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England SJ, Rusnock AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular analyses of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and identification of transcriptional regulators downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these cells. Neural Dev 2023; 18:8. [PMID: 38017520 PMCID: PMC10683209 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00176-w] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. METHODS To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted wild-type and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. RESULTS Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuron expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amra Mujcic
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | | | - Sarah de Jager
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - José L Juárez-Morales
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Programa de IxM-CONAHCYT, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Ginny Grieb
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, NY, USA
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England SJ, Woodard AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular Analyses of V0v Spinal Interneurons and Identification of Transcriptional Regulators Downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these Cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3290462. [PMID: 37693471 PMCID: PMC10491344 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3290462/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. Methods To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted WT and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. Results Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuronal expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. Conclusions This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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Faustini G, Longhena F, Muscò A, Bono F, Parrella E, La Via L, Barbon A, Pizzi M, Onofri F, Benfenati F, Missale C, Memo M, Zizioli D, Bellucci A. Synapsin III Regulates Dopaminergic Neuron Development in Vertebrates. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233902. [PMID: 36497160 PMCID: PMC9739466 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by alterations in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. Polymorphisms in the Synapsin III (Syn III) gene can associate with ADHD onset and even affect the therapeutic response to the gold standard ADHD medication, methylphenidate (MPH), a monoamine transporter inhibitor whose efficacy appears related with the stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Interestingly, we previously showed that MPH can bind Syn III, which can regulate neuronal development. These observations suggest that Syn III polymorphism may impinge on ADHD onset and response to therapy by affecting BDNF-dependent dopaminergic neuron development. Here, by studying zebrafish embryos exposed to Syn III gene knock-down (KD), Syn III knock-out (ko) mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neurons subjected to Syn III RNA interference, we found that Syn III governs the earliest stages of dopaminergic neurons development and that this function is conserved in vertebrates. We also observed that in mammals Syn III exerts this function acting upstream of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5)-stimulated dendrite development. Collectively, these findings own significant implications for deciphering the biological basis of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessia Muscò
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Bono
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Parrella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Onofri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via Leon Battista Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IRCSS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Missale
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
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Farnsworth DR, Posner M, Miller AC. Single cell transcriptomics of the developing zebrafish lens and identification of putative controllers of lens development. Exp Eye Res 2021; 206:108535. [PMID: 33705730 PMCID: PMC8092445 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate lens is a valuable model system for investigating the gene expression changes that coordinate tissue differentiation due to its inclusion of two spatially separated cell types, the outer epithelial cells and the deeper denucleated fiber cells that they support. Zebrafish are a useful model system for studying lens development given the organ's rapid development in the first several days of life in an accessible, transparent embryo. While we have strong foundational knowledge of the diverse lens crystallin proteins and the basic gene regulatory networks controlling lens development, no study has detailed gene expression in a vertebrate lens at single cell resolution. Here we report an atlas of lens gene expression in zebrafish embryos and larvae at single cell resolution through five days of development, identifying a number of novel putative regulators of lens development. Our data address open questions about the temperospatial expression of α-crystallins during lens development that will support future studies of their function and provide the first detailed view of β- and γ-crystallin expression in and outside the lens. We describe divergent expression in transcription factor genes that occur as paralog pairs in the zebrafish. Finally, we examine the expression dynamics of cytoskeletal, membrane associated, RNA-binding, and transcription factor genes, identifying a number of novel patterns. Overall these data provide a foundation for identifying and characterizing lens developmental regulatory mechanisms and revealing targets for future functional studies with potential therapeutic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mason Posner
- Department of Biology and Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, OH, USA.
| | - Adam C Miller
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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Sullivan CH, Majumdar HD, Neilson KM, Moody SA. Six1 and Irx1 have reciprocal interactions during cranial placode and otic vesicle formation. Dev Biol 2019; 446:68-79. [PMID: 30529252 PMCID: PMC6349505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The specialized sensory organs of the vertebrate head are derived from thickened patches of cells in the ectoderm called cranial sensory placodes. The developmental program that generates these placodes and the genes that are expressed during the process have been studied extensively in a number of animals, yet very little is known about how these genes regulate one another. We previously found via a microarray screen that Six1, a known transcriptional regulator of cranial placode fate, up-regulates Irx1 in ectodermal explants. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional relationship between Six1 and Irx1 and found that they reciprocally regulate each other throughout cranial placode and otic vesicle formation. Although Irx1 expression precedes that of Six1 in the neural border zone, its continued and appropriately patterned expression in the pre-placodal region (PPR) and otic vesicle requires Six1. At early PPR stages, Six1 expands the Irx1 domain, but this activity subsides over time and changes to a predominantly repressive effect. Likewise, Irx1 initially expands Six1 expression in the PPR, but later represses it. We also found that Irx1 and Sox11, a known direct target of Six1, reciprocally affect each other. This work demonstrates that the interactions between Six1 and Irx1 are continuous during PPR and placode development and their transcriptional effects on one another change over developmental time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Sullivan
- Department of Biology, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, 50112, USA; bDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I (eye) Street, N.W., Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Himani D Majumdar
- bDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I (eye) Street, N.W., Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Karen M Neilson
- bDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I (eye) Street, N.W., Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Sally A Moody
- bDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I (eye) Street, N.W., Washington DC 20037, USA.
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A transcriptomic study of myogenic differentiation under the overexpression of PPARγ by RNA-Seq. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15308. [PMID: 29127356 PMCID: PMC5681552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the cellular and molecular function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in skeletal muscle differentiation, we have generated inducible gain-of-function to overexpress PPARγ in C2C12 myoblasts. In order to identify PPARγ targets, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to evaluate and quantify the transcriptomes and expression patterns during myogenic differentiation under the overexpression of PPARγ. The formation of myotubes and the expression of muscle-specific myogenic genes such as MyoD and MyoG may be inhibited by PPARγ overexpression. Multiple genes and pathways were significantly involved in this process, including 11 genes such as Fndc9 and Slc14a1 with fundamental change of regulation modes, 9 genes of which were validated by the data of qRT-PCR. Our studies demonstrate that PPARγ would play critical roles on myoblasts differentiation, mediating crosstalk among several pathways and transcription factors. Our data is available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with the accession number as GSE99399.
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Zic-Proteins Are Repressors of Dopaminergic Forebrain Fate in Mice and C. elegans. J Neurosci 2017; 37:10611-10623. [PMID: 28972122 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3888-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the postnatal forebrain regionalized neural stem cells along the ventricular walls produce olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons with varying neurotransmitter phenotypes and positions. To understand the molecular basis of this region-specific variability we analyzed gene expression in the postnatal dorsal and lateral lineages in mice of both sexes from stem cells to neurons. We show that both lineages maintain transcription factor signatures of their embryonic site of origin, the pallium and subpallium. However, additional factors, including Zic1 and Zic2, are postnatally expressed in the dorsal stem cell compartment and maintained in the lineage that generates calretinin-positive GABAergic neurons for the OB. Functionally, we show that Zic1 and Zic2 induce the generation of calretinin-positive neurons while suppressing dopaminergic fate in the postnatal dorsal lineage. We investigated the evolutionary conservation of the dopaminergic repressor function of Zic proteins and show that it is already present in C. elegansSIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The vertebrate brain generates thousands of different neuron types. In this work we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this variability. Using a genomics approach we identify the transcription factor signatures of defined neural stem cells and neuron populations. Based thereon we show that two related transcription factors, Zic1 and Zic2, are essential to control the balance between two defined neuron types in the postnatal brain. We show that this mechanism is conserved in evolutionary very distant species.
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8
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The structure, splicing, synteny and expression of lamprey COE genes and the evolution of the COE gene family in chordates. Dev Genes Evol 2017; 227:319-338. [DOI: 10.1007/s00427-017-0591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bhattarai S, Sochacka-Marlowe A, Crutchfield G, Khan R, Londraville R, Liu Q. Krüpple-like factors 7 and 6a mRNA expression in adult zebrafish central nervous system. Gene Expr Patterns 2016; 21:41-53. [PMID: 27364471 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2016.06.004] [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: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Krüpple-like factors (KLFs) are transcription factors with zinc finger DNA binding domains known to play important roles in brain development and central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. There is little information on KLFs expression in adult vertebrate CNS. In this study, we used in situ hybridization to examine Klf7 mRNA (klf7) and Klf6a mRNA (klf6a) expression in adult zebrafish CNS. Both klfs exhibit wide and similar expression in the zebrafish CNS. Brain areas containing strongly labeled cells include the ventricular regions of the dorsomedial telencephalon, the ventromedial telencephalon, periventricular regions of the thalamus and hypothalamus, torus longitudinalis, stratum periventriculare of the optic tectum, granular regions of the cerebellar body and valvula, and superficial layers of the facial and vagal lobes. In the spinal cord, klf7- and klf6a-expressing cells are found in both the dorsal and ventral horns. Numerous sensory structures (e.g. auditory, lateral line, olfactory and visual) and several motor nuclei (e.g. oculomotor, trigeminal, and vagal motor nuclei) contain klf7- and/or klf6a-expressing cells. Our results may provide useful information for determining these Klfs in maintenance and/or function in adult CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Bhattarai
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States
| | - Alicja Sochacka-Marlowe
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States
| | - Gerald Crutchfield
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States
| | - Ramisha Khan
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States
| | - Richard Londraville
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, United States.
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Wang F, Chen X, Shi W, Yao L, Gao M, Yang Y, Hao A. Zdhhc15b Regulates Differentiation of Diencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons in zebrafish. J Cell Biochem 2015; 116:2980-91. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fen Wang
- KeyLaboratory of the Ministry of Education; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Department of Histology Embryology; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
| | - Xueran Chen
- Center of Medical Physics and Technology; Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; No. 350, Shushan Hu Road Hefei AnHui 230031 PR China
| | - Wei Shi
- KeyLaboratory of the Ministry of Education; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Department of Histology Embryology; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
| | - Linli Yao
- KeyLaboratory of the Ministry of Education; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Department of Histology Embryology; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
| | - Ming Gao
- Reproductive medical center of Shandong University; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44, Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
| | - Yang Yang
- Infertility Center, Qilu Hospital; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44, Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
| | - Aijun Hao
- KeyLaboratory of the Ministry of Education; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Department of Histology Embryology; Shandong University School of Medicine; No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road; Jinan Shandong 250012 PR China
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Gao Y, Cao Q, Lu L, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Dong X, Jia W, Cao Y. Kruppel-like factor family genes are expressed during Xenopus embryogenesis and involved in germ layer formation and body axis patterning. Dev Dyn 2015. [PMID: 26198170 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kruppel-like factors (Klfs) are a family of transcription factors consisting of 17 members in mammals, Klf1-Klf17, which are involved in fundamental cellular physiological procedures, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, their functions in embryonic development have been poorly understood. Our previous study has demonstrated that the pluripotency factor Klf4 participates in germ layer formation and axis patterning of Xenopus embryos by means of the regulation of key developmental signals. In the present study, we further investigated comprehensively the expression and functions of the klf family genes, klf2, klf5, klf6, klf7, klf8, klf11, klf15, and klf17, during the embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis. RESULTS Spatio-temporal expression analyses demonstrate that these genes are transcribed both maternally and zygotically in Xenopus embryos, and during organogenesis and tissue differentiation, they are localized to a variety of placodes and tissues. Gain and loss of function studies manifest that Klf factors play different roles in germ layer formation and body axis patterning. Moreover, each Klf factor exhibits distinct regulatory effects on the expression of genes that are essential for germ layer formation and body axis patterning. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that Klf factors are involved in the fine-tuning of these genes during early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Cao
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Lu
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuena Zhang
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohua Dong
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenshuang Jia
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, China
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12
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Range R. Specification and positioning of the anterior neuroectoderm in deuterostome embryos. Genesis 2014; 52:222-34. [PMID: 24549984 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms used by deuterostome embryos (vertebrates, urochordates, cephalochordates, hemichordates, and echinoderms) to specify and then position the anterior neuroectoderm (ANE) along the anterior-posterior axis are incompletely understood. Studies in several deuterostome embryos suggest that the ANE is initially specified by an early, broad regulatory state. Then, a posterior-to-anterior wave of respecification restricts this broad ANE potential to the anterior pole. In vertebrates, sea urchins and hemichordates a posterior-anterior gradient of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an essential and conserved role in this process. Recent data collected from the basal deuterostome sea urchin embryo suggests that positioning the ANE to the anterior pole involves more than the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, instead relying on the integration of information from the Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/PKC pathways. Moreover, comparison of functional and expression data from the ambulacrarians, invertebrate chordates, and vertebrates strongly suggests that this Wnt network might be an ANE positioning mechanism shared by all deuterostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Range
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
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13
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Gariano G, Guarienti M, Bresciani R, Borsani G, Carola G, Monti E, Giuliani R, Rezzani R, Bonomini F, Preti A, Schu P, Zizioli D. Analysis of three μ1-AP1 subunits during zebrafish development. Dev Dyn 2013; 243:299-314. [PMID: 24123392 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The family of AP-1 complexes mediates protein sorting in the late secretory pathway and it is essential for the development of mammals. The ubiquitously expressed AP-1A complex consists of four adaptins γ1, β1, μ1A, and σ1A. AP-1A mediates protein transport between the trans-Golgi network and early endosomes. The polarized epithelia AP-1B complex contains the μ1B-adaptin. AP-1B mediates specific transport of proteins from basolateral recycling endosomes to the basolateral plasma membrane of polarized epithelial cells. RESULTS Analysis of the zebrafish genome revealed the existence of three μ1-adaptin genes, encoding μ1A, μ1B, and the novel isoform μ1C, which is not found in mammals. μ1C shows 80% sequence identity with μ1A and μ1B. The μ1C expression pattern largely overlaps with that of μ1A, while μ1B is expressed in epithelial cells. By knocking-down the synthesis of μ1A, μ1B and μ1C with antisense morpholino techniques we demonstrate that each of these μ1 adaptins is essential for zebrafish development, with μ1A and μ1C being involved in central nervous system development and μ1B in kidney, gut and liver formation. CONCLUSIONS Zebrafish is unique in expressing three AP-1 complexes: AP-1A, AP-1B, and AP-1C. Our results demonstrate that they are not redundant and that each of them has specific functions, which cannot be fulfilled by one of the other isoforms. Each of the μ1 adaptins appears to mediate specific molecular mechanisms essential for early developmental processes, which depends on specific intracellular vesicular protein sorting pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Gariano
- Unit of Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine University of Brescia, Italy
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Schweitzer J, Lohr H, Filippi A, Driever W. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic circuit development in zebrafish. Dev Neurobiol 2012; 72:256-68. [PMID: 21567980 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons constitute some of the major far projecting systems in the vertebrate brain and spinal cord that modulate the activity of circuits controlling a broad range of behaviors. Degeneration or dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons has also been linked to a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease.Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged over the past two decades into a major genetic vertebrate model system,and thus contributed to a better understanding of developmental mechanisms controlling dopaminergic neuron specification and axonogenesis. In this review, we want to focus on conserved and dynamic aspects of the different catecholaminergic systems, which may help to evaluate the zebrafish as a model for dopaminergic and noradrenergic cellular specification and circuit function as well as biomedical aspects of catecholamine systems.
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