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Wang CL, Li P, Liu B, Ma YQ, Feng JX, Xu YN, Liu L, Li ZH. Decrypting the skeletal toxicity of vertebrates caused by environmental pollutants from an evolutionary perspective: From fish to mammals. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 255:119173. [PMID: 38763280 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The rapid development of modern society has led to an increasing severity in the generation of new pollutants and the significant emission of old pollutants, exerting considerable pressure on the ecological environment and posing a serious threat to both biological survival and human health. The skeletal system, as a vital supportive structure and functional unit in organisms, is pivotal in maintaining body shape, safeguarding internal organs, storing minerals, and facilitating blood cell production. Although previous studies have uncovered the toxic effects of pollutants on vertebrate skeletal systems, there is a lack of comprehensive literature reviews in this field. Hence, this paper systematically summarizes the toxic effects and mechanisms of environmental pollutants on the skeletons of vertebrates based on the evolutionary context from fish to mammals. Our findings reveal that current research mainly focuses on fish and mammals, and the identified impact mechanisms mainly involve the regulation of bone signaling pathways, oxidative stress response, endocrine system disorders, and immune system dysfunction. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic understanding of research on skeletal toxicity, while also promoting further research and development in related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cun-Long Wang
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Ping Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Yu-Qing Ma
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Jian-Xue Feng
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Ya-Nan Xu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, China.
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Reis R, Dhawle R, Girard R, Frontistis Z, Mantzavinos D, de Witte P, Cabooter D, Du Pasquier D. Electrochemical degradation of diclofenac generates unexpected thyroidogenic transformation products: Implications for environmental risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134458. [PMID: 38703679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Diclofenac (DCF) is an environmentally persistent, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with thyroid disrupting properties. Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (eAOPs) can efficiently remove NSAIDs from wastewater. However, eAOPs can generate transformation products (TPs) with unknown chemical and biological characteristics. In this study, DCF was electrochemically degraded using a boron-doped diamond anode. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to analyze the TPs of DCF and elucidate its potential degradation pathways. The biological impact of DCF and its TPs was evaluated using the Xenopus Eleutheroembryo Thyroid Assay, employing a transgenic amphibian model to assess thyroid axis activity. As DCF degradation progressed, in vivo thyroid activity transitioned from anti-thyroid in non-treated samples to pro-thyroid in intermediately treated samples, implying the emergence of thyroid-active TPs with distinct modes of action compared to DCF. Molecular docking analysis revealed that certain TPs bind to the thyroid receptor, potentially triggering thyroid hormone-like responses. Moreover, acute toxicity occurred in intermediately degraded samples, indicating the generation of TPs exhibiting higher toxicity than DCF. Both acute toxicity and thyroid effects were mitigated with a prolonged degradation time. This study highlights the importance of integrating in vivo bioassays in the environmental risk assessment of novel degradation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Reis
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department for Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Dhawle
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Caratheodory 1, University Campus, Patras GR-26504, Greece
| | - Romain Girard
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, Bâtiment Genavenir 3, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, Evry 91000, France
| | - Zacharias Frontistis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani GR-50132, Greece
| | - Dionissios Mantzavinos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Caratheodory 1, University Campus, Patras GR-26504, Greece
| | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Deirdre Cabooter
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department for Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - David Du Pasquier
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, Bâtiment Genavenir 3, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, Evry 91000, France
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3
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Du Pasquier D, Salinier B, Coady KK, Jones A, Körner O, LaRocca J, Lemkine G, Robin-Duchesne B, Weltje L, Wheeler JR, Lagadic L. How the Xenopus eleutheroembryonic thyroid assay compares to the amphibian metamorphosis assay for detecting thyroid active chemicals. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 149:105619. [PMID: 38614220 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105619] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The Xenopus Eleutheroembryonic Thyroid Assay (XETA) was recently published as an OECD Test Guideline for detecting chemicals acting on the thyroid axis. However, the OECD validation did not cover all mechanisms that can potentially be detected by the XETA. This study was therefore initiated to investigate and consolidate the applicability domain of the XETA regarding the following mechanisms: thyroid hormone receptor (THR) agonism, sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) inhibition, thyroperoxidase (TPO) inhibition, deiodinase (DIO) inhibition, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonism, and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) induction. In total, 22 chemicals identified as thyroid-active or -inactive in Amphibian Metamorphosis Assays (AMAs) were tested using the XETA OECD Test Guideline. The comparison showed that both assays are highly concordant in identifying chemicals with mechanisms of action related to THR agonism, DIO inhibition, and GR agonism. They also consistently identified the UDPGT inducers as thyroid inactive. NIS inhibition, investigated using sodium perchlorate, was not detected in the XETA. TPO inhibition requires further mechanistic investigations as the reference chemicals tested resulted in opposing response directions in the XETA and AMA. This study contributes refining the applicability domain of the XETA, thereby helping to clarify the conditions where it can be used as an ethical alternative to the AMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Du Pasquier
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 91000, Évry-Courcouronnes, France
| | - Benoît Salinier
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 91000, Évry-Courcouronnes, France
| | - Katherine K Coady
- Bayer Crop Science, Environmental Safety, 700 Chesterfield Parkway West, Chesterfield, MO, USA
| | - Alan Jones
- ADAMA US, Environmental Safety, 3120 Highwoods Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27604, USA
| | - Oliver Körner
- ADAMA, Environmental Safety, Edmund-Rumpler-Strasse 6, 51149, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jessica LaRocca
- Corteva Agriscience, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46268, USA
| | - Gregory Lemkine
- Laboratoire WatchFrog, 1 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 91000, Évry-Courcouronnes, France
| | | | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - James R Wheeler
- Corteva Agriscience, Zuid-Oostsingel 24D, 4611 BB, Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG R&D Crop Science, Alfred-Nobel-Strasse 50, 40789, Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
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Li X, Li J, Li K, Zhang Z, Wang H. Effects of perchlorate and exogenous T4 exposures on body condition and endochondral ossification of Rana chensinensis tadpoles. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 265:106767. [PMID: 37972501 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Perchlorate, as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is largely produced and used in the military, fireworks, fertilizers, and other industries and widely exists in water. Although perchlorate is known to destroy the normal function of thyroid hormones (THs) in amphibians and interfere with their growth and development, the impact of TH levels caused by sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) on endochondral ossification and skeletal development is poorly investigated, and the underlying molecular mechanism has not been clarified. The present study aimed to explore the potential effects of NaClO4 and exogenous thyroxine (T4) on the skeletal development of Rana chensinensis tadpoles and elucidate the related molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that histological changes occurred to the femur and tibia-fibula of tadpoles raised in 250 μg/L NaClO4 and 5 μg/L exogenous T4, and the length of their hindlimbs was significantly reduced. In addition, exogenous T4 exposure significantly interfered with the expression of Dio3, TRβ, MMP9, MMP13, and Runx2, inhibiting the endochondral ossification process. Therefore, we provide robust evidence that the changes in TH levels caused by NaClO4 and exogenous T4 will adversely affect the endochondral ossification and skeletal development of R. chensinensis tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Li
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Kaiyue Li
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Zhiqin Zhang
- Basic Experimental Teaching Center, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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5
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Farre AA, Thomas P, Huang J, Poulsen RA, Owusu Poku E, Stenkamp DL. Plasticity of cone photoreceptors in adult zebrafish revealed by thyroid hormone exposure. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15697. [PMID: 37735192 PMCID: PMC10514274 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42686-x] [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] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate color vision is predominantly mediated by the presence of multiple cone photoreceptor subtypes that are each maximally sensitive to different wavelengths of light. Thyroid hormone (TH) has been shown to be essential in the spatiotemporal patterning of cone subtypes in many species, including cone subtypes that express opsins that are encoded by tandemly replicated genes. TH has been shown to differentially regulate the tandemly replicated lws opsin genes in zebrafish, and exogenous treatments alter the expression levels of these genes in larvae and juveniles. In this study, we sought to determine whether gene expression in cone photoreceptors remains plastic to TH treatment in adults. We used a transgenic lws reporter line, multiplexed fluorescence hybridization chain reaction in situ hybridization, and qPCR to examine the extent to which cone gene expression can be altered by TH in adults. Our studies revealed that opsin gene expression, and the expression of other photoreceptor genes, remains plastic to TH treatment in adult zebrafish. In addition to retinal plasticity, exogenous TH treatment alters skin pigmentation patterns in adult zebrafish after 5 days. Taken together, our results show a remarkable level of TH-sensitive plasticity in the adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Farre
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA
| | - Preston Thomas
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Johnson Huang
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Spokane, WA, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel Owusu Poku
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA
| | - Deborah L Stenkamp
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA.
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6
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Ruthsatz K, Schwarz A, Gomez-Mestre I, Meyer R, Domscheit M, Bartels F, Schaeffer SM, Engelkes K. Life in plastic, it's not fantastic: Sublethal effects of polyethylene microplastics ingestion throughout amphibian metamorphosis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 885:163779. [PMID: 37146798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are an abundant, long-lasting, and widespread type of environmental pollution that is of increasing concern as it might pose a serious threat to ecosystems and species. However, these threats are still largely unknown for amphibians. Here, we used the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) as a model species to investigate whether polyethylene MP ingestion affects amphibian growth and development and leads to metabolic changes across two consecutive life stages (larvae and juveniles). Furthermore, we examined whether MP effects were more pronounced at higher rearing temperatures. Larval growth, development, and body condition were recorded, and standard metabolic rate (SMR) and levels of stress hormone (corticosterone, CORT) were measured. We determined variation in size, morphology, and hepatosomatic index in juveniles to identify any potential consequences of MP ingestion across metamorphosis. In both life stages, MP accumulation in the body was assessed. MP ingestion was found to result in sublethal effects on larval growth, development, and metabolism, to lead to allometric carry-over effects on juvenile morphology, and to accumulate in the specimens at both life stages. In larvae, SMR and developmental rate increased in response to MP ingestion; there additionally was a significant interaction of MP ingestion and temperature on development. CORT levels were higher in larvae that ingested MP, except at higher temperature. In juveniles, body was wider, and extremities were longer in animals exposed to MP during the larval stage; a high rearing temperature in combination with MP ingestion counteracted this effect. Our results provide first insights into the effects of MP on amphibians throughout metamorphosis and demonstrate that juvenile amphibians may act as a pathway for MP from freshwater to terrestrial environments. To allow for generalizations across amphibian species, future experiments need to consider the field prevalence and abundance of different MP in amphibians at various life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Anja Schwarz
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ivan Gomez-Mestre
- Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department Ecology and Evolution, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Ruth Meyer
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marie Domscheit
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fabian Bartels
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sarah-Maria Schaeffer
- Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Karolin Engelkes
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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7
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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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Raj S, Sifuentes CJ, Kyono Y, Denver RJ. Metamorphic gene regulation programs in Xenopus tropicalis tadpole brain. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287858. [PMID: 37384728 PMCID: PMC10310023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian metamorphosis is controlled by thyroid hormone (TH), which binds TH receptors (TRs) to regulate gene expression programs that underlie morphogenesis. Gene expression screens using tissues from premetamorphic tadpoles treated with TH identified some TH target genes, but few studies have analyzed genome-wide changes in gene regulation during spontaneous metamorphosis. We analyzed RNA sequencing data at four developmental stages from the beginning to the end of spontaneous metamorphosis, conducted on the neuroendocrine centers of Xenopus tropicalis tadpole brain. We also conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) for TRs, and we compared gene expression changes during metamorphosis with those induced by exogenous TH. The mRNA levels of 26% of protein coding genes changed during metamorphosis; about half were upregulated and half downregulated. Twenty four percent of genes whose mRNA levels changed during metamorphosis had TR ChIP-seq peaks. Genes involved with neural cell differentiation, cell physiology, synaptogenesis and cell-cell signaling were upregulated, while genes involved with cell cycle, protein synthesis, and neural stem/progenitor cell homeostasis were downregulated. There is a shift from building neural structures early in the metamorphic process, to the differentiation and maturation of neural cells and neural signaling pathways characteristic of the adult frog brain. Only half of the genes modulated by treatment of premetamorphic tadpoles with TH for 16 h changed expression during metamorphosis; these represented 33% of the genes whose mRNA levels changed during metamorphosis. Taken together, our results provide a foundation for understanding the molecular basis for metamorphosis of tadpole brain, and they highlight potential caveats for interpreting gene regulation changes in premetamorphic tadpoles induced by exogenous TH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samhitha Raj
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Sifuentes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yasuhiro Kyono
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Denver
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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Zhou W, Qin ZF, Li YY, Li JB, Shi YL, Dong MX, Li X, Zhang YJ, He YD. Methimazole and sodium perchlorate exert anti-thyroidal effects in the T3-induced Xenopus laevis metamorphosis assay: A rapid assay for screening thyroid disrupting chemicals. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 257:106431. [PMID: 36827831 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) have received much attention due to their potential adverse effects on animal and human health, which calls for rapid screen assays to identify them. The triiodothyronine (T3)-induced Xenopus metamorphosis assay (TiXMA) we developed previously has been successfully applied to the detection of the TDCs disrupting thyroid hormone (TH) signaling. Here, we attempted to expand the application of the TiXMA to the screening of the TDCs interfering with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Two well-known TH synthesis inhibitors methimazole (MMI) and sodium perchlorate (SP) were employed to test the sensitivity of the TiXMA to the TDCs interfering with the HPT axis. As expected, we observed that the two chemicals concentration-dependently antagonized T3-induced morphological changes and body weight reduction of X. laevis tadpoles following 96 h-exposure, in parallel with blocked thyroid development and down-regulated tshβ expression in the brain. All the data show that both MMI and SP exert inhibitory effects on T3-induced metamorphosis, indicating that the TiXMA is capable of screening the TDCs interfering with the HPT axis. In comparison with Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay (AMA), a 21-day assay for screening the TDCs interfering with the HPT axis, the TiXMA has a remarkable advantage of shorter exposure duration (96 h).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing,211816, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zhan-Fen Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jin-Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ya-Li Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Miao-Xin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing,211816, China
| | - Yong-Jun Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing,211816, China
| | - Yi-De He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing,211816, China.
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10
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Fort DJ, Todhunter KJ, Wolf JC, Long K, Poland CA, McGrath M, Baken S, Mackie C. Influence of systemic copper toxicity on early development and metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:431-445. [PMID: 36070670 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The primary objective of the present study was to examine the influence of early systemic toxicity resulting from copper (Cu) exposure on metamorphic processes in Xenopus laevis. A 28-day exposure study with copper, initiated at developmental stage 10, was performed using test concentrations of 3.0, 9.0, 27.2, 82.5, and 250 μg Cu/L. The primary endpoints included mortality, developmental stage, embryo-larval malformation, behavioral effects, hindlimb length (HLL), growth (snout-vent length [SVL] and wet body weight), and histopathology. The 28-day LC50 value with 95% confidence intervals was 61.2 (51.4-72.9) μg Cu/L with 250 μg Cu/L resulting in complete lethality. Developmental arrest in the 82.5 and delay in the 27.2 μg Cu/L treatments was observed as early as study day 10 continuing throughout the remainder of exposure. SVL-normalized HLL, body weight, and SVL in the 27.2 and 82.5 μg Cu/L treatments were significantly decreased relative to control. At 82.5 μg Cu/L, and thyroid gland size was markedly reduced when compared with controls consistent with the stage of developmental and growth arrest. Concentration-dependent findings in the intestine, liver, gills, eyes, and pharyngeal mucosa were consistent with non-endocrine systemic toxicity. These were prevalent in the 9.0 and 27.2 μg Cu/L treatment groups but were minimally evident or absent in the 82.5 μg/L group, which was attributed to developmental arrest. In conclusion, developmental delay in larvae exposed to 27.2 and 82.5 μg Cu/L was the result of systemic toxicity occurring in early development prior hypothalomo-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT)-driven metamorphosis and was not indicative of endocrine disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Fort
- Fort Environmental Laboratories, Inc., Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey C Wolf
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Sterling, Virginia, USA
| | - Kevin Long
- Regulatory Compliance Limited, Loanhead, Midlothian, UK
| | - Craig A Poland
- Regulatory Compliance Limited, Loanhead, Midlothian, UK.,Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Stijn Baken
- European Copper Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carol Mackie
- Regulatory Compliance Limited, Loanhead, Midlothian, UK
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11
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McGuire CC, Robert JR. Environmental endocrine disruptors and amphibian immunity: A bridge between the thyroid hormone axis and T cell development. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:104617. [PMID: 36529309 PMCID: PMC9892850 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunity is susceptible to reprogramming by environmental chemical and endocrine signals. Notably, numerous thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) have the potential to perturb immune endpoints, but data are lacking on the mechanisms by which TDCs can influence the development of the immune system. T cell immunity is particularly vulnerable to modulation by TDCs during thymic education, differentiation, and selection. The following review discusses the ways in which thyroid hormones may influence T cell development, as well as emerging TDCs with potential to impact both thyroid hormone physiology and immune outcomes. To overcome the challenges of studying TDC impacts on immune toxicological endpoints, a comparative approach using the amphibian Xenopus laevis is recommended. X. laevis are ideally suited to studying TDC impacts on immunity due to the importance of thyroid hormones for metamorphosis, and the wealth of immunological models to measure immune endpoints in both tadpoles and adult frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor C McGuire
- University of Rochester Department of Microbiology and Immunology, USA; University of Rochester Department Environmental Medicine, USA
| | - Jacques R Robert
- University of Rochester Department of Microbiology and Immunology, USA; University of Rochester Department Environmental Medicine, USA.
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12
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Suzuki M, Iida M, Hayashi T, Suzuki KIT. CRISPR-Cas9-Based Functional Analysis in Amphibians: Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, and Pleurodeles waltl. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2637:341-357. [PMID: 36773159 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3016-7_26] [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: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians have made many fundamental contributions to our knowledge, from basic biology to biomedical research on human diseases. Current genome editing tools based on the CRISPR-Cas system enable us to perform gene functional analysis in vivo, even in non-model organisms. We introduce here a highly efficient and easy protocol for gene knockout, which can be used in three different amphibians seamlessly: Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, and Pleurodeles waltl. As it utilizes Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) for injection, this cloning-free method enables researchers to obtain founder embryos with a nearly complete knockout phenotype within a week. To evaluate somatic mutation rate and its correlation to the phenotype of a Cas9 RNP-injected embryo (crispant), we also present accurate and cost-effective genotyping methods using pooled amplicon-sequencing and a user-friendly web-based tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Suzuki
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Midori Iida
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toshinori Hayashi
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Emerging Model Organisms Facility, Trans-scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
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13
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Brix KV, De Boeck G, Baken S, Fort DJ. Adverse Outcome Pathways for Chronic Copper Toxicity to Fish and Amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2911-2927. [PMID: 36148934 PMCID: PMC9828004 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In the present review, we synthesize information on the mechanisms of chronic copper (Cu) toxicity using an adverse outcome pathway framework and identify three primary pathways for chronic Cu toxicity: disruption of sodium homeostasis, effects on bioenergetics, and oxidative stress. Unlike acute Cu toxicity, disruption of sodium homeostasis is not a driving mechanism of chronic toxicity, but compensatory responses in this pathway contribute to effects on organism bioenergetics. Effects on bioenergetics clearly contribute to chronic Cu toxicity with impacts at multiple lower levels of biological organization. However, quantitatively translating these impacts into effects on apical endpoints such as growth, amphibian metamorphosis, and reproduction remains elusive and requires further study. Copper-induced oxidative stress occurs in most tissues of aquatic vertebrates and is clearly a significant driver of chronic Cu toxicity. Although antioxidant responses and capacities differ among tissues, there is no clear indication that specific tissues are more sensitive than others to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to increased apoptosis and cellular damage in multiple tissues, including some that contribute to bioenergetic effects. This also includes oxidative damage to tissues involved in neuroendocrine axes and this damage likely alters the normal function of these tissues. Importantly, Cu-induced changes in hormone concentrations and gene expression in endocrine-mediated pathways such as reproductive steroidogenesis and amphibian metamorphosis are likely the result of oxidative stress-induced tissue damage and not endocrine disruption. Overall, we conclude that oxidative stress is likely the primary driver of chronic Cu toxicity in aquatic vertebrates, with bioenergetic effects and compensatory response to disruption of sodium homeostasis contributing to some degree to observed effects on apical endpoints. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2911-2927. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin V. Brix
- EcoToxMiamiFloridaUSA
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences, Department of Marine Biology and EcologyUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
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14
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Paul B, Shewade LH, Buchholz DR. cyp21a2 Knockout Tadpoles Survive Metamorphosis Despite Low Corticosterone. Endocrinology 2022; 164:6775874. [PMID: 36301177 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Corticosteroids are so vital for organ maturation that reduced corticosteroid signaling during postembryonic development causes death in terrestrial vertebrates. Indeed, death occurs at metamorphosis in frogs lacking proopiomelanocortin (pomc) or the glucocorticoid receptor (GR; nr3c1). Some residual corticosteroids exist in pomc mutants to activate the wild-type (WT) GR and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and the elevated corticosteroids in GR mutants may activate MR. Thus, we expected a more severe developmental phenotype in tadpoles with inactivation of 21-hydroxylase, which should eliminate all interrenal corticosteroid biosynthesis. Using CRISPR/Cas9 in Xenopus tropicalis, we produced an 11-base pair deletion in cyp21a2, the gene encoding 21-hydroxylase. Growth and development were delayed in cyp21a2 mutant tadpoles, but unlike the other frog models, they survived metamorphosis. Consistent with an absence of 21-hydroxylase, mutant tadpoles had a 95% reduction of aldosterone in tail tissue, but they retained some corticosterone (∼40% of WT siblings), an amount, however, too low for survival in pomc mutants. Decreased corticosteroid signaling was evidenced by reduced expression of corticosteroid-response gene, klf9, and by impaired negative feedback in the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis with higher messenger RNA expression levels of crh, pomc, star, and cyp11b2 and an approximately 30-fold increase in tail content of progesterone. In vitro tail-tip culture showed that progesterone can transactivate the frog GR. The inadequate activation of GR by corticosterone in cyp21a2 mutants was likely compensated for by sufficient corticosteroid signaling from other GR ligands to allow survival through the developmental transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Leena H Shewade
- Biotherapeutics Division, Codexis Inc., San Carlos, CA 94070, USA
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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15
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Ruthsatz K, Domscheit M, Engelkes K, Vences M. Microplastics ingestion induces plasticity in digestive morphology in larvae of Xenopus laevis. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 269:111210. [PMID: 35398256 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Global changes in temperature, predator introductions, and pollution might challenge animals by altering food conditions. A fast-growing source of environmental pollution are microplastics. If ingested with the natural food source, microplastics act as artificial fibers that reduce food quality by decreasing nutrient and energy density with possible ramifications for growth and development. Animals might cope with altered food conditions with digestive plasticity. We examined experimentally whether larvae of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) exhibit digestive morphology plasticity (i.e., gut length, mass, and diameter) in response to microplastics ingestion. As natural systems contain non-digestible particles similar in size and shape to microplastics, we included cellulose as a natural fiber control group. Gut length and mass increased in response to microplastics and cellulose ingestion indicating that both types of fibers induced digestive plasticity. Body mass and body condition were similar across experimental groups, indicating that larvae fully compensated for low nutrient and energy density by developing longer intestines. The ability of a species to respond plastically to environmental variation, as X. laevis responded, indicates that this species might have the potential to cope with new conditions during global change, although it is uncertain whether this potential may be reduced in a multi-stressor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Marie Domscheit
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Karolin Engelkes
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany. https://twitter.com/KarolinEngelkes
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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16
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Wang H, Liu Y, Chai L, Wang H. Effects of nitrite exposure on metamorphosis and skeletal development of Bufo gargarizans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:51847-51859. [PMID: 35253106 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19468-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitrite, as a part of nitrogen cycle, is one of the most common toxic compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Since skeletal development is an essential process during amphibian metamorphosis, exposure of larval amphibians to nitrite might disrupt skeletal development. To evaluate whether nitrite affects skeletal development of amphibian larvae, Bufo gargarizans larvae at Gs26 were exposed to 10, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/L nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N) in the present study. The metamorphosis rate, body weight, body length, forelimb length and hindlimb length of B. gargarizans exposed to NO2-N were decreased. The microscopic structures of thyroid gland were altered under NO2-N exposure at Gs42. The skeletal lengths of the humerus, femur and fibulare of tadpole at Gs42 were significantly reduced under 100, 500 and 1000 μg/L NO2-N treatment groups, and the lengths of humerus, tibia-fibula and tibiale of tadpole at Gs46 were significantly reduced under 1000 μg/L NO2-N treatment groups. In addition, the expression levels of thyroid hormone (TH) and endochondral ossification-related genes of tadpoles at Gs42 and Gs46 were tested by qRT-PCR. Overall, NO2-N exposure could affect the expressions of these genes and then may influence the activity and function of thyroid gland, further disturbing the amphibian metamorphosis and skeletal development of amphibian larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemei Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yutian Liu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Lihong Chai
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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17
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Chen A, Deng H, Song X, Liu X, Chai L. Effects of Separate and Combined Exposure of Cadmium and Lead on the Endochondral Ossification in Bufo gargarizans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1228-1245. [PMID: 35040517 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and most studies have examined the potential effects of Cd or Pb alone on aquatic organisms. In the present study, chronic effects of Cd and Pb, alone and in combination, on Bufo gargarizans were investigated by exposing embryos to these contaminants throughout metamorphosis. Significant reductions in body mass and snout-to-vent length were observed in B. gargarizans at Gosner stage 42 (Gs 42) and Gs 46 exposed to a Cd/Pb mixture. Single and combined exposure with Cd and Pb induced histological alterations of the thyroid gland characterized by reduced colloid area and thickness of epithelial cells. There was a significant decrease in the maximum jump distance of froglets exposed to Cd alone and the Cd/Pb mixture, and the jumping capacity showed a positive correlation with hind limb length and tibia/fibula. Moreover, single metals and their mixture induced reduction of endochondral bone formation in B. gargarizans. Transcriptomic and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that genes involved in skeletal ossification (TRα, TRβ, Dio2, Dio3, MMP9, MMP13, Runx1, Runx2, and Runx3) were transcriptionally dysregulated by Cd and Pb exposure alone or in combination. Our results suggested that despite the low concentration tested, the Cd/Pb mixture induced more severe impacts on B. gargarizans. In addition, the Cd/Pb mixture might reduce chances of survival for B. gargarizans froglets by decreasing size at metamorphosis, impaired skeletal ossification, and reduction in jumping ability, which might result from dysregulation of genes involved in thyroid hormone action and endochondral ossification. The findings obtained could add a new dimension to understanding of the mechanisms underpinning skeletal ossification response to heavy metals in amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1228-1245. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixia Chen
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongzhang Deng
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiuling Song
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lihong Chai
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China
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18
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Liu Y, Wang H, Chai L, Li X, Wu M, Wang H. Effects of perchlorate and exogenous T4 exposures on development, metamorphosis and endochondral ossification in Bufo gargarizans larvae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 242:106036. [PMID: 34818595 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.106036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Several endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been proven to interfere with the physiological function of thyroid hormone (TH), which affected growth and development. However, few studies have investigated the effects of EDCs on TH axis with consequence for skeletal development in amphibians. This study thus examined the potential role of perchlorate and T4 in growth, development and endochondral ossification during metamorphosis of Bufo gargarizans. Our studies showed that NaClO₄ treatment caused weight gain and delayed the developmental stage in B. gargarizans tadpoles, while T4 decreased body size and survival rate, accelerated metamorphic duration and increased the risk of early death. Histological sections suggested that NaClO₄ and T4 treatments caused damages to thyroid tissue, such as decreased thyroid gland size, follicle size, colloid area, the height of follicular epithelial cells and the number of follicles. In addition, the double skeletal staining and RT-qPCR showed that NaClO₄ and T4 treatments inhibited the endochondral ossification by regulating TH synthesis (TRs, Dios) and endochondral ossification-related genes (MMPs, Runxs, VEGFs and VEGFRs) expression levels, which might affect terrestrial locomotion and terrestrial life. Altogether, these thyroid injury and gene expression changes as caused by NaClO₄ and T4 may have an influence on development and endochondral ossification during the metamorphosis of amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Liu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Hemei Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Lihong Chai
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710054, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Minyao Wu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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19
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Fabrezi M, Cruz JC. Phenotypic Variation Through Ontogeny: Thyroid Axis Disruption During Larval Development in the Frog Pleurodema borellii. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.715988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the effects of thyroid hormones on larval development in the frog Xenopus spp. have provided baseline information to identify developmental constraints and elucidate genetic and hormonal mechanisms driving development, growth, and life history transitions. However, this knowledge requires data based on other anurans to complete a comprehensive approach to the understanding of larval developmental diversity and phenotypic variation through ontogeny. Mesocosm experiments provide realistic data about environmental conditions and timing; this information is useful to describe anuran larval development and/or analyze endocrine disruption. In this study, mesocosm experiments of the larval development of the frog Pleurodema borellii were conducted to explore the consequences of thyroid axis disruption; the sensitivity of tadpoles to the methimazole (2.66 mg/l) and thyroxine (T4) (1.66 μg/l) was compared. These concentrations were selected based on previous studies in Pleurodema borellii. We test the effects of methimazole and thyroxine on development in early exposure (from beginning of larval development) and late exposure, 18 days after hatching, with doses administered every 48 h. Tadpoles were evaluated 31 days after hatching. Methimazole caused moderate hypertrophy of the thyroid gland, alteration in the growth rates, differentiation without inhibition of development, and an increase of developmental variability. Thyroxine produced slight atrophy of the thyroid gland, accelerated growth rates and differentiation, and minor developmental variability. In tadpoles at stages previous to metamorphose, skull development (differentiation of olfactory capsules, appearance of dermal bones, and cartilage remodeling) seemed to be unaltered by the disruptors. Moreover, similar abnormal morphogenesis converged in specimens under methimazole and thyroxine exposures. Abnormalities occurred in pelvic and pectoral girdles, and vent tube, and could have been originated at the time of differentiation of musculoskeletal tissues of girdles. Our results indicate that premetamorphic stages (Gosner Stages 25–35) are sensitive to minimal thyroid axis disruption, which produces changes in developmental rates; these stages would also be critical for appendicular musculoskeletal morphogenesis to achieve the optimal condition to start metamorphosis.
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20
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Rousseau K, Dufour S, Sachs LM. Interdependence of Thyroid and Corticosteroid Signaling in Vertebrate Developmental Transitions. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.735487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-embryonic acute developmental processes mainly allow the transition from one life stage in a specific ecological niche to the next life stage in a different ecological niche. Metamorphosis, an emblematic type of these post-embryonic developmental processes, has occurred repeatedly and independently in various phylogenetic groups throughout metazoan evolution, such as in cnidarian, insects, molluscs, tunicates, or vertebrates. This review will focus on metamorphoses and developmental transitions in vertebrates, including typical larval metamorphosis in anuran amphibians, larval and secondary metamorphoses in teleost fishes, egg hatching in sauropsids and birth in mammals. Two neuroendocrine axes, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, are central players in the regulation of these life transitions. The review will address the molecular and functional evolution of these axes and their interactions. Mechanisms of integration of internal and environmental cues, and activation of these neuroendocrine axes represent key questions in an “eco-evo-devo” perspective of metamorphosis. The roles played by developmental transitions in the innovation, adaptation, and plasticity of life cycles throughout vertebrates will be discussed. In the current context of global climate change and habitat destruction, the review will also address the impact of environmental factors, such as global warming and endocrine disruptors on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, and regulation of developmental transitions.
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21
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Ren C, Teng Y, Shen Y, Yao Q, Wang H. Altered temperature affect body condition and endochondral ossification in Bufo gargarizans tadpoles. J Therm Biol 2021; 99:103020. [PMID: 34420650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103020] [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: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bufo gargarizans is one kind of economic animals with higher medicinal value in China. In this study, B. gargarizans (Bufo gargarizans) tadpoles were reared at three different water temperature (15, 22 and 29 °C) from Gosner stages 28-46. We investigated the effects of temperature on growth, development, survival, metamorphic duration, size and skeletal ossification at Gosner stage 40, 42, and 46, as well as thyroid tissue reached metamorphic climax (Gs42). Besides, we examined the transcription levels of endochondral ossification-related genes in hind limb at metamorphic climax (Gs42). Our results showed that the growth and development of tadpoles conform to the temperature-size rule (TSR). While warm temperature resulted in the decrease in body size and hind limb length, and shorten larval period, cold temperature led to increase in body size and hind limb length but prolonged larval period. Histological examinations revealed that warm and cold temperatures caused damage to thyroid tissue. Also, warm and cold temperatures inhibited the degree of ossification with the double staining methodology. Additionally, the real-time PCR results suggested that warm and cold temperatures significantly up-regulated Runx2, VEGF and VEGFR mRNA levels, and down-regulated TRβ, MMP9, MMP13 and Runx3 mRNA levels. The up-regulation of Dio2 level and down-regulation of Dio3 level were observed in warm temperature. TRα mRNA level was significantly increased in warm temperature, but decreased in cold temperature. Collectively, these observations demonstrated that warm and cold temperatures affected endochondral ossification in B. gargarizans tadpoles, which might influence their capacity to terrestrial locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaolu Ren
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Yiran Teng
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Yujia Shen
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Qiong Yao
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.
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22
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McGuire CC, Lawrence BP, Robert J. Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals in Mixture Perturb Thymocyte Differentiation in Xenopus laevis Tadpoles. Toxicol Sci 2021; 181:262-272. [PMID: 33681995 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab029] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can perturb the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis affecting human and wildlife health. Thyroid hormones (TH) are crucial regulators of metabolism, growth, and differentiation. The perinatal stage is most reliant on TH, thus vulnerable to TH disrupting chemicals. Dysregulation of TH signaling during perinatal development can weaken T cell function in maturity, raising the question of whether TH disrupting chemicals can perturb thymocyte development. Using Xenopus laevis tadpoles as model, we determined TH disrupting effects and thymocyte alterations following exposure to a mixture of common waterborne TH disrupting chemicals at concentrations similar to those found in contaminated water. This mixture included naphthalene, ethylene glycol, ethoxylated nonylphenol, and octylphenol, which have documented TH disrupting activity. Besides hypertrophy-like pathology in the thyroid gland and delayed metamorphosis, exposure to the mixture antagonized TH receptor-induced transcription of the Krüppel-like factor 9 transcription factor and significantly raised thyroid-stimulating hormone gene expression in the brain, two genes that modulate thymocyte differentiation. Importantly, exposure to this mixture reduced the number of Xenopus immature cortical thymocyte-specific-antigen (CTX+) and mature CD8+ thymocytes, whereas co-exposure with exogenous TH (T3) abolished the effect. When each chemical of the mixture was individually tested, only ethylene glycol induced significant antagonist effects on brain, thymic gene expression, and CD8+ thymocytes. These results suggest that EDCs in mixture are more potent than each chemical alone to perturb thymocyte development through TH-dependent pathway, and provide a starting point to research TH influence on thymocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor C McGuire
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462.,Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462.,Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462
| | - Jacques Robert
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462.,Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 1462
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23
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Aman AJ, Kim M, Saunders LM, Parichy DM. Thyroid hormone regulates abrupt skin morphogenesis during zebrafish postembryonic development. Dev Biol 2021; 477:205-218. [PMID: 34089732 PMCID: PMC10069294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone is a key regulator of post-embryonic vertebrate development. Skin is a biomedically important thyroid hormone target organ, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying skin pathologies associated with thyroid dysfunction remain obscure. The transparent skin of zebrafish is an accessible model system for studying vertebrate skin development. During post-embryonic development of the zebrafish, scales emerge in the skin from a hexagonally patterned array of dermal papillae, like other vertebrate skin appendages such as feathers and hair follicles. We show here that thyroid hormone regulates the rate of post-embryonic dermal development through interaction with nuclear hormone receptors. This couples skin development with body growth to generate a well ordered array of correctly proportioned scales. This work extends our knowledge of thyroid hormone actions on skin by providing in-vivo evidence that thyroid hormone regulates multiple aspects of dermal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Aman
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Margaret Kim
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Lauren M Saunders
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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24
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Denver RJ. Stress hormones mediate developmental plasticity in vertebrates with complex life cycles. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100301. [PMID: 33614863 PMCID: PMC7879041 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The environment experienced by developing organisms can shape the timing and character of developmental processes, generating different phenotypes from the same genotype, each with different probabilities of survival and performance as adults. Chordates have two basic modes of development, indirect and direct. Species with indirect development, which includes most fishes and amphibians, have a complex life cycle with a free-swimming larva that is typically a growth stage, followed by a metamorphosis into the adult form. Species with direct development, which is an evolutionarily derived developmental mode, develop directly from embryo to the juvenile without an intervening larval stage. Among the best studied species with complex life cycles are the amphibians, especially the anurans (frogs and toads). Amphibian tadpoles are exposed to diverse biotic and abiotic factors in their developmental habitat. They have extensive capacity for developmental plasticity, which can lead to the expression of different, adaptive morphologies as tadpoles (polyphenism), variation in the timing of and size at metamorphosis, and carry-over effects on the phenotype of the juvenile/adult. The neuroendocrine stress axis plays a pivotal role in mediating environmental effects on amphibian development. Before initiating metamorphosis, if tadpoles are exposed to predators they upregulate production of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), which acts directly on the tail to cause it to grow, thereby increasing escape performance. When tadpoles reach a minimum body size to initiate metamorphosis they can vary the timing of transformation in relation to growth opportunity or mortality risk in the larval habitat. They do this by modulating the production of thyroid hormone (TH), the primary inducer of metamorphosis, and CORT, which synergizes with TH to promote tissue transformation. Hypophysiotropic neurons that release the stress neurohormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are activated in response to environmental stress (e.g., pond drying, food restriction, etc.), and CRF accelerates metamorphosis by directly inducing secretion of pituitary thyrotropin and corticotropin, thereby increasing secretion of TH and CORT. Although activation of the neuroendocrine stress axis promotes immediate survival in a deteriorating larval habitat, costs may be incurred such as reduced tadpole growth and size at metamorphosis. Small size at transformation can impair performance of the adult, reducing probability of survival in the terrestrial habitat, or fecundity. Furthermore, elevations in CORT in the tadpole caused by environmental stressors cause long term, stable changes in neuroendocrine function, behavior and physiology of the adult, which can affect fitness. Comparative studies show that the roles of stress hormones in developmental plasticity are conserved across vertebrate taxa including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Denver
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1085, USA
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25
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Araújo MJ, Quintaneiro C, Soares AMVM, Monteiro MS. Effects of ultraviolet radiation to Solea senegalensis during early development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142899. [PMID: 33127138 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reaching the Earth surface is increasing and scarce information is available regarding effects of this stressor to early life stages of marine vertebrates. Therefore, this work aims to study the effects of UVR exposure during early development stages of the flatfish Solea senegalensis. Firstly, fish were exposed to UVR (six daily doses between 3.4 ± 0.08 and 8.6 ± 0.14 kJ m-2) at the following moments: gastrula stage (24 h post fertilization, hpf), 1 and 2 days after hatching (dah, 48 and 72 hpf, respectively). In a second bioassay, fish at the beginning of metamorphosis were exposed to UVR (one or two daily doses of 7.2 ± 0.39 or 11.1 ± 0.49 kJ m-2) and then maintained until the end of metamorphosis. Mortality and effects on development, growth and behaviour were evaluated at the end of both bioassays (3 dah and 18 dah, respectively). Biomarkers of neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), oxidative stress (catalase, CAT) and biotransformation (glutathione S-transferase, GST) were also determined at the end of the early larvae bioassay, and metamorphosis progression was evaluated during the second bioassay. UVR exposure caused distinct effects depending on life stage. Altered pigmentation, decreased growth, impaired fish behaviour and AChE and GST inhibition were observed at the earlier larval phase. Whereas, decrease in growth was the main effect observed at the metamorphosis stage. In summary, the exposure of S. senegalensis early stages to environmentally relevant UVR doses led to adverse responses at different levels of biological organization, which might lead to implications in later life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mário J Araújo
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Carla Quintaneiro
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta S Monteiro
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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26
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Kikuyama S, Hasunuma I, Okada R. Development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in amphibians with special reference to metamorphosis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 524:111143. [PMID: 33385474 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this review article, topics of the embryonic origin of the adenohypophysis and hypothalamus and the development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system for the completion of metamorphosis in amphibians are included. The primordium of the adenohypophysis as well as the primordium of the hypothalamus in amphibians is of neural origin as shown in other vertebrates, and both are closely associated with each other at the earliest stage of development. Metamorphosis progresses via the interaction of thyroid hormone and adrenal corticosteroids, of which secretion is enhanced by thyrotropin and corticotropin, respectively. However, unlike in mammals, the hypothalamic releasing factor for thyrotropin is not thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), but corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the major releasing factor for corticotropin is arginine vasotocin (AVT). Prolactin, the release of which is profoundly enhanced by TRH at the metamorphic climax, is another pituitary hormone involved in metamorphosis. Prolactin has a dual role: modulation of the metamorphic speed and the development of organs for adult life. The secretory activities of the pituitary cells containing the three above-mentioned pituitary hormones are elevated toward the metamorphic climax in parallel with the activities of the CRF, AVT, and TRH neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakae Kikuyama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education and Integrated Sciences, Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, 162-8480, Japan
| | - Itaru Hasunuma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Reiko Okada
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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27
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Exner CRT, Willsey HR. Xenopus leads the way: Frogs as a pioneering model to understand the human brain. Genesis 2021; 59:e23405. [PMID: 33369095 PMCID: PMC8130472 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
From its long history in the field of embryology to its recent advances in genetics, Xenopus has been an indispensable model for understanding the human brain. Foundational studies that gave us our first insights into major embryonic patterning events serve as a crucial backdrop for newer avenues of investigation into organogenesis and organ function. The vast array of tools available in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis allows interrogation of developmental phenomena at all levels, from the molecular to the behavioral, and the application of CRISPR technology has enabled the investigation of human disorder risk genes in a higher-throughput manner. As the only major tetrapod model in which all developmental stages are easily manipulated and observed, frogs provide the unique opportunity to study organ development from the earliest stages. All of these features make Xenopus a premier model for studying the development of the brain, a notoriously complex process that demands an understanding of all stages from fertilization to organogenesis and beyond. Importantly, core processes of brain development are conserved between Xenopus and human, underlining the advantages of this model. This review begins by summarizing discoveries made in amphibians that form the cornerstones of vertebrate neurodevelopmental biology and goes on to discuss recent advances that have catapulted our understanding of brain development in Xenopus and in relation to human development and disease. As we engage in a new era of patient-driven gene discovery, Xenopus offers exceptional potential to uncover conserved biology underlying human brain disorders and move towards rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R T Exner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA
| | - Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA
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28
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Gao J, Shen W. Xenopus in revealing developmental toxicity and modeling human diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115809. [PMID: 33096388 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Xenopus model offers many advantages for investigation of the molecular, cellular, and behavioral mechanisms underlying embryo development. Moreover, Xenopus oocytes and embryos have been extensively used to study developmental toxicity and human diseases in response to various environmental chemicals. This review first summarizes recent advances in using Xenopus as a vertebrate model to study distinct types of tissue/organ development following exposure to environmental toxicants, chemical reagents, and pharmaceutical drugs. Then, the successful use of Xenopus as a model for diseases, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, autism, epilepsy, and cardiovascular disease, is reviewed. The potential application of Xenopus in genetic and chemical screening to protect against embryo deficits induced by chemical toxicants and related diseases is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanmei Gao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; College of Life and Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Wanhua Shen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
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29
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Shewade LH, Schoephoerster JA, Patmann MD, Kulkarni SS, Buchholz DR. Corticosterone Is Essential for Survival Through Frog Metamorphosis. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5938994. [PMID: 33099610 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) is required for frog metamorphosis, and corticosterone (CORT) increases TH signaling to accelerate metamorphic progression. However, a requirement for CORT in metamorphosis has been difficult to assess prior to the recent development of gene-editing technologies. We addressed this long-standing question using transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) gene disruption to knock out proopiomelanocortin (pomc) and disrupt CORT production in Xenopus tropicalis. As expected, mutant tadpoles had a reduced peak of plasma CORT at metamorphosis with correspondingly reduced expression of the CORT-response gene Usher syndrome type-1G (ush1g). Mutants had reduced rates of growth and development and exhibited lower expression levels of 2 TH response genes, Krüppel-like factor 9 (klf9) and TH receptor β (thrb). In response to exogenous TH, mutants had reduced TH response gene induction and slower morphological change. Importantly, death invariably occurred during tail resorption, unless rescued by exogenous CORT and, remarkably, by exogenous TH. The ability of exogenous TH by itself to overcome death in pomc mutants indicates that the CORT-dependent increase in TH signaling may ensure functional organ transformation required for survival through metamorphosis and/or may shorten the nonfeeding metamorphic transition to avoid lethal inanition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena H Shewade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Matthew D Patmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Saurabh S Kulkarni
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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30
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Raj S, Kyono Y, Sifuentes CJ, Arellanes-Licea EDC, Subramani A, Denver RJ. Thyroid Hormone Induces DNA Demethylation in Xenopus Tadpole Brain. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa155. [PMID: 32865566 PMCID: PMC7947600 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (T3) plays pivotal roles in vertebrate development, acting via nuclear T3 receptors (TRs) that regulate gene transcription by promoting post-translational modifications to histones. Methylation of cytosine residues in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) also modulates gene transcription, and our recent finding of predominant DNA demethylation in the brain of Xenopus tadpoles at metamorphosis, a T3-dependent developmental process, caused us to hypothesize that T3 induces these changes in vivo. Treatment of premetamorphic tadpoles with T3 for 24 or 48 hours increased immunoreactivity in several brain regions for the DNA demethylation intermediates 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) and 5-carboxylcytosine, and the methylcytosine dioxygenase ten-eleven translocation 3 (TET3). Thyroid hormone treatment induced locus-specific DNA demethylation in proximity to known T3 response elements within the DNA methyltransferase 3a and Krüppel-like factor 9 genes, analyzed by 5-hmC immunoprecipitation and methylation sensitive restriction enzyme digest. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that T3 induced TET3 recruitment to these loci. Furthermore, the messenger ribonucleic acid for several genes encoding DNA demethylation enzymes were induced by T3 in a time-dependent manner in tadpole brain. A TR ChIP-sequencing experiment identified putative TR binding sites at several of these genes, and we provide multiple lines of evidence to support that tet2 contains a bona fide T3 response element. Our findings show that T3 can promote DNA demethylation in developing tadpole brain, in part by promoting TET3 recruitment to discrete genomic regions, and by inducing genes that encode DNA demethylation enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samhitha Raj
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yasuhiro Kyono
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Christopher J Sifuentes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Arasakumar Subramani
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Robert J Denver
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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31
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Cruz JC. Histo‐morphology of the thyroid gland during the larval development of
Pleurodema borellii
(Anura, Leptodactylidae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Cruz
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA CCT CONICET Salta‐Jujuy Salta Argentina
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32
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Trudeau VL, Thomson P, Zhang WS, Reynaud S, Navarro-Martin L, Langlois VS. Agrochemicals disrupt multiple endocrine axes in amphibians. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 513:110861. [PMID: 32450283 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Concern over global amphibian declines and possible links to agrochemical use has led to research on the endocrine disrupting actions of agrochemicals, such as fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, metals, and mixtures. Amphibians, like other species, have to partition resources for body maintenance, growth, and reproduction. Recent studies suggest that metabolic impairments induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals, and more particularly agrichemicals, may disrupt physiological constraints associated with these limited resources and could cause deleterious effects on growth and reproduction. Metabolic disruption has hardly been considered for amphibian species following agrichemical exposure. As for metamorphosis, the key thyroid hormone-dependent developmental phase for amphibians, it can either be advanced or delayed by agrichemicals with consequences for juvenile and adult health and survival. While numerous agrichemicals affect anuran sexual development, including sex reversal and intersex in several species, little is known about the mechanisms involved in dysregulation of the sex differentiation processes. Adult anurans display stereotypical male mating calls and female phonotaxis responses leading to successful amplexus and spawning. These are hormone-dependent behaviours at the foundation of reproductive success. Therefore, male vocalizations are highly ecologically-relevant and may be a non-invasive low-cost method for the assessment of endocrine disruption at the population level. While it is clear that agrochemicals disrupt multiple endocrine systems in frogs, very little has been uncovered regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms at the basis of these actions. This is surprising, given the importance of the frog models to our deep understanding of developmental biology and thyroid hormone action to understand human health. Several agrochemicals were found to have multiple endocrine effects at once (e.g., targeting both the thyroid and gonadal axes); therefore, the assessment of agrochemicals that alter cross-talk between hormonal systems must be further addressed. Given the diversity of life-history traits in Anura, Caudata, and the Gymnophiona, it is essential that studies on endocrine disruption expand to include the lesser known taxa. Research under ecologically-relevant conditions will also be paramount. Closer collaboration between molecular and cellular endocrinologists and ecotoxicologists and ecologists is thus recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vance L Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Paisley Thomson
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 de la Couronne, Québec (Québec), G1K 9A9, Canada.
| | - Wo Su Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Stéphane Reynaud
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, UMR UGA-USMB-CNRS 5553, Université Grenoble Alpes, CS 40700, 38058, Grenoble cedex 9, France.
| | - Laia Navarro-Martin
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Valérie S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 de la Couronne, Québec (Québec), G1K 9A9, Canada.
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33
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Kyono Y, Raj S, Sifuentes CJ, Buisine N, Sachs L, Denver RJ. DNA methylation dynamics underlie metamorphic gene regulation programs in Xenopus tadpole brain. Dev Biol 2020; 462:180-196. [PMID: 32240642 PMCID: PMC7251973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of cytosine residues in DNA influences chromatin structure and gene transcription, and its regulation is crucial for brain development. There is mounting evidence that DNA methylation can be modulated by hormone signaling. We analyzed genome-wide changes in DNA methylation and their relationship to gene regulation in the brain of Xenopus tadpoles during metamorphosis, a thyroid hormone-dependent developmental process. We studied the region of the tadpole brain containing neurosecretory neurons that control pituitary hormone secretion, a region that is highly responsive to thyroid hormone action. Using Methylated DNA Capture sequencing (MethylCap-seq) we discovered a diverse landscape of DNA methylation across the tadpole neural cell genome, and pairwise stage comparisons identified several thousand differentially methylated regions (DMRs). During the pre-to pro-metamorphic period, the number of DMRs was lowest (1,163), with demethylation predominating. From pre-metamorphosis to metamorphic climax DMRs nearly doubled (2,204), with methylation predominating. The largest changes in DNA methylation were seen from metamorphic climax to the completion of metamorphosis (2960 DMRs), with 80% of the DMRs representing demethylation. Using RNA sequencing, we found negative correlations between differentially expressed genes and DMRs localized to gene bodies and regions upstream of transcription start sites. DNA demethylation at metamorphosis revealed by MethylCap-seq was corroborated by increased immunoreactivity for the DNA demethylation intermediates 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-carboxymethylcytosine, and the methylcytosine dioxygenase ten eleven translocation 3 that catalyzes DNA demethylation. Our findings show that the genome of tadpole neural cells undergoes significant changes in DNA methylation during metamorphosis, and these changes likely influence chromatin architecture, and gene regulation programs occurring during this developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kyono
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Samhitha Raj
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Christopher J Sifuentes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Nicolas Buisine
- UMR-7221, Centre National de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Sachs
- UMR-7221, Centre National de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Robert J Denver
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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34
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Ruthsatz K, Dausmann KH, Drees C, Becker LI, Hartmann L, Reese J, Reinhardt S, Robinson T, Sabatino NM, Peck MA, Glos J. Altered thyroid hormone levels affect the capacity for temperature-induced developmental plasticity in larvae of Rana temporaria and Xenopus laevis. J Therm Biol 2020; 90:102599. [PMID: 32479394 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Anuran larvae show phenotypic plasticity in age and size at metamorphosis as a response to temperature variation. The capacity for temperature-induced developmental plasticity is determined by the thermal adaptation of a population. Multiple factors such as physiological responses to changing environmental conditions, however, might influence this capacity as well. In anuran larvae, thyroid hormone (TH) levels control growth and developmental rate and changes in TH status are a well-known stress response to sub-optimal environmental conditions. We investigated how chemically altered TH levels affect the capacity to exhibit temperature-induced developmental plasticity in larvae of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and the common frog (Rana temporaria). In both species, TH level influenced growth and developmental rate and modified the capacity for temperature-induced developmental plasticity. High TH levels reduced thermal sensitivity of metamorphic traits up to 57% (R. temporaria) and 36% (X. laevis). Rates of growth and development were more plastic in response to temperature in X. laevis (+30%) than in R. temporaria (+6%). Plasticity in rates of growth and development is beneficial to larvae in heterogeneous habitats as it allows a more rapid transition into the juvenile stage where rates of mortality are lower. Therefore, environmental stressors that increase endogenous TH levels and reduce temperature-dependent plasticity may increase risks and the vulnerability of anuran larvae. As TH status also influences metabolism, future studies should investigate whether reductions in physiological plasticity also increases the vulnerability of tadpoles to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kathrin H Dausmann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Claudia Drees
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Laura I Becker
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Lisa Hartmann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Janica Reese
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Steffen Reinhardt
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Tom Robinson
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Nikita M Sabatino
- Department of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Myron A Peck
- Institute of Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg, Große Elbstrasse 133, 22767 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julian Glos
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
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35
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Li YF, Cheng YL, Chen K, Cheng ZY, Zhu X, C R Cardoso J, Liang X, Zhu YT, Power DM, Yang JL. Thyroid hormone receptor: A new player in epinephrine-induced larval metamorphosis of the hard-shelled mussel. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 287:113347. [PMID: 31794730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Many marine invertebrate larvae undergo a dramatic morphological and physiological transition from a planktonic larva to a benthic juvenile. The mechanisms of this metamorphosis in bivalves are mainly unknown. The recent identification in bivalves of a thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene raises the possibility that as occurs in vertebrate metamorphosis, TRs regulate this developmental process. An evolutionary study of TR receptors revealed they are ubiquitous in the molluscs. Knock-down of the TR gene in pediveliger larvae of the hard-shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus (Mc), using electroporation of siRNA significantly (p < 0.01) reduced TR gene expression. TR gene knock-down decreased pediveliger larval metamorphosis by 54% and was associated with a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in viability compared to control larvae. The TR in the hard-shelled mussel appears to be an essential regulatory factor for the successful epinephrine-induced metamorphosis of the pediveliger larvae to post-larvae. It is hypothesised that the knock-down of TR by siRNA transfection affects the "competence" of pediveliger larvae for the metamorphic transition by reducing their ability to respond to the inducer. The involvement of TR in the epinephrine-induced metamorphosis of a mollusc, the hard-shelled mussel, suggests the role of TR in this process probably emerged early during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Feng Li
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Lan Cheng
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Chen
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Yang Cheng
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - João C R Cardoso
- Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Xiao Liang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - You-Ting Zhu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Deborah M Power
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Jin-Long Yang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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Ontogeny of the anuran urostyle and the developmental context of evolutionary novelty. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:3034-3044. [PMID: 31988131 PMCID: PMC7022158 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917506117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion of caudal vertebrae has evolved multiple times independently: the pygostyle of birds, coccyx in apes and humans, ural plate of fish, and the urostyle of frogs. The anuran urostyle, however, is structurally and developmentally distinct because of the contribution of an ossifying hypochord. To date, the developmental mechanisms behind an ossifying hypochord have remained obscure. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the development of this evolutionary innovative structure and of how neuromusculature, cell death, and proliferation paved their way to facilitate its formation. Finally, we propose that the ossifying hypochord plays a role in tail loss in anurans and reorganizing the dorsal aorta and thus is pivotal in the evolution of the anuran bauplan. Developmental novelties often underlie the evolutionary origins of key metazoan features. The anuran urostyle, which evolved nearly 200 MYA, is one such structure. It forms as the tail regresses during metamorphosis, when locomotion changes from an axial-driven mode in larvae to a limb-driven one in adult frogs. The urostyle comprises of a coccyx and a hypochord. The coccyx forms by fusion of caudal vertebrae and has evolved repeatedly across vertebrates. However, the contribution of an ossifying hypochord to the coccyx in anurans is unique among vertebrates and remains a developmental enigma. Here, we focus on the developmental changes that lead to the anuran urostyle, with an emphasis on understanding the ossifying hypochord. We find that the coccyx and hypochord have two different developmental histories: First, the development of the coccyx initiates before metamorphic climax whereas the ossifying hypochord undergoes rapid ossification and hypertrophy; second, thyroid hormone directly affects hypochord formation and appears to have a secondary effect on the coccygeal portion of the urostyle. The embryonic hypochord is known to play a significant role in the positioning of the dorsal aorta (DA), but the reason for hypochordal ossification remains obscure. Our results suggest that the ossifying hypochord plays a role in remodeling the DA in the newly forming adult body by partially occluding the DA in the tail. We propose that the ossifying hypochord-induced loss of the tail during metamorphosis has enabled the evolution of the unique anuran bauplan.
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Kikuyama S, Okada R, Hasunuma I, Nakada T. Some aspects of the hypothalamic and pituitary development, metamorphosis, and reproductive behavior as studied in amphibians. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 284:113212. [PMID: 31238076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In this review article, information about the development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis, endocrine control of metamorphosis, and hormonal and pheromonal involvements in reproductive behavior in some amphibian species is assembled from the works conducted mainly by our research group. The hypothalamic and pituitary development was studied using Bufo embryos and larvae. The primordium of the epithelial hypophysis originates at the anterior neural ridge and migrates underneath the brain to form a Rathke's pouch-like structure. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis develops under the influence of thyroid hormone (TH). For the morphological and functional development of the median eminence, which is a key structure in the transport of regulatory hormones to the pituitary, contact of the adenohypophysis with the undeveloped median eminence is necessary. For the development of proopiomelanocortin-producing cells, contact of the pituitary primordium with the infundibulum is required. The significance of avascularization in terms of the function of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary was evidenced with transgenic Xenopus frogs expressing a vascular endothelial growth factor in melanotropes. Metamorphosis progresses via the interaction of TH, adrenal corticosteroids, and prolactin (PRL). We emphasize that PRL has a dual role: modulation of the speed of metamorphic changes and functional development of organs for adult life. A brief description about a novel type of PRL (1B) that was detected was made. A possible reason why the main hypothalamic factor that stimulates the release of thyrotropin is not thyrotropin-releasing hormone, but corticotropin-releasing factor is considered in light of the fact that amphibians are poikilotherms. As regards the reproductive behavior in amphibians, studies were focused on the courtship behavior of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Male newts exhibit a unique courtship behavior toward sexually developed conspecific females. Hormonal interactions eliciting this behavior and hormonal control of the courtship pheromone secretion are discussed on the basis of our experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakae Kikuyama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education and Integrated Sciences, Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
| | - Reiko Okada
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Itaru Hasunuma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nakada
- Department of Comparative and Behavioral Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
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Fabrezi M, Lozano VL, Cruz JC. Differences in responsiveness and sensitivity to exogenous disruptors of the thyroid gland in three anuran species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2019; 332:279-293. [PMID: 31613429 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Anuran larval development comprises tissues/organs/systems that are: exclusively of larvae, able to be remodelled, and those of postmetamorphic stages. Also, the anuran larval development is characterized by inter-related parameters: time, size and shape forming part of growth and differentiation. The anuran metamorphosis starts when growth and differentiation achieve a threshold that differs among species since it is regulated by a number of external (environmental) and internal (hormonal) processes. Here we explore the consequences of exogenous disruptors on the thyroid gland (e.g., methimazole and thyroxine as T4) of three species by immersing premetamorphic tadpoles in predetermined concentrations of the disruptors for short periods (10 or 16 days). The species were Pleurodema borellii, Leptodactylus chaquensis, and Dermatonotus muelleri, which all breed in small temporary ponds during the summer, but differ in their ecomorphology. The experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of these substances on larval development (based in Gosner larval stages), morphometric variation in body parameters (snout-vent and total length by larval stages), and thyroid gland histopathology at the end of the assays. In P. borelli and L. chaquensis, methimazole produces significant increment of size measurements (nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis, p < .05) during stages of digit differentiation and induced thyroid gland hypertrophy. In the three species, T4 exposure accelerated limb development and caused atrophy of thyroid gland. Prolonged T4 exposure in L. chaquensis and D. muelleri triggered metamorphic transformation in the gut and skull cartilages. Discussion about interspecific differences in responsiveness and sensitivity elucidates the importance of hormonal signals to morphological evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Fabrezi
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, CCT CONICET Salta-Jujuy, Salta, República Argentina
| | - Verónica Laura Lozano
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, CCT CONICET Salta-Jujuy, Salta, República Argentina.,Depto. Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales and Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA) CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julio César Cruz
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, CCT CONICET Salta-Jujuy, Salta, República Argentina
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Mourouzis I, Lavecchia AM, Xinaris C. Thyroid Hormone Signalling: From the Dawn of Life to the Bedside. J Mol Evol 2019; 88:88-103. [PMID: 31451837 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-019-09908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) signalling is a key modulator of fundamental biological processes that has been evolutionarily conserved in both vertebrate and invertebrate species. TH may have initially emerged as a nutrient signal to convey environmental information to organisms to induce morpho-anatomical changes that could maximise the exploitation of environmental resources, and eventually integrated into the machinery of gene regulation and energy production to become a key regulator of development and metabolism. As such, TH signalling is particularly sensitive to environmental stimuli, and its alterations result in fundamental changes in homeostasis and physiology. Stressful stimuli of various origins lead to changes in the TH-TH receptor (TR) axis in different adult mammalian organs that are associated with phenotypical changes in terminally differentiated cells, the reactivation of foetal development programmes, structural remodelling and pathological growth. Here, we discuss the evolution of TH signalling, review evolutionarily conserved functions of THs in essential biological processes, such as metamorphosis and perinatal development, and analyse the role of TH signalling in the phenotypical and morphological changes that occur after injury, repair and regeneration in adult mammalian organs. Finally, we examine the potential of TH treatment as a therapeutic strategy for improving organ structure and functions following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iordanis Mourouzis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Ave., Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelo Michele Lavecchia
- Laboratory of Organ Regeneration, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, 24126, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Christodoulos Xinaris
- Laboratory of Organ Regeneration, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, 24126, Bergamo, Italy. .,University of Nicosia Medical School, 93 Agiou Nikolaou Street, Engomi, 2408, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Thambirajah AA, Koide EM, Imbery JJ, Helbing CC. Contaminant and Environmental Influences on Thyroid Hormone Action in Amphibian Metamorphosis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:276. [PMID: 31156547 PMCID: PMC6530347 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquatic and terrestrial environments are increasingly contaminated by anthropogenic sources that include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial and agricultural chemicals (i. e., pesticides). Many of these substances have the potential to disrupt endocrine function, yet their effect on thyroid hormone (TH) action has garnered relatively little attention. Anuran postembryonic metamorphosis is strictly dependent on TH and perturbation of this process can serve as a sensitive barometer for the detection and mechanistic elucidation of TH disrupting activities of chemical contaminants and their complex mixtures. The ecological threats posed by these contaminants are further exacerbated by changing environmental conditions such as temperature, photoperiod, pond drying, food restriction, and ultraviolet radiation. We review the current knowledge of several chemical and environmental factors that disrupt TH-dependent metamorphosis in amphibian tadpoles as assessed by morphological, thyroid histology, behavioral, and molecular endpoints. Although the molecular mechanisms for TH disruption have yet to be determined for many chemical and environmental factors, several affect TH synthesis, transport or metabolism with subsequent downstream effects. As molecular dysfunction typically precedes phenotypic or histological pathologies, sensitive assays that detect changes in transcript, protein, or metabolite abundance are indispensable for the timely detection of TH disruption. The emergence and application of 'omics techniques-genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics-on metamorphosing tadpoles are powerful emerging assets for the rapid, proxy assessment of toxicant or environmental damage for all vertebrates including humans. Moreover, these highly informative 'omics techniques will complement morphological, behavioral, and histological assessments, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of how TH-dependent signal disruption is propagated by environmental contaminants and factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Caren C. Helbing
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Nenni MJ, Fisher ME, James-Zorn C, Pells TJ, Ponferrada V, Chu S, Fortriede JD, Burns KA, Wang Y, Lotay VS, Wang DZ, Segerdell E, Chaturvedi P, Karimi K, Vize PD, Zorn AM. Xenbase: Facilitating the Use of Xenopus to Model Human Disease. Front Physiol 2019; 10:154. [PMID: 30863320 PMCID: PMC6399412 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
At a fundamental level most genes, signaling pathways, biological functions and organ systems are highly conserved between man and all vertebrate species. Leveraging this conservation, researchers are increasingly using the experimental advantages of the amphibian Xenopus to model human disease. The online Xenopus resource, Xenbase, enables human disease modeling by curating the Xenopus literature published in PubMed and integrating these Xenopus data with orthologous human genes, anatomy, and more recently with links to the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man resource (OMIM) and the Human Disease Ontology (DO). Here we review how Xenbase supports disease modeling and report on a meta-analysis of the published Xenopus research providing an overview of the different types of diseases being modeled in Xenopus and the variety of experimental approaches being used. Text mining of over 50,000 Xenopus research articles imported into Xenbase from PubMed identified approximately 1,000 putative disease- modeling articles. These articles were manually assessed and annotated with disease ontologies, which were then used to classify papers based on disease type. We found that Xenopus is being used to study a diverse array of disease with three main experimental approaches: cell-free egg extracts to study fundamental aspects of cellular and molecular biology, oocytes to study ion transport and channel physiology and embryo experiments focused on congenital diseases. We integrated these data into Xenbase Disease Pages to allow easy navigation to disease information on external databases. Results of this analysis will equip Xenopus researchers with a suite of experimental approaches available to model or dissect a pathological process. Ideally clinicians and basic researchers will use this information to foster collaborations necessary to interrogate the development and treatment of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mardi J Nenni
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Malcolm E Fisher
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Christina James-Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Troy J Pells
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Virgilio Ponferrada
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Stanley Chu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Joshua D Fortriede
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kevin A Burns
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Vaneet S Lotay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dong Zhou Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Erik Segerdell
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Praneet Chaturvedi
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kamran Karimi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter D Vize
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Vancamp P, Darras VM. From zebrafish to human: A comparative approach to elucidate the role of the thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 during brain development. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 265:219-229. [PMID: 29183795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) facilitates transmembrane transport of thyroid hormones (THs) ensuring their action on gene expression during vertebrate neurodevelopment. A loss of MCT8 in humans results in severe psychomotor deficits associated with the Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome (AHDS). However, where and when exactly a lack of MCT8 causes the neurological manifestations remains unclear because of the varying expression pattern of MCT8 between specific brain regions and cells. Here, we elaborate on the animal models that have been generated to elucidate the mechanisms underlying MCT8-deficient brain development. The absence of a clear neurological phenotype in Mct8 knockout mice made it clear that a single species would not suffice. The evolutionary conservation of TH action on neurodevelopment as well as the components regulating TH signalling however offers the opportunity to answer different aspects of MCT8 function in brain development using different vertebrate species. Moreover, the plethora of tools for genome editing available today facilitates gene silencing in these animals as well. Studies in the recently generated mct8-deficient zebrafish and Mct8/Oatp1c1 double knockout mice have put forward the current paradigm of impaired TH uptake at the level of the blood-brain barrier during peri- and postnatal development as being the main pathophysiological mechanism of AHDS. RNAi vector-based, cell-specific induction of MCT8 knockdown in the chicken embryo points to an additional function of MCT8 at the level of the neural progenitors during early brain development. Future studies including also additional in vivo models like Xenopus or in vitro approaches such as induced pluripotent stem cells will continue to help unravelling the exact role of MCT8 in developmental events. In the end, this multispecies approach will lead to a unifying thesis regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurological phenotype in AHDS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Vancamp
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle M Darras
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Bo X, Wu M, Xiao H, Wang H. Transcriptome analyses reveal molecular mechanisms that regulate endochondral ossification in amphibian Bufo gargarizans during metamorphosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2632-2644. [PMID: 30076880 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A developmental transition from aquatic to terrestrial existence is one of the most important events in the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates. Amphibian metamorphosis is a classic model to study this transition. The development of the vertebrate skeleton can reflect its evolutionary history. Endochondral ossification serves a vital role in skeletal development. Thus, we sought to unravel molecular mechanisms that regulate endochondral ossification during Bufo gargarizans metamorphosis. METHODS The alizarin red-alcian blue double staining method was used to visualize the skeletal development of B. gargarizans during metamorphosis. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to explore the transcriptome of B. gargarizans in four key developmental stages during metamorphosis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate the expression patterns of endochondral ossification related genes. RESULTS Endochondral ossification increased gradually in skeletal system of B. gargarizans during metamorphosis. A total of 137,264 unigenes were assembled and 44,035 unigenes were annotated. 10,352 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further extracted among four key developmental stages. In addition, 28 endochondral ossification related genes were found by searching for DEG libraries in B. gargarizans. Of the 28 genes, 10 genes were validated using RT-qPCR. CONCLUSIONS The exquisite coordination of the 28 genes is essential for regulation of endochondral ossification during B. gargarizans metamorphosis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The present study will not only provide an invaluable genomic resource and background for further research of endochondral ossification in amphibians but will also aid in enhancing our understanding of the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Bo
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Minyao Wu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Hui Xiao
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.
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Chao W, Zhang Y, Chai L, Wang H. Transcriptomics provides mechanistic indicators of fluoride toxicology on endochondral ossification in the hind limb of Bufo gargarizans. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 201:138-150. [PMID: 29908452 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Endochondral ossification, the process by which most of the bone is formed, is regulated by many specific groups of molecules and extracellular matrix components. Hind limb of Bufo gargarizans is a model to study endochondral ossification during metamorphosis. Chinese toad (Bufo gargarizans) were exposed to different fluoride concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg L-1) from G3 to G42. The development of hind limb of B. gargarizans was observed using the double staining methodology. The transcriptome of hind limb of B. gargarizans was conducted using RNA-seq approach, and differentially expressed gene was also validated. In addition, the location of Sox9 and Ihh in the growth cartilage was determined using in situ hybridization. Our results showed that 5 mg L-1 stimulated bone mineralization, while 10 and 20 mg L-1 exposure could inhibit the tibio-fibula, tarsus and metacarpals ossification. Besides, 10 mg F/L treatment could down-regulate Ihh, Sox9, D2, D3, TRα, TRβ, Wnt10, FGF3 and BMP6 expression, while up-regulate ObRb and HHAT mRNA expression in the hind limb of B. gargarizans. Transcript level changes of Ihh, Sox9, D2, D3, TRα, TRβ, Wnt10, FGF3 and BMP6 were consistent with the results of RT-qPCR. In situ hybridization revealed that Ihh was expressed in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, while Sox9 was abundantly expressed in proliferous, prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes. However, 10 mg F-/L did not cause any affect in the location of the Ihh and Sox9 mRNA. Therefore, high concentration of fluoride could affect the ossification-related genes mRNA expression and then inhibit the endochondral ossification. The present study thus will greatly contribute to our understanding of the effect of environmental contaminant on ossification in amphibian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Chao
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China
| | - Yuhui Zhang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Lihong Chai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China.
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45
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Ruthsatz K, Dausmann KH, Drees C, Becker LI, Hartmann L, Reese J, Sabatino NM, Peck MA, Glos J. Altered thyroid hormone levels affect body condition at metamorphosis in larvae of Xenopus laevis. J Appl Toxicol 2018; 38:1416-1425. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Kathrin H. Dausmann
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Claudia Drees
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Laura I. Becker
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Lisa Hartmann
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Janica Reese
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
| | - Nikita M. Sabatino
- Department of Life Sciences; Hamburg University of Applied Sciences; Ulmenliet 20 21033 Hamburg Germany
| | - Myron A. Peck
- Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science; University of Hamburg; Olbersweg 24 22767 Hamburg Germany
| | - Julian Glos
- Institut for Zoology; University of Hamburg; Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3 20146 Hamburg Germany
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Mengeling BJ, Goodson ML, Furlow JD. RXR Ligands Modulate Thyroid Hormone Signaling Competence in Young Xenopus laevis Tadpoles. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2576-2595. [PMID: 29762675 PMCID: PMC6692881 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate thyroid hormone (TH) signaling through thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) is essential for vertebrate development. Amphibian metamorphosis is initiated and sustained through the action of TH on TRs, which are conserved across vertebrates. TRs heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) on thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) in the genome; however, in most cell line and adult animal studies, RXR ligands do not affect expression of TR target genes. We used a quantitative, precocious metamorphosis assay to interrogate the effects of the RXR agonist bexarotene (Bex) and the RXR antagonist UVI 3003 (UVI) on T3-induced resorption phenotypes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles 1 week postfertilization. Bex potentiated gill and tail resorption, and UVI abrogated T3 action. These results held in transgenic tadpoles bearing a TRE-driven luciferase reporter. Therefore, we used poly-A-primed RNA sequencing transcriptomic analysis to determine their effects on T3-induced gene expression. We also assayed the environmental pollutant tributyltin (TBT), which is an RXR agonist. We found that the proteases that carry out resorption were potentiated by Bex and TBT but were not significantly inhibited by UVI. However, several transcription factors from multiple families (sox4, fosl2, mxd1, mafb, nfib) were all inhibited by UVI and potentiated by Bex and TBT. All required T3 for induction. Time course analysis of gene expression showed that although the agonists could potentiate within 12 hours, the antagonist response lagged. These data indicate that the agonists and antagonist are not necessarily functioning through the same mechanism and suggest that RXR liganding may modulate TH competence in metamorphic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda J Mengeling
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Michael L Goodson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - J David Furlow
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
- Correspondence: J. David Furlow, PhD, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616.
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Ruthsatz K, Peck MA, Dausmann KH, Sabatino NM, Glos J. Patterns of temperature induced developmental plasticity in anuran larvae. J Therm Biol 2018; 74:123-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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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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Sakane Y, Iida M, Hasebe T, Fujii S, Buchholz DR, Ishizuya-Oka A, Yamamoto T, Suzuki KIT. Functional analysis of thyroid hormone receptor beta in Xenopus tropicalis founders using CRISPR-Cas. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.030338. [PMID: 29358165 PMCID: PMC5829506 DOI: 10.1242/bio.030338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians provide an ideal model to study the actions of thyroid hormone (TH) in animal development because TH signaling via two TH receptors, TRα and TRβ, is indispensable for amphibian metamorphosis. However, specific roles for the TRβ isoform in metamorphosis are poorly understood. To address this issue, we generated trβ-disrupted Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles using the CRISPR-Cas system. We first established a highly efficient and rapid workflow for gene disruption in the founder generation (F0) by injecting sgRNA and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein. Most embryos showed severe mutant phenotypes carrying high somatic mutation rates. Utilizing this founder analysis system, we examined the role of trβ in metamorphosis. trβ-disrupted pre-metamorphic tadpoles exhibited mixed responsiveness to exogenous TH. Specifically, gill resorption and activation of several TH-response genes, including trβ itself and two protease genes, were impaired. However, hind limb outgrowth and induction of the TH-response genes, klf9 and fra-2, were not affected by loss of trβ Surprisingly, trβ-disrupted tadpoles were able to undergo spontaneous metamorphosis normally, except for a slight delay in tail resorption. These results indicate TRβ is not required but contributes to the timing of resorptive events of metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Sakane
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Midori Iida
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Takashi Hasebe
- Department of Biology, Nippon Medical School, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0023, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fujii
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 312 Clifton Ct., Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Atsuko Ishizuya-Oka
- Department of Biology, Nippon Medical School, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0023, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
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50
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Abstract
As one of the most basal living vertebrates, lampreys represent an excellent model system to study the evolution of thyroid hormone (TH) signaling. The lamprey hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and reproductive axes overlap functionally. Lampreys have 3 gonadotropin-releasing hormones and a single glycoprotein hormone from the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively, that regulate both the reproductive and thyroid axes. TH synthesis in larval lampreys takes place in an endostyle that transforms into typical vertebrate thyroid tissue during metamorphosis; both the endostyle and follicular tissue have all the typical TH synthetic components found in other vertebrates. Furthermore, lampreys also have the vertebrate suite of peripheral regulators including TH distributor proteins (THDPs), deiodinases and TH receptors (TRs). Although at the molecular level the components of the lamprey thyroid system are ancestral to other vertebrates, their functions have been largely conserved. TH signaling as it relates to lamprey metamorphosis represents a particularly interesting phenomenon. Unlike other metamorphosing vertebrates, lamprey THs increase throughout the larval period, peak prior to metamorphosis and decline rapidly at the onset of metamorphosis; patterns of deiodinase activity are consistent with these increases and declines. Moreover, goitrogens (which suppress TH levels) initiate precocious metamorphosis, and exogenous TH treatment blocks goitrogen-induced metamorphosis and disrupts natural metamorphosis. Despite this clear physiological difference, TH action via TRs is consistent with higher vertebrates. Based on observations that TRs are upregulated in a tissue-specific fashion during morphogenesis and the finding that lamprey TRs upregulate genes via THs in a fashion similar to higher vertebrates, we propose the following hypothesis for further testing. THs have a dual role in lampreys where high TH levels promote larval feeding and growth and then at the onset of metamorphosis TH levels decrease rapidly; at this time the relatively low TH levels function via TRs in a fashion similar to that of other metamorphosing vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Manzon
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
| | - Lori A Manzon
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
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