The cytoskeletal protein Zyxin interacts with the zinc-finger transcription factor Zic1 and plays the role of a scaffold for Gli1 and Zic1 interactions during early development of Xenopus laevis

We have shown recently that the cytoskeletal protein Zyxin participates in the fine tuning of the neural plate pattering in Xenopus laevis embryos by modulating activity of one of the effectors of Hedgehog (Shh) signaling cascade, the transcription factor Gli1. In the present work, we show that Zyxin can also interact with the potential modulator of the Shh pathway, the transcription factor Zic1. The interaction of proteins occurs primarily by mean of the zinc-finger domain of Zic1 and 2nd LIM domain of Zyxin. Moreover, we have also revealed the ability of the Zyxin, Zic1 and Gli1 to form a ternary complex. The activity of this complex resembles that of the previously described by other authors protein complex formed by Gli1 and Zic1, amplifying effect of the latter. The data obtained provide evidence for the scaffolding role of Zyxin for Gli1 and Zic1 interactions and confirm its role in the regulation of Shh signaling cascade.

[Secreted Protein Noggin4 Participates in the Formation of Forebrain Structures in Xenopus laevis by Inhibiting the Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway]

Noggin proteins are important regulators of the early development of the vertebrate neural system. Previously, it has been traditionally thought that vertebrates have only one noggin gene (Noggin1), whose main function is the inhibition of BMP signaling pathway during the formation of dorsoventral polarity in embryos. Then other proteins of this family were discovered, and the studies of Noggin2 protein showed that noggin proteins also participate in the modulation of Nodal/Activin and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways in the early development of amphibian head structures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of another noggin protein, Noggin4. We proved that Noggin4 plays an important role in the formation of head structure in clawed frog, since it inhibits the activity of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. At the same time, unlike Noggin1 and Noggin2, Noggin4 does not inhibit the activity of TGF-beta signaling pathways (BMP and Nodal/Activin).

[The Point Mutation in NOGGIN2 Protein That Enhances Its Ability to Bind Activin]

Earlier we have revealed the ability of Noggin family proteins to bind a member of the TUF-β superfamily, ActivinB, and to repress the Activin-dependent Smad2 signaling cascade. In the present work we have characterized a mutant of the Xenopus laevis Noggin2, bearing the substitution W203R. We have shown that this point mutation enhances the affinity of Noggin2 to ActivinB, while weakens its affinity to BMP. Consistently, we have shown that W203 R mutant inhibits Smad2 signaling cascade more efficiently than the wild-type Noggin2. Interestingly, the mutation of human Noggin in the homologous position is associated with hereditary anomalies. The revealed effects of W203R substitution in Noggin2 demonstrate promising potential of such mutagenesis for generation of Noggin variants with enhanced affinity to different members of the TGF-β superfamily.

[ag1 Is Required for the Fin Regeneration in Danio rerio]

In the current research, we have demonstrated that Ag1 protein is necessary for the fin regeneration in the fish Danio rerio. Robust activation of gene ag1 expression in cells of the wound epithelium is observed after caudal fin amputation. Besides, inhibition of translation of ag1 mRNA leads to retardation of the caudal tail fin regeneration. Results of our research are important because only lower vertebrates (fish and amphibians) with good regenerative capacity have ag1, whereas this gene is missing in higher vertebrates, which are not capable to effectively regenerate limbs. Our data confirm that reduction of the regenerative abilities in higher vertebrates, including human, could be explained by extinction of some genes essential for the regeneration, in particular, of ag1.

A monomeric red fluorescent protein with low cytotoxicity

Multicolour labelling with fluorescent proteins is frequently used to differentially highlight specific structures in living systems. Labelling with fusion proteins is particularly demanding and is still problematic with the currently available palette of fluorescent proteins that emit in the red range due to unsuitable subcellular localization, protein-induced toxicity and low levels of labelling efficiency. Here we report a new monomeric red fluorescent protein, called FusionRed, which demonstrates both high efficiency in fusions and low toxicity in living cells and tissues.

Expression zones of three novel genes abut the developing anterior neural plate of Xenopus embryo

We identified three novel genes that were expressed within the anterior non-neural ectoderm of Xenopus early neurula embryos. The expression of these genes was observed in the different areas complementary to the expression zone of a homeodomain gene Xanf-1 in the anterior neural plate. One of these genes, a Ras-like GTP-ase Ras-dva, marked the anterior placodal ectoderm area; a second, an Agr family homologous gene, XAgr2, was expressed in the anterior-most ectoderm in the cement gland primordium, and a third, novel gene Nlo was expressed in the lateral neural folds. The genes were transiently expressed in the developing cement and hatching gland primordia, and repressed in the mature cement and hatching glands. XAgr2 and Nlo were also expressed in the otic vesicles, and Ras-dva was expressed in the dorso-lateral column of the neural tube.

Subcellular localization and targeting of glucocorticoid receptor protein fusions expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana

An animal system of inducible activation of protein fusions with the binding domain of glucocorticoid receptor (BDGR) was tested in Arabidopsis thaliana by monitoring dexamethasone (DEX)-induced nuclear targeting of reporter constructs. Two constructs containing green fluorescent protein (GFP), human homeobox protein Hanf-1 and Xenopus laevis BDGR were used, GFP/Hanf-1/BDGR and GFP/BDGR. The control construct contained GFP alone. In the absence of DEX both fusion proteins were uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of root cells, but showed strong association with plastids in plant aerial parts. DEX treatment of roots prompted a strong and reversible nuclear accumulation of GFP/Hanf-1/BDGR, but not GFP/BDGR. Thus, in roots, the specific nuclear translocation of GFP/Hanf-1/BDGR was driven by Hanf-1 and tightly regulated by BDGR. However, in plant aerial parts treated with DEX, nuclear translocation of GFP/Hanf-1/BDGR was observed only in a few cases, and most part of the fusion protein was incorrectly and irreversibly targeted to plastids. Protease X digestion of isolated chloroplasts showed that BDGR fusion proteins were translocated into the chloroplast envelope and bound to envelope membranes, probably due to association with the chloroplast import apparatus. Thus, for efficient use of the glucocorticoid-inducible system in plants, it will be necessary to modify BDGR structure to prevent incorrect targeting of fusion proteins.

Natural animal coloration can Be determined by a nonfluorescent green fluorescent protein homolog

It is generally accepted that the colors displayed by living organisms are determined by low molecular weight pigments or chromoproteins that require a prosthetic group. The exception to this rule is green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria that forms a fluorophore by self-catalyzed protein backbone modification. Here we found a naturally nonfluorescent homolog of GFP to determine strong purple coloration of tentacles in the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata. Under certain conditions, this novel chromoprotein produces a trace amount of red fluorescence (emission lambda(max) = 595 nm). The fluorescence demonstrates unique behavior: its intensity increases in the presence of green light but is inhibited by blue light. The quantum yield of fluorescence can be enhanced dramatically by single amino acid replacement, which probably restores the ancestral fluorescent state of the protein. Other fluorescent variants of the novel protein have emission peaks that are red-shifted up to 610 nm. They demonstrate that long wavelength fluorescence is attainable in GFP-like fluorescent proteins.

The homeobox gene, Xanf-1, can control both neural differentiation and patterning in the presumptive anterior neurectoderm of the Xenopus laevis embryo

From the onset of neurectoderm differentiation, homeobox genes of the Anf class are expressed within a region corresponding to the presumptive telencephalic and rostral diencephalic primordia. Here we investigate functions of the Xenopus member of Anf, Xanf-1, in the differentiation of the anterior neurectoderm. We demonstrate that ectopic Xanf-1 can expand the neural plate at expense of adjacent non-neural ectoderm. In tadpoles, the expanded regions of the plate developed into abnormal brain outgrowths. At the same time, Xanf-1 can inhibit terminal differentiation of primary neurones. We also show that, during gastrula/neurula stages, the exogenous Xanf-1 can downregulate four transcription regulators, XBF-1, Otx-2, Pax-6 and the endogenous Xanf-1, that are expressed in the anterior neurectoderm. However, during further development, when the exogenous Xanf-1 was presumably degraded, re-activation of XBF-1, Otx-2 and Pax-6 was observed in the abnormal outgrowths developed from blastomeres microinjected with Xanf-1 mRNA. Other effects of the ectopic Xanf-1 include cyclopic phenotype and inhibition of the cement gland, both by Otx-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Using fusions of Xanf-1 with the repressor domain of Drosophila engrailed or activator domain of herpes virus VP16 protein, we showed that most of the observed effects of Xanf-1 were probably elicited by its functioning as a transcription repressor. Altogether, our data indicate that the repressor function of Xanf-1 may be necessary for regulation of both neural differentiation and patterning in the presumptive anterior neurectoderm.

Fluorescent proteins from nonbioluminescent Anthozoa species

We have cloned six fluorescent proteins homologous to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria. Two of these have spectral characteristics dramatically different from GFP, emitting at yellow and red wavelengths. All the proteins were isolated from nonbioluminescent reef corals, demonstrating that GFP-like proteins are not always functionally linked to bioluminescence. The new proteins share the same beta-can fold first observed in GFP, and this provided a basis for the comparative analysis of structural features important for fluorescence. The usefulness of the new proteins for in vivo labeling was demonstrated by expressing them in mammalian cell culture and in mRNA microinjection assays in Xenopus embryos.

A novel marker of early epidermal differentiation: cDNA subtractive cloning starting on a single explant of Xenopus laevis gastrula epidermis

To understand the molecular mechanism underlying in the earliest steps of the embryonic ectoderm subdivision into epidermis and neuroectoderm, it would be important to isolate differentially expressed genes in presumptive neuroectoderm and epidermis at the gastrula stage, the period of the divergence of the two adjacent ectodermal compartments. Meanwhile, the most direct approach for such a task, i.e. subtractive enrichment of cDNA from neuroectodermal and epidermal explants with differentially expressed gene sequences, was difficult to realize because of the high number of explants needed for this technique. In the present paper we report a novel effective and quite simple method of cDNA subtractive enrichment, based on amplification of cDNA in vitro by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allowing to use a very small amount of initial cDNA samples. With this method we have cloned cDNA of a novel gene of Xenopus laevis, which was named XEP-1 for its specific expression in the presumptive epidermis starting from the midgastrula stage.

Anf: a novel class of vertebrate homeobox genes expressed at the anterior end of the main embryonic axis

Five novel genes homologous to the homeobox-containing genes Xanf-1 and Xanf-2 of Xenopus and Hesx-1/Rpx of mouse have been identified as a result of a PCR survey of cDNA in sturgeon, zebrafish, newt, chicken and human. Comparative analysis of the homeodomain primary structure of these genes revealed that they belong to a novel class of homeobox genes, which we name Anf. All genes of this class investigated so far have similar patterns of expression during early embryogenesis, characterized by maximal transcript levels being present at the anterior extremity of the main embryonic body axis. The data obtained also suggest that, despite considerable high structural divergence between their homeodomains, all known Anf genes may be orthologues, and thus represent one of the most quickly evolving classes of vertebrate homeobox genes.

The homeobox-containing gene XANF-1 may control development of the Spemann organizer

At the beginning of gastrulation the homeobox-containing gene, XANF-1, is expressed at a low level throughout the animal hemisphere of Xenopus laevis embryos, with a local maximum of expression in the region of the dorsal blastopore lip. By the end of gastrulation expression ceases everywhere except in the most anterior part of the neurectoderm. We have investigated the functions of this gene by microinjecting XANF-1 mRNA in the blastomeres of the 32-cell stage embryo and have observed the following effects. First, microinjections of the mRNA in the animal blastomeres and the blastomeres of the marginal zone elicited massive migration of cells to the interior of the embryo at the early gastrula stage. Second, overexpression of XANF-1 in the ventral marginal zone (VMZ) resulted in the appearance of an additional centre of gastrulation movements and the formation of a secondary axis. In addition we showed that synthetic XANF-1 mRNA was able to cause dorsal-type differentiation in VMZ explants extirpated from the microinjected embryos at the beginning of gastrulation. These results suggest that XANF-1 may control the main functions of cells of the Spemann organizer.

Inverted terminal repeats permit the average length of amplified DNA fragments to be regulated during preparation of cDNA libraries by polymerase chain reaction

A simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique for construction of cDNA libraries starting with very small amounts of cells or tissues is described. The technique is based on the insertion of inverted terminal repeats into amplified cDNAs which permit short molecules to generate "pan"-type structures at each cycle of PCR amplification and thus to escape annealing with primers. This allows one to avoid amplification of primer dimers and makes it possible to perform oligonucleotide tailing of the first cDNA strands followed by PCR amplification in the same tube. Moreover, the average size of amplified cDNAs can be controlled by varying the primer concentration.

A novel homeobox gene expressed in the anterior neural plate of the Xenopus embryo

To obtain gene sequences controlling the early steps of amphibian neurogenesis, we have performed differential screening of a subtractive cDNA library prepared by a novel PCR-based method from a single presumptive neural plate of a Xenopus laevis late-gastrula embryo. As a result we have isolated a fragment of a novel homeobox gene (named XANF-1, for Xenopus anterior neural folds). This gene is expressed predominantly in the anterior part of the developing nervous system. Such preferential localization of XANF-1 mRNA is established from its initially homogenous distribution in ectoderm of early gastrula. This change in the expression pattern is conditioned by a differential influence of various mesoderm regions on ectoderm: anterior mesoderm activates XANF-1 expression in the overlying ectoderm, whereas posterior axial and ventral mesoderm areas inhibit it. The data obtained demonstrate for the first time that selection of genes for specific expression in the CNS of the early vertebrate embryo is affected not only by chordamesoderm (a neural inductor) but also by ventral mesoderm.

Model of pattern formation in epithelial morphogenesis

One of the most universal events in morphogenesis is the formation of domains of morphologically polarized cells in the initially homogeneous epithelial sheets. We investigate the possibility of considering this process as a phenomenon of self-organization which is based upon the following experimentally proven mechanochemical cell properties: (1) a capacity of individual cells for morphological polarization considered as a bistable "all-or-none" transition of a cell from a non-polarized to a polarized state; (2) transmission of this capacity from one cell to another on their contacts; (3) feedback relations between co-operative cell polarization and tangential elastic tensions in a cell sheet: cell polarization increases tangential tensions whereas the latter inhibit further cell polarization. We have constructed a phenomenological model which formally expresses the above properties. Its mathematical description includes but few macroscopic parameters available to experimental investigation and controlled changes. The analysis of the collective dynamic regimes of cell polarization demonstrates that variations of some non-specific parameters leads to spontaneous transition in the morphology of cell layers accompanied by symmetry breaking (Turing's instability). Under these conditions either long-range ordered patterns of cell polarization (including hexagonal cell nets) or non-regular spotted structures can emerge. In the particular case of a sheet having fixed complete dimensions and lacking any external elastic bonds a stable macrostate is created; it corresponds to the sheet's binary subdivision into polarized and non-polarized cell domains of size-invariant proportions. The model conclusions are compared with the morphogenetical processes in sea-urchin development, the morphogenesis of skin derivates and artificially induced budding in hydrozoa.