle challenges when forming emergent multicellular collectives. As a result, the solutions they employ can inspire the design of novel multicellular systems. In this review, we dissect the strategies employed in multicellular development by two model microbial systems: the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and the biofilm-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Both microbes face similar challenges but often have different solutions, both from metazoan systems and from each other, to create emergent multicellularity. These challenges include assembling and sustaining a critical mass of participating individuals to support development, regulating entry into development, and assigning cell fates. The mechanisms these microbial systems exploit to robustly coordinate development under a wide range of conditions offer inspiration for a new toolbox of solutions to the synthetic development community. Additionally, recreating these phenomena synthetically offers a pathway to understanding the key principles underlying how these behaviors are coordinated naturally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ricci-Tam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sophia Kuipa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maya Peters Kostman
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mark S Aronson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Allyson E Sgro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stern CD. Reflections on the past, present and future of developmental biology. Dev Biol 2022; 488:30-34. [PMID: 35550127 PMCID: PMC10442289 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Developmental Biology embodies some of the most fundamental questions in Biology and can trace its roots back to several thousand years ago; the last 100 years have been particularly extraordinary. In part the advances have been fuelled by new technical advances and knowledge in many other areas, which have contributed to shaping the field as truly interdisciplinary. During those 100 years some of our predecessors identified some key questions and a few important principles especially by trying to find general rules that govern what cells are able to do and how they choose between different options, as well as principles of experimental design that can be used to uncover those rules even before we know their physicochemical underpinnings. But the field has been changing rapidly in the last two decades. Here I present a brief overview of some of the changes that have taken place over the last Century and a personal view of current directions. The picture that emerges is of some dark clouds on the horizon, so this is also a call to arms for our colleagues to try to regain what the field has been losing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio D Stern
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Anatomy Building, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Avalos PN, Forsthoefel DJ. An Emerging Frontier in Intercellular Communication: Extracellular Vesicles in Regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:849905. [PMID: 35646926 PMCID: PMC9130466 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.849905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration requires cellular proliferation, differentiation, and other processes that are regulated by secreted cues originating from cells in the local environment. Recent studies suggest that signaling by extracellular vesicles (EVs), another mode of paracrine communication, may also play a significant role in coordinating cellular behaviors during regeneration. EVs are nanoparticles composed of a lipid bilayer enclosing proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other metabolites, and are secreted by most cell types. Upon EV uptake by target cells, EV cargo can influence diverse cellular behaviors during regeneration, including cell survival, immune responses, extracellular matrix remodeling, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In this review, we briefly introduce the history of EV research and EV biogenesis. Then, we review current understanding of how EVs regulate cellular behaviors during regeneration derived from numerous studies of stem cell-derived EVs in mammalian injury models. Finally, we discuss the potential of other established and emerging research organisms to expand our mechanistic knowledge of basic EV biology, how injury modulates EV biogenesis, cellular sources of EVs in vivo, and the roles of EVs in organisms with greater regenerative capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla N. Avalos
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - David J. Forsthoefel
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wallingford JB. Aristotle, Buddhist scripture and embryology in ancient Mexico: building inclusion by re-thinking what counts as the history of developmental biology. Development 2021; 148:148/3/dev192062. [PMID: 33526415 PMCID: PMC7875486 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
It has not gone unnoticed in recent times that historical writing about science is heavily Eurocentric. A striking example can be found in the history of developmental biology: textbooks and popular science writing frequently trace an intellectual thread from the Greek philosopher Aristotle through 19th century embryology to 20th century genetics. Few in our field are aware of the depth and breadth of early embryological thinking outside of Europe. Here, I provide a series of vignettes highlighting the rich history of embryological thinking in Asia and Latin America. My goal is to provide an entertaining, even provocative, synopsis of this important but under-studied topic. It is my hope that this work will spur others to carry out more thorough investigations, with the ultimate goal of building a more inclusive discipline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2401 Speedway, Patterson Labs, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Konovalov A, Shekhtman O, Shekhtman AP, Bezborodova T. Chondrosarcoma of the Skull Base: A Case Study and Literature Review. Cureus 2020; 12:e12412. [PMID: 33659104 PMCID: PMC7847484 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrosarcomas (CSs) are rare malignant tumors composed of cells derived from the transformed chondrocytes. Only 2% of the total cases of CS are found at the skull base, thus representing a 0.1-0.2% prevalence. We present the case of a patient with CS at the middle cranial fossa who was admitted for surgery to the Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery. In addition, we engage in a review of the literature to discuss the current approaches to the diagnostics and surgery of CS and delve deep into its embryo- and oncogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton Konovalov
- Vascular Surgery, Burdenko Neurosurgical Center, Moscow, RUS
| | - Oleg Shekhtman
- Vascular Surgery, Burdenko National Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Moscow, RUS
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Campbell K, Noël ES, Fletcher AG, Bulgakova NA. Contemporary morphogenesis. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190549. [DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kyra Campbell
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Emily S. Noël
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Alexander G. Fletcher
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | - Natalia A. Bulgakova
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shanmugam S, Zhao S, Nandy S, Srivastava V, Khodakovskaya M. Modification of soybean growth and abiotic stress tolerance by expression of truncated ERECTA protein from Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233383. [PMID: 32428035 PMCID: PMC7236981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
ERECTA gene family encodes leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases that control major aspects of plant development such as elongation of aboveground organs, leaf initiation, development of flowers, and epidermis differentiation. To clarify the importance of ERECTA signaling for the development of soybean (Glycine max), we expressed the dominant-negative ERECTA gene from Arabidopsis thaliana that is truncated in the kinase domain (AtΔKinase). Expression of AtΔKinase in soybean resulted in the short stature, reduced number of leaves, reduced leaf surface area and enhanced branching in the transgenic plants. The transgenic AtΔKinase soybean plants exhibited increased tolerance to water deficit stress due to the reduction of total leaf area and reduced transpiration compared to the wild-type plants. Production of seeds in AtΔKinase lines was higher compared to wild type at regular conditions of cultivation and after exposure to drought stress. Transgenic seedlings expressing AtΔKinase were also able to withstand salt stress better than the wild-type. Established results demonstrated the significance of native soybean genes (GmER and GmERL) in development and stress response of soybean, and suggested that the truncated ERECTA gene of Arabidopsis thaliana can be used to manipulate the growth and stress response of different crop species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Shanmugam
- Department of Biology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Shan Zhao
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Soumen Nandy
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Vibha Srivastava
- Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Mariya Khodakovskaya
- Department of Biology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Briscoe J, Brown K. Developing new associations. Development 2020; 147:147/5/dev189704. [PMID: 32139359 DOI: 10.1242/dev.189704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Summary: In this Editorial, we announce the recruitment of several Associate Editors to cover new and expanding areas of developmental biology. We also discuss various policies and initiatives to improve transparency and efficiency in our editorial processes.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Humans have sought to understand the embryo for millennia. Paradoxically, even as technical and intellectual innovations bring us ever closer to a transformative understanding of developmental biology, our discipline faces an "image problem." We should face this problem by acknowledging that developmental biology is fundamental to the human experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lu P, Zhou T, Xu C, Lu Y. Mammary stem cells, where art thou? WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e357. [PMID: 31322329 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tremendous progress has been made in the field of stem cell biology. This is in part due to the emergence of various vertebrate organs, including the mammary gland, as an amenable model system for adult stem cell studies and remarkable technical advances in single cell technology and modern genetic lineage tracing. In the current review, we summarize the recent progress in mammary gland stem cell biology at both the adult and embryonic stages. We discuss current challenges and controversies, and potentially new and exciting directions for future research. This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chongshen Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunzhe Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Opazo JC, Kuraku S, Zavala K, Toloza-Villalobos J, Hoffmann FG. Evolution of nodal and nodal-related genes and the putative composition of the heterodimers that trigger the nodal pathway in vertebrates. Evol Dev 2019; 21:205-217. [PMID: 31210006 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nodal is a signaling molecule that belongs to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily that plays key roles during the early stages of development of animals. In vertebrates Nodal forms an heterodimer with a GDF1/3 protein to activate the Nodal pathway. Vertebrates have a paralog of nodal in their genomes labeled Nodal-related, but the evolutionary history of these genes is a matter of debate, mainly because of the presence of a variable numbers of genes in the vertebrate genomes sequenced so far. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of the Nodal and Nodal-related genes with an emphasis in tracking changes in the number of genes among vertebrates. Our results show the presence of two gene lineages (Nodal and Nodal-related) that can be traced back to the ancestor of jawed vertebrates. These lineages have undergone processes of differential retention and lineage-specific expansions. Our results imply that Nodal and Nodal-related duplicated at the latest in the ancestor of gnathostomes, and they still retain a significant level of functional redundancy. By comparing the evolution of the Nodal/Nodal-related with GDF1/3 gene family, it is possible to infer that there are several types of heterodimers that can trigger the Nodal pathway among vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Opazo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Shigehiro Kuraku
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Kattina Zavala
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jessica Toloza-Villalobos
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Federico G Hoffmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi.,Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Scientific disciplines embody commitments to particular questions and approaches, scopes and audiences; they exclude as well as include. Developmental biology is no exception, and it is useful to reflect on what it has kept in and left out since the field was founded after World War II. To that end, this article sketches a history of how developmental biology has been different from the comparative, human and even experimental embryologies that preceded it, as well as the embryology that was institutionalized in reproductive biology and medicine around the same time. Early developmental biology largely excluded evolution and the environment, but promised to embrace the entire living world and the whole life course. Developmental biologists have been overcoming those exclusions for some years, but might do more to deliver on the promises while cultivating closer relations, not least, to reproductive studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Hopwood
- Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zon L. Improving the visibility of developmental biology: time for induction and specification. Development 2019; 146:146/2/dev174631. [PMID: 30651297 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Developmental biology is a prominent field that has captured the imagination of many scientists. Over the years, research in the area has seen a steady number of amazing accomplishments, with peaks in activity following the development and application of new technologies. Although the field continues to flourish and produce excellent work, I have recently noticed difficulty with its perception and visibility. Having joined the developmental biology community during the early 1990s, and contributing since as a stem cell researcher, cancer biologist and an MD, I have a unique perspective on these challenges. Here, I discuss these issues and challenges and offer potential solutions for a field that is very important to me.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Zon
- HHMI/Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Maartens A, Prokop A, Brown K, Pourquié O. Advocating developmental biology. Development 2018; 145:145/12/dev167932. [PMID: 29945987 DOI: 10.1242/dev.167932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Prokop
- The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biology, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Musy M, Flaherty K, Raspopovic J, Robert-Moreno A, Richtsmeier JT, Sharpe J. A quantitative method for staging mouse embryos based on limb morphometry. Development 2018; 145:dev.154856. [PMID: 29540505 PMCID: PMC5963863 DOI: 10.1242/dev.154856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To determine the developmental stage of embryonic mice, we apply a geometric morphometric approach to the changing shape of the mouse limb bud as it grows from embryonic day 10 to embryonic day 15 post-conception. As the ontogenetic sequence results in the de novo emergence of shape features not present in the early stages, we have created a standard ontogenetic trajectory for limb bud development - a quantitative characterization of shape change during limb morphogenesis. This trajectory of form as a function of time also gives us the reverse function: the ability to infer developmental stage from form, with a typical uncertainty of 2 h. We introduce eMOSS (embryonic mouse ontogenetic staging system) as a fast, reliable, convenient and freely available online tool for staging embryos from two-dimensional images of their limb buds, and illustrate its use in phenotyping early limb abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Musy
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain,EMBL Barcelona, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - Kevin Flaherty
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jelena Raspopovic
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandre Robert-Moreno
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain,EMBL Barcelona, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Joan T. Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - James Sharpe
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain,EMBL Barcelona, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain,Authors for correspondence (; )
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Richtsmeier JT. A century of development. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 165:726-740. [PMID: 29574839 PMCID: PMC6007869 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| |
Collapse
|