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Martins-Costa C, Wilson V, Binagui-Casas A. Neuromesodermal specification during head-to-tail body axis formation. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 159:232-271. [PMID: 38729677 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.02.012] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The anterior-to-posterior (head-to-tail) body axis is extraordinarily diverse among vertebrates but conserved within species. Body axis development requires a population of axial progenitors that resides at the posterior of the embryo to sustain elongation and is then eliminated once axis extension is complete. These progenitors occupy distinct domains in the posterior (tail-end) of the embryo and contribute to various lineages along the body axis. The subset of axial progenitors with neuromesodermal competency will generate both the neural tube (the precursor of the spinal cord), and the trunk and tail somites (producing the musculoskeleton) during embryo development. These axial progenitors are called Neuromesodermal Competent cells (NMCs) and Neuromesodermal Progenitors (NMPs). NMCs/NMPs have recently attracted interest beyond the field of developmental biology due to their clinical potential. In the mouse, the maintenance of neuromesodermal competency relies on a fine balance between a trio of known signals: Wnt/β-catenin, FGF signalling activity and suppression of retinoic acid signalling. These signals regulate the relative expression levels of the mesodermal transcription factor Brachyury and the neural transcription factor Sox2, permitting the maintenance of progenitor identity when co-expressed, and either mesoderm or neural lineage commitment when the balance is tilted towards either Brachyury or Sox2, respectively. Despite important advances in understanding key genes and cellular behaviours involved in these fate decisions, how the balance between mesodermal and neural fates is achieved remains largely unknown. In this chapter, we provide an overview of signalling and gene regulatory networks in NMCs/NMPs. We discuss mutant phenotypes associated with axial defects, hinting at the potential significant role of lesser studied proteins in the maintenance and differentiation of the progenitors that fuel axial elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Martins-Costa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - V Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - A Binagui-Casas
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Lee H, Camuto CM, Niehrs C. R-Spondin 2 governs Xenopus left-right body axis formation by establishing an FGF signaling gradient. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1003. [PMID: 38307837 PMCID: PMC10837206 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44951-7] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Establishment of the left-right (LR, sinistral, dextral) body axis in many vertebrate embryos relies on cilia-driven leftward fluid flow within an LR organizer (LRO). A cardinal question is how leftward flow triggers symmetry breakage. The chemosensation model posits that ciliary flow enriches a signaling molecule on the left side of the LRO that promotes sinistral cell fate. However, the nature of this sinistralizing signal has remained elusive. In the Xenopus LRO, we identified the stem cell growth factor R-Spondin 2 (Rspo2) as a symmetrically expressed, sinistralizing signal. As predicted for a flow-mediated signal, Rspo2 operates downstream of leftward flow but upstream of the asymmetrically expressed gene dand5. Unexpectedly, in LR patterning, Rspo2 acts as an FGF receptor antagonist: Rspo2 via its TSP1 domain binds Fgfr4 and promotes its membrane clearance by Znrf3-mediated endocytosis. Concordantly, we find that at flow-stage, FGF signaling is dextralizing and forms a gradient across the LRO, high on the dextral- and low on the sinistral side. Rspo2 gain- and loss-of function equalize this FGF signaling gradient and sinistralize and dextralize development, respectively. We propose that leftward flow of Rspo2 produces an FGF signaling gradient that governs LR-symmetry breakage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeyoon Lee
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Celine Marie Camuto
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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Tingler M, Brugger A, Feistel K, Schweickert A. dmrt2 and myf5 Link Early Somitogenesis to Left-Right Axis Determination in Xenopus laevis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:858272. [PMID: 35813209 PMCID: PMC9260042 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.858272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate left-right axis is specified during neurulation by events occurring in a transient ciliated epithelium termed left-right organizer (LRO), which is made up of two distinct cell types. In the axial midline, central LRO (cLRO) cells project motile monocilia and generate a leftward fluid flow, which represents the mechanism of symmetry breakage. This directional fluid flow is perceived by laterally positioned sensory LRO (sLRO) cells, which harbor non-motile cilia. In sLRO cells on the left side, flow-induced signaling triggers post-transcriptional repression of the multi-pathway antagonist dand5. Subsequently, the co-expressed Tgf-β growth factor Nodal1 is released from Dand5-mediated repression to induce left-sided gene expression. Interestingly, Xenopus sLRO cells have somitic fate, suggesting a connection between LR determination and somitogenesis. Here, we show that doublesex and mab3-related transcription factor 2 (Dmrt2), known to be involved in vertebrate somitogenesis, is required for LRO ciliogenesis and sLRO specification. In dmrt2 morphants, misexpression of the myogenic transcription factors tbx6 and myf5 at early gastrula stages preceded the misspecification of sLRO cells at neurula stages. myf5 morphant tadpoles also showed LR defects due to a failure of sLRO development. The gain of myf5 function reintroduced sLRO cells in dmrt2 morphants, demonstrating that paraxial patterning and somitogenesis are functionally linked to LR axis formation in Xenopus.
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McFann SE, Shvartsman SY, Toettcher JE. Putting in the Erk: Growth factor signaling and mesoderm morphogenesis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 149:263-310. [PMID: 35606058 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It has long been known that FGF signaling contributes to mesoderm formation, a germ layer found in triploblasts that is composed of highly migratory cells that give rise to muscles and to the skeletal structures of vertebrates. FGF signaling activates several pathways in the developing mesoderm, including transient activation of the Erk pathway, which triggers mesodermal fate specification through the induction of the gene brachyury and activates morphogenetic programs that allow mesodermal cells to position themselves in the embryo. In this review, we discuss what is known about the generation and interpretation of transient Erk signaling in mesodermal tissues across species. We focus specifically on mechanisms that translate the level and duration of Erk signaling into cell fate and cell movement instructions and discuss strategies for further interrogating the role that Erk signaling dynamics play in mesodermal gastrulation and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E McFann
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States; Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jared E Toettcher
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States.
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Functional Roles of FGF Signaling in Early Development of Vertebrate Embryos. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082148. [PMID: 34440915 PMCID: PMC8391977 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a large family of growth factors, regulating diverse biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Each FGF binds to a set of FGF receptors to initiate certain intracellular signaling molecules. Accumulated evidence suggests that in early development and adult state of vertebrates, FGFs also play exclusive and context dependent roles. Although FGFs have been the focus of research for therapeutic approaches in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, in this review, we mainly focused on their role in germ layer specification and axis patterning during early vertebrate embryogenesis. We discussed the functional roles of FGFs and their interacting partners as part of the gene regulatory network for germ layer specification, dorsal-ventral (DV), and anterior-posterior (AP) patterning. Finally, we briefly reviewed the regulatory molecules and pharmacological agents discovered that may allow modulation of FGF signaling in research.
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Ma J, Scott CA, Ho YN, Mahabaleshwar H, Marsay KS, Zhang C, Teow CK, Ng SS, Zhang W, Tergaonkar V, Partridge LJ, Roy S, Amaya E, Carney TJ. Matriptase activation of Gq drives epithelial disruption and inflammation via RSK and DUOX. eLife 2021; 10:66596. [PMID: 34165081 PMCID: PMC8291973 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues are primed to respond to insults by activating epithelial cell motility and rapid inflammation. Such responses are also elicited upon overexpression of the membrane-bound protease, Matriptase, or mutation of its inhibitor, Hai1. Unrestricted Matriptase activity also predisposes to carcinoma. How Matriptase leads to these cellular outcomes is unknown. We demonstrate that zebrafish hai1a mutants show increased H2O2, NfκB signalling, and IP3R -mediated calcium flashes, and that these promote inflammation, but do not generate epithelial cell motility. In contrast, inhibition of the Gq subunit in hai1a mutants rescues both the inflammation and epithelial phenotypes, with the latter recapitulated by the DAG analogue, PMA. We demonstrate that hai1a has elevated MAPK pathway activity, inhibition of which rescues the epidermal defects. Finally, we identify RSK kinases as MAPK targets disrupting adherens junctions in hai1a mutants. Our work maps novel signalling cascades mediating the potent effects of Matriptase on epithelia, with implications for tissue damage response and carcinoma progression. Cancer occurs when normal processes in the cell become corrupted or unregulated. Many proteins can contribute, including one enzyme called Matriptase that cuts other proteins at specific sites. Matriptase activity is tightly controlled by a protein called Hai1. In mice and zebrafish, when Hai1 cannot adequately control Matriptase activity, invasive cancers with severe inflammation develop. However, it is unclear how unregulated Matriptase leads to both inflammation and cancer invasion. One outcome of Matriptase activity is removal of proteins called Cadherins from the cell surface. These proteins have a role in cell adhesion: they act like glue to stick cells together. Without them, cells can dissociate from a tissue and move away, a critical step in cancer cells invading other organs. However, it is unknown exactly how Matriptase triggers the removal of Cadherins from the cell surface to promote invasion. Previous work has shown that Matriptase switches on a receptor called Proteinase-activated receptor 2, or Par2 for short, which is known to activate many enzymes, including one called phospholipase C. When activated, this enzyme releases two signals into the cell: a sugar called inositol triphosphate, IP3; and a lipid or fat called diacylglycerol, DAG. It is possible that these two signals have a role to play in how Matriptase removes Cadherins from the cell surface. To find out, Ma et al. mapped the effects of Matriptase in zebrafish lacking the Hai1 protein. This revealed that Matriptase increases IP3 and DAG levels, which initiate both inflammation and invasion. IP3 promotes inflammation by switching on pro-inflammatory signals inside the cell such as the chemical hydrogen peroxide. At the same time, DAG promotes cell invasion by activating a well-known cancer signalling pathway called MAPK. This pathway activates a protein called RSK. Ma et al. show that this protein is required to remove Cadherins from the surface of cells, thus connecting Matriptase’s activation of phospholipase C with its role in disrupting cell adhesion. An increase in the ratio of Matriptase to HAI-1 (the human equivalent of Hai1) is present in many cancers. For this reason, the signal cascades described by Ma et al. may be of interest in developing treatments for these cancers. Understanding how these signals work together could lead to more direct targeted anti-cancer approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Ma
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Claire A Scott
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Na Ho
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harsha Mahabaleshwar
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Katherine S Marsay
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Changqing Zhang
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christopher Kj Teow
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ser Sue Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weibin Zhang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lynda J Partridge
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Sudipto Roy
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrique Amaya
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tom J Carney
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Building, Yunnan Garden Campus, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore
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The cytokine FAM3B/PANDER is an FGFR ligand that promotes posterior development in Xenopus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100342118. [PMID: 33975953 PMCID: PMC8158011 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100342118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
How distinct body regions form along the anterior–posterior axis in vertebrate embryos is a fascinating and incompletely understood developmental process. FAM3B/PANDER is a secreted protein involved in glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes pathogenesis in mammals, but its receptor has been unknown. Here, we report that FAM3B binds to transmembrane fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and activates their downstream signaling pathway. In frog embryos, gain-of-function of FAM3B impairs head development and induces ectopic tail-like structures, whereas loss-of-function of FAM3B promotes head development. FGFR is required downstream of FAM3B for head-to-tail patterning. Our results reveal that FAM3B functions by activating the FGFR pathway in frog embryos and mammalian cells and shed light on its possible role in human diseases. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling plays a crucial role in anterior–posterior (A–P) axial patterning of vertebrate embryos by promoting posterior development. In our screens for novel developmental regulators in Xenopus embryos, we identified Fam3b as a secreted factor regulated in ectodermal explants. Family with sequence similarity 3 member B (FAM3B)/PANDER (pancreatic-derived factor) is a cytokine involved in glucose metabolism, type 2 diabetes, and cancer in mammals. However, the molecular mechanism of FAM3B action in these processes remains poorly understood, largely because its receptor is still unidentified. Here we uncover an unexpected role of FAM3B acting as a FGF receptor (FGFR) ligand in Xenopus embryos. fam3b messenger RNA (mRNA) is initially expressed maternally and uniformly in the early Xenopus embryo and then in the epidermis at neurula stages. Overexpression of Xenopus fam3b mRNA inhibited cephalic structures and induced ectopic tail-like structures. Recombinant human FAM3B protein was purified readily from transfected tissue culture cells and, when injected into the blastocoele cavity, also caused outgrowth of tail-like structures at the expense of anterior structures, indicating FGF-like activity. Depletion of fam3b by specific antisense morpholino oligonucleotides in Xenopus resulted in macrocephaly in tailbud tadpoles, rescuable by FAM3B protein. Mechanistically, FAM3B protein bound to FGFR and activated the downstream ERK signaling in an FGFR-dependent manner. In Xenopus embryos, FGFR activity was required epistatically downstream of Fam3b to mediate its promotion of posterior cell fates. Our findings define a FAM3B/FGFR/ERK-signaling pathway that is required for axial patterning in Xenopus embryos and may provide molecular insights into FAM3B-associated human diseases.
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Hes5.9 Coordinate FGF and Notch Signaling to Modulate Gastrulation via Regulating Cell Fate Specification and Cell Migration in Xenopus tropicalis. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111363. [PMID: 33218193 PMCID: PMC7699193 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrulation drives the establishment of three germ layers and embryonic axes during frog embryonic development. Mesodermal cell fate specification and morphogenetic movements are vital factors coordinating gastrulation, which are regulated by numerous signaling pathways, such as the Wnt (Wingless/Integrated), Notch, and FGF (Fibroblast growth factor) pathways. However, the coordination of the Notch and FGF signaling pathways during gastrulation remains unclear. We identified a novel helix–loop–helix DNA binding domain gene (Hes5.9), which was regulated by the FGF and Notch signaling pathways during gastrulation. Furthermore, gain- and loss-of-function of Hes5.9 led to defective cell migration and disturbed the expression patterns of mesodermal and endodermal marker genes, thus interfering with gastrulation. Collectively, these results suggest that Hes5.9 plays a crucial role in cell fate decisions and cell migration during gastrulation, which is modulated by the FGF and Notch signaling pathways.
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Sun J, Yoon J, Lee M, Hwang YS, Daar IO. Sprouty2 regulates positioning of retinal progenitors through suppressing the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13752. [PMID: 32792568 PMCID: PMC7426826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sproutys are negative regulators of the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway and involved in regulation of organogenesis, differentiation, cell migration and proliferation. Although the function of Sproutys have been extensively studied during embryonic development, their role and mode of action during eye formation in vertebrate embryonic development is still unknown. Here we show that Xenopus sprouty2 is expressed in the optic vesicle at late neurula stage and knockdown of Sprouty2 prevents retinal progenitors from populating the retina, which in turn gives rise to small eyes. In the absence of Sprouty2, progenitor cell population of the retina can be restored by blocking the MAPK signaling pathway through overexpression of DN-Ras or DN-Raf. In contrast, activation of the MAPK pathway through overexpression of a constitutively active form of c-Raf (ca-Raf) inhibits progenitor population of the retina, similar to the Sprouty2 loss-of-function phenotype. Moreover, we present evidence that the retinal defect observed in Sprouty2 morphants is attributed to the failure of proper movement of retinal progenitors into the optic vesicle, rather than an effect on progenitor cell survival. These results suggest that Sprouty2 is required for the positioning of retinal progenitors within the optic vesicle through suppressing Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jaeho Yoon
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Moonsup Lee
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Yoo-Seok Hwang
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ira O Daar
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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Ninomiya H, Intoh A, Ishimine H, Onuma Y, Ito Y, Michiue T, Tazaki A, Kato M. Application of a human mesoderm tissue elongation system in vitro derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells to risk assessment for teratogenic chemicals. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 250:126124. [PMID: 32092576 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxic compounds from the mother's diet and medication in addition to genetic factors and infection during pregnancy remain risks for various congenital disorders and misbirth. To ensure the safety of food and drugs for pregnant women, establishment of an in vitro system that morphologically resembles human tissues has been long desired. In this study, we focused on dorsal mesoderm elongation, one of the critical early development events for trunk formation, and we established in vitro autonomous elongating tissues from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). This artificial tissue elongation is regulated by MYOSIN II and FGF signaling, and is diminished by methylmercury or retinoic acid (RA), similar to in vivo human developmental disabilities. Moreover, our method for differentiation of hiPSCs requires only a short culture period, and the elongation is cell number-independent. Therefore, our in vitro human tissue elongation system is a potential tool for risk assessment assays for identification of teratogenic chemicals via human tissue morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Ninomiya
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan; Department of Cell Biology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Atsushi Intoh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan; Voluntary Body for International Health Care in Universities, Nagoya, Japan; Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Division of Biological Science, Stem Cell Technologies Lab, Takayama-cho, Ikoma 8916-5, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Hisako Ishimine
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Yasuko Onuma
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Ito
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Michiue
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Tazaki
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan; Voluntary Body for International Health Care in Universities, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masashi Kato
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan; Voluntary Body for International Health Care in Universities, Nagoya, Japan.
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11
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Brunsdon H, Isaacs HV. A comparative analysis of fibroblast growth factor receptor signalling during Xenopus development. Biol Cell 2020; 112:127-139. [PMID: 32027762 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201900089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling system of vertebrates is complex. In common with other vertebrates, secreted FGF ligands of the amphibian Xenopus signal through a family of four FGF receptor tyrosine kinases (fgfr1, 2, 3 and 4). A wealth of previous studies has demonstrated important roles for FGF signalling in regulating gene expression during cell lineage specification in amphibian development. In particular, FGFs have well-established roles in regulating mesoderm formation, neural induction and patterning of the anteroposterior axis. However, relatively little is known regarding the role of individual FGFRs in regulating FGF-dependent processes in amphibian development. In this study we make use of synthetic drug inducible versions of Xenopus Fgfr1, 2 and 4 (iFgfr1, 2 and 4) to undertake a comparative analysis of their activities in the tissues of the developing embryo. RESULTS We find that Xenopus Fgfr1 and 2 have very similar activities. Both Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 are potent activators of MAP kinase ERK signalling, and when activated in the embryo during gastrula stages regulate similar cohorts of transcriptional targets. In contrast, Fgfr4 signalling in naïve ectoderm and neuralised ectoderm activates ERK signalling only weakly compared to Fgfr1/2. Furthermore, our analyses indicate that in Xenopus neural tissue the Fgfr4 regulated transcriptome is very different from that of Fgfr1. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that signalling downstream of Fgfr1 and 2 regulates similar processes in amphibian development. Interestingly, many of the previously identified canonical transcriptional targets of FGF regulation associated with germ layer specification and patterning are regulated by Fgfr1/Fgfr2 signalling. In contrast, the downstream consequences of Fgfr4 signalling are different, although roles for Fgfr4 signalling in lineage specification and anteroposterior patterning are also indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Brunsdon
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Harry V Isaacs
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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12
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Kim JY, Lee DH, Kim JK, Choi HS, Dwivedi B, Rupji M, Kowalski J, Green SJ, Song H, Park WJ, Chang JY, Kim TM, Park C. ETV2/ER71 regulates the generation of FLK1 + cells from mouse embryonic stem cells through miR-126-MAPK signaling. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:328. [PMID: 31744543 PMCID: PMC6862833 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies including ours have demonstrated a critical function of the transcription factor ETV2 (ets variant 2; also known as ER71) in determining the fate of cardiovascular lineage development. However, the underlying mechanisms of ETV2 function remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated the novel function of the miR (micro RNA)-126-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway in ETV2-mediated FLK1 (fetal liver kinase 1; also known as VEGFR2)+ cell generation from the mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). By performing a series of experiments including miRNA sequencing and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation)-PCR, we found that miR-126 is directly induced by ETV2. Further, we identified that miR-126 can positively regulate the generation of FLK1+ cells by activating the MAPK pathway through targeting SPRED1 (sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 1). Further, we showed evidence that JUN/FOS activate the enhancer region of FLK1 through AP1 (activator protein 1) binding sequences. Our findings provide insight into the novel molecular mechanisms of ETV2 function in regulating cardiovascular lineage development from mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Young Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Heart Research & Outcomes (HeRO) Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dong Hun Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Heart Research & Outcomes (HeRO) Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joo Kyung Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Heart Research & Outcomes (HeRO) Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hong Seo Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Bhakti Dwivedi
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Manali Rupji
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeanne Kowalski
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Present Address: Department of Oncology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Stefan J Green
- Sequencing Core, Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heesang Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, IL, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jong Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ji Young Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Changwon Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr. Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. .,Children's Heart Research & Outcomes (HeRO) Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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13
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Madelaine R, Notwell JH, Skariah G, Halluin C, Chen CC, Bejerano G, Mourrain P. A screen for deeply conserved non-coding GWAS SNPs uncovers a MIR-9-2 functional mutation associated to retinal vasculature defects in human. Nucleic Acids Res 2019. [PMID: 29518216 PMCID: PMC5909433 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Thousands of human disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) lie in the non-coding genome, but only a handful have been demonstrated to affect gene expression and human biology. We computationally identified risk-associated SNPs in deeply conserved non-exonic elements (CNEs) potentially contributing to 45 human diseases. We further demonstrated that human CNE1/rs17421627 associated with retinal vasculature defects showed transcriptional activity in the zebrafish retina, while introducing the risk-associated allele completely abolished CNE1 enhancer activity. Furthermore, deletion of CNE1 led to retinal vasculature defects and to a specific downregulation of microRNA-9, rather than MEF2C as predicted by the original genome-wide association studies. Consistent with these results, miR-9 depletion affects retinal vasculature formation, demonstrating MIR-9-2 as a critical gene underpinning the associated trait. Importantly, we validated that other CNEs act as transcriptional enhancers that can be disrupted by conserved non-coding SNPs. This study uncovers disease-associated non-coding mutations that are deeply conserved, providing a path for in vivo testing to reveal their cis-regulated genes and biological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Madelaine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Gemini Skariah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Caroline Halluin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Gill Bejerano
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Philippe Mourrain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,INSERM 1024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris, 75005, France
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14
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Gallegos TF, Kamei CN, Rohly M, Drummond IA. Fibroblast growth factor signaling mediates progenitor cell aggregation and nephron regeneration in the adult zebrafish kidney. Dev Biol 2019; 454:44-51. [PMID: 31220433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish kidney regenerates after injury by development of new nephrons from resident adult kidney stem cells. Although adult kidney progenitor cells have been characterized by transplantation and single cell RNA seq, signals that stimulate new nephron formation are not known. Here we demonstrate that fibroblast growth factors and FGF signaling is rapidly induced after kidney injury and that FGF signaling is required for recruitment of progenitor cells to sites of new nephron formation. Chemical or dominant negative blockade of Fgfr1 prevented formation of nephron progenitor cell aggregates after injury and during kidney development. Implantation of FGF soaked beads induced local aggregation of lhx1a:EGFP + kidney progenitor cells. Our results reveal a previously unexplored role for FGF signaling in recruitment of renal progenitors to sites of new nephron formation and suggest a role for FGF signaling in maintaining cell adhesion and cell polarity in newly forming kidney epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Gallegos
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Nephrology Division, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Caramai N Kamei
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Nephrology Division, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | | | - Iain A Drummond
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Nephrology Division, Boston, MA, 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School Department of Genetics, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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15
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Schneider I, Kreis J, Schweickert A, Blum M, Vick P. A dual function of FGF signaling in Xenopus left-right axis formation. Development 2019; 146:dev.173575. [PMID: 31036544 DOI: 10.1242/dev.173575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Organ left-right (LR) asymmetry is a conserved vertebrate feature, which is regulated by left-sided activation of Nodal signaling. Nodal asymmetry is established by a leftward fluid-flow generated at the ciliated LR organizer (LRO). Although the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways during mesoderm development is conserved, diverging results from different model organisms suggest a non-conserved function in LR asymmetry. Here, we demonstrate that FGF is required during gastrulation in a dual function at consecutive stages of Xenopus embryonic development. In the early gastrula, FGF is necessary for LRO precursor induction, acting in parallel with FGF-mediated mesoderm induction. During late gastrulation, the FGF/Ca2+-branch is required for specification of the flow-sensing lateral LRO cells, a function related to FGF-mediated mesoderm morphogenesis. This second function in addition requires input from the calcium channel Polycystin-2. Thus, analogous to mesoderm development, FGF activity is required in a dual role for laterality specification; namely, for generating and sensing leftward flow. Moreover, our findings in Xenopus demonstrate that FGF functions in LR development share more conserved features across vertebrate species than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Kreis
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Axel Schweickert
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Blum
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Philipp Vick
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
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16
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Mastromina I, Verrier L, Silva JC, Storey KG, Dale JK. Myc activity is required for maintenance of the neuromesodermal progenitor signalling network and for segmentation clock gene oscillations in mouse. Development 2018; 145:dev161091. [PMID: 30061166 PMCID: PMC6078331 DOI: 10.1242/dev.161091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Myc transcriptional regulators are implicated in a range of cellular functions, including proliferation, cell cycle progression, metabolism and pluripotency maintenance. Here, we investigated the expression, regulation and function of the Myc family during mouse embryonic axis elongation and segmentation. Expression of both cMyc (Myc - Mouse Genome Informatics) and MycN in the domains in which neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) and underlying caudal pre-somitic mesoderm (cPSM) cells reside is coincident with WNT and FGF signals, factors known to maintain progenitors in an undifferentiated state. Pharmacological inhibition of Myc activity downregulates expression of WNT/FGF components. In turn, we find that cMyc expression is WNT, FGF and Notch protein regulated, placing it centrally in the signalling circuit that operates in the tail end that both sustains progenitors and drives maturation of the PSM into somites. Interfering with Myc function in the PSM, where it displays oscillatory expression, delays the timing of segmentation clock oscillations and thus of somite formation. In summary, we identify Myc as a component that links NMP maintenance and PSM maturation during the body axis elongation stages of mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mastromina
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Laure Verrier
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Joana Clara Silva
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - J Kim Dale
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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17
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Suzuki A, Yoshida H, van Heeringen SJ, Takebayashi-Suzuki K, Veenstra GJC, Taira M. Genomic organization and modulation of gene expression of the TGF-β and FGF pathways in the allotetraploid frog Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2017; 426:336-359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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18
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Houston DW. Vertebrate Axial Patterning: From Egg to Asymmetry. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 953:209-306. [PMID: 27975274 PMCID: PMC6550305 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-46095-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the bilateral embryonic body axis from a symmetrical egg has been a long-standing question in developmental biology. Historical and modern experiments point to an initial symmetry-breaking event leading to localized Wnt and Nodal growth factor signaling and subsequent induction and formation of a self-regulating dorsal "organizer." This organizer forms at the site of notochord cell internalization and expresses primarily Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) growth factor antagonists that establish a spatiotemporal gradient of BMP signaling across the embryo, directing initial cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Although the basics of this model have been known for some time, many of the molecular and cellular details have only recently been elucidated and the extent that these events remain conserved throughout vertebrate evolution remains unclear. This chapter summarizes historical perspectives as well as recent molecular and genetic advances regarding: (1) the mechanisms that regulate symmetry-breaking in the vertebrate egg and early embryo, (2) the pathways that are activated by these events, in particular the Wnt pathway, and the role of these pathways in the formation and function of the organizer, and (3) how these pathways also mediate anteroposterior patterning and axial morphogenesis. Emphasis is placed on comparative aspects of the egg-to-embryo transition across vertebrates and their evolution. The future prospects for work regarding self-organization and gene regulatory networks in the context of early axis formation are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas W Houston
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, 257 BB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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19
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The neurofibromin recruitment factor Spred1 binds to the GAP related domain without affecting Ras inactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:7497-502. [PMID: 27313208 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607298113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome are related diseases with partially overlapping symptoms caused by alterations of the tumor suppressor genes NF1 (encoding the protein neurofibromin) and SPRED1 (encoding sprouty-related, EVH1 domain-containing protein 1, Spred1), respectively. Both proteins are negative regulators of Ras/MAPK signaling with neurofibromin functioning as a Ras-specific GTPase activating protein (GAP) and Spred1 acting on hitherto undefined components of the pathway. Importantly, neurofibromin has been identified as a key protein in the development of cancer, as it is genetically altered in a large number of sporadic human malignancies unrelated to NF1. Spred1 has previously been demonstrated to interact with neurofibromin via its N-terminal Ena/VASP Homology 1 (EVH1) domain and to mediate membrane translocation of its target dependent on its C-terminal Sprouty domain. However, the region of neurofibromin required for the interaction with Spred1 has remained unclear. Here we show that the EVH1 domain of Spred1 binds to the noncatalytic (GAPex) portion of the GAP-related domain (GRD) of neurofibromin. Binding is compatible with simultaneous binding of Ras and does not interfere with GAP activity. Our study points to a potential targeting function of the GAPex subdomain of neurofibromin that is present in all known canonical RasGAPs.
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20
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Identification of new regulators of embryonic patterning and morphogenesis in Xenopus gastrulae by RNA sequencing. Dev Biol 2016; 426:429-441. [PMID: 27209239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During early vertebrate embryogenesis, cell fate specification is often coupled with cell acquisition of specific adhesive, polar and/or motile behaviors. In Xenopus gastrulae, tissues fated to form different axial structures display distinct motility. The cells in the early organizer move collectively and directionally toward the animal pole and contribute to anterior mesendoderm, whereas the dorsal and the ventral-posterior trunk tissues surrounding the blastopore of mid-gastrula embryos undergo convergent extension and convergent thickening movements, respectively. While factors regulating cell lineage specification have been described in some detail, the molecular machinery that controls cell motility is not understood in depth. To gain insight into the gene battery that regulates both cell fates and motility in particular embryonic tissues, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate differentially expressed genes in the early organizer, the dorsal and the ventral marginal zone of Xenopus gastrulae. We uncovered many known signaling and transcription factors that have been reported to play roles in embryonic patterning during gastrulation. We also identified many uncharacterized genes as well as genes that encoded extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins or potential regulators of actin cytoskeleton. Co-expression of a selected subset of the differentially expressed genes with activin in animal caps revealed that they had distinct ability to block activin-induced animal cap elongation. Most of these factors did not interfere with mesodermal induction by activin, but an ECM protein, EFEMP2, inhibited activin signaling and acted downstream of the activated type I receptor. By focusing on a secreted protein kinase PKDCC1, we showed with overexpression and knockdown experiments that PKDCC1 regulated gastrulation movements as well as anterior neural patterning during early Xenopus development. Overall, our studies identify many differentially expressed signaling and cytoskeleton regulators in different embryonic regions of Xenopus gastrulae and imply their functions in regulating cell fates and/or behaviors during gastrulation.
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21
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McCarthy N, Sidik A, Bertrand JY, Eberhart JK. An Fgf-Shh signaling hierarchy regulates early specification of the zebrafish skull. Dev Biol 2016; 415:261-277. [PMID: 27060628 PMCID: PMC4967541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The neurocranium generates most of the craniofacial skeleton and consists of prechordal and postchordal regions. Although development of the prechordal is well studied, little is known of the postchordal region. Here we characterize a signaling hierarchy necessary for postchordal neurocranial development involving Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling for early specification of mesodermally-derived progenitor cells. The expression of hyaluron synthetase 2 (has2) in the cephalic mesoderm requires Fgf signaling and Has2 function, in turn, is required for postchordal neurocranial development. While Hedgehog (Hh)-deficient embryos also lack a postchordal neurocranium, this appears primarily due to a later defect in chondrocyte differentiation. Inhibitor studies demonstrate that postchordal neurocranial development requires early Fgf and later Hh signaling. Collectively, our results provide a mechanistic understanding of early postchordal neurocranial development and demonstrate a hierarchy of signaling between Fgf and Hh in the development of this structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil McCarthy
- Department of Molecular Biosciences; Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Alfire Sidik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences; Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Julien Y Bertrand
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences; Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Alcohol Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States; Department of Molecular Biosciences; Institute of Neurobiology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States.
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22
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Kiecker C, Bates T, Bell E. Molecular specification of germ layers in vertebrate embryos. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:923-47. [PMID: 26667903 PMCID: PMC4744249 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2092-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to generate the tissues and organs of a multicellular organism, different cell types have to be generated during embryonic development. The first step in this process of cellular diversification is the formation of the three germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. The ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system, epidermis and various neural crest-derived tissues, the endoderm goes on to form the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary systems as well as many endocrine glands, and the mesoderm will form the notochord, axial skeleton, cartilage, connective tissue, trunk muscles, kidneys and blood. Classic experiments in amphibian embryos revealed the tissue interactions involved in germ layer formation and provided the groundwork for the identification of secreted and intracellular factors involved in this process. We will begin this review by summarising the key findings of those studies. We will then evaluate them in the light of more recent genetic studies that helped clarify which of the previously identified factors are required for germ layer formation in vivo, and to what extent the mechanisms identified in amphibians are conserved across other vertebrate species. Collectively, these studies have started to reveal the gene regulatory network (GRN) underlying vertebrate germ layer specification and we will conclude our review by providing examples how our understanding of this GRN can be employed to differentiate stem cells in a targeted fashion for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Kiecker
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Thomas Bates
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Esther Bell
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK.
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23
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Lee H, Lee SJ, Kim GH, Yeo I, Han JK. PLD1 regulates Xenopus convergent extension movements by mediating Frizzled7 endocytosis for Wnt/PCP signal activation. Dev Biol 2016; 411:38-49. [PMID: 26806705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipase D (PLD) is involved in the regulation of receptor-associated signaling, cell movement, cell adhesion and endocytosis. However, its physiological role in vertebrate development remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that PLD1 is required for the convergent extension (CE) movements during Xenopus gastrulation by activating Wnt/PCP signaling. Xenopus PLD1 protein is specifically enriched in the dorsal region of Xenopus gastrula embryo and loss or gain-of-function of PLD1 induce defects in gastrulation and CE movements. These defective phenotypes are due to impaired regulation of Wnt/PCP signaling pathway. Biochemical and imaging analysis using Xenopus tissues reveal that PLD1 is required for Fz7 receptor endocytosis upon Wnt11 stimulation. Moreover, we show that Fz7 endocytosis depends on dynamin and regulation of GAP activity of dynamin by PLD1 via its PX domain is crucial for this process. Taken together, our results suggest that PLD1 acts as a new positive mediator of Wnt/PCP signaling by promoting Wnt11-induced Fz7 endocytosis for precise regulation of Xenopus CE movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeyoon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San31, Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Joon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San31, Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun-Hwa Kim
- Division of Life Science and Pioneer Research Center for Protein Network Exploration, Korea Basic Science Institute, 52 Eoeun-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-333, Republic of Korea; Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 305-333, Republic of Korea
| | - Inchul Yeo
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San31, Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kwan Han
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San31, Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Brewer JR, Molotkov A, Mazot P, Hoch RV, Soriano P. Fgfr1 regulates development through the combinatorial use of signaling proteins. Genes Dev 2015; 29:1863-74. [PMID: 26341559 PMCID: PMC4573858 DOI: 10.1101/gad.264994.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Brewer et al. engineered an allelic series of knock-in point mutations designed to disrupt Fgfr1 signaling functions individually and in combination. They found that, in addition to Frs2, Crk proteins and Plcγ also contribute to Erk1/2 activation. Disruption of all known signaling functions diminished Erk1/2 and Plcγ activation but did not recapitulate the peri-implantation Fgfr1-null phenotype. Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling governs multiple processes important in development and disease. Many lines of evidence have implicated Erk1/2 signaling induced through Frs2 as the predominant effector pathway downstream from Fgf receptors (Fgfrs), but these receptors can also signal through other mechanisms. To explore the functional significance of the full range of signaling downstream from Fgfrs in mice, we engineered an allelic series of knock-in point mutations designed to disrupt Fgfr1 signaling functions individually and in combination. Analysis of each mutant indicates that Frs2 binding to Fgfr1 has the most pleiotropic functions in development but also that the receptor uses multiple proteins additively in vivo. In addition to Frs2, Crk proteins and Plcγ also contribute to Erk1/2 activation, affecting axis elongation and craniofacial and limb development and providing a biochemical mechanism for additive signaling requirements. Disruption of all known signaling functions diminished Erk1/2 and Plcγ activation but did not recapitulate the peri-implantation Fgfr1-null phenotype. This suggests that Erk1/2-independent signaling pathways are functionally important for Fgf signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Richard Brewer
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Andrei Molotkov
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Pierre Mazot
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Renée V Hoch
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Philippe Soriano
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA; Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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25
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Mechanisms of FGF gradient formation during embryogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 53:94-100. [PMID: 26454099 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have long been attributed to influence morphogenesis in embryonic development. Signaling by FGF morphogen encodes positional identity of tissues by creating a concentration gradient over the developing embryo. Various mechanisms that influence the development of such gradient have been elucidated in the recent past. These mechanisms of FGF gradient formation present either as an extracellular control over FGF ligand diffusion or as a subcellular control of FGF propagation and signaling. In this review, we describe our current understanding of FGF as a morphogen, the extracellular control of FGF gradient formation by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and mechanisms of intracellular regulation of FGF signaling that influence gradient formation.
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Atsuta Y, Takahashi Y. FGF8 coordinates tissue elongation and cell epithelialization during early kidney tubulogenesis. Development 2015; 142:2329-37. [PMID: 26130757 PMCID: PMC4510593 DOI: 10.1242/dev.122408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
When a tubular structure forms during early embryogenesis, tubular elongation and lumen formation (epithelialization) proceed simultaneously in a spatiotemporally coordinated manner. We here demonstrate, using the Wolffian duct (WD) of early chicken embryos, that this coordination is regulated by the expression of FGF8, which shifts posteriorly during body axis elongation. FGF8 acts as a chemoattractant on the leader cells of the elongating WD and prevents them from epithelialization, whereas static (‘rear’) cells that receive progressively less FGF8 undergo epithelialization to form a lumen. Thus, FGF8 acts as a binary switch that distinguishes tubular elongation from lumen formation. The posteriorly shifting FGF8 is also known to regulate somite segmentation, suggesting that multiple types of tissue morphogenesis are coordinately regulated by macroscopic changes in body growth. Highlighted article: Body axis elongation is regulated by posterior FGF8 signals . In chicken, nephric duct extension also requires this FGF8 signal, while low FGF8 anteriorly triggers duct lumen formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Atsuta
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Takahashi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
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Comparative, transcriptome analysis of self-organizing optic tissues. Sci Data 2015; 2:150030. [PMID: 26110066 PMCID: PMC4477696 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2015.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells have a remarkable capacity to self-organize complex, multi-layered optic cups in vitro via a culture technique called SFEBq. During both SFEBq and in vivo optic cup development, Rax (Rx) expressing neural retina epithelial (NRE) tissues utilize Fgf and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways to differentiate into neural retina (NR) and retinal-pigmented epithelial (RPE) tissues, respectively. How these signaling pathways affect gene expression during optic tissue formation has remained largely unknown, especially at the transcriptome scale. Here, we address this question using RNA-Seq. We generated Rx+ optic tissue using SFEBq, exposed these tissues to either Fgf or Wnt/β-catenin stimulation, and assayed their gene expression across multiple time points using RNA-Seq. This comparative dataset will help elucidate how Fgf and Wnt/β-catenin signaling affect gene expression during optic tissue differentiation and will help inform future efforts to optimize in vitro optic tissue culture technology.
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Mühl B, Hägele J, Tasdogan A, Loula P, Schuh K, Bundschu K. SPREDs (Sprouty related proteins with EVH1 domain) promote self-renewal and inhibit mesodermal differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:591-606. [PMID: 25690936 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pluripotency, self-renewal, and differentiation are special features of embryonic stem (ES) cells, thereby providing valuable perspectives in regenerative medicine. Developmental processes require a fine-tuned organization, mainly regulated by the well-known JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, and ERK/MAPK pathways. SPREDs (Sprouty related proteins with EVH1 domain) were discovered as inhibitors of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, whereas nothing was known about their functions in ES cells and during early differentiation, so far. RESULTS We generated SPRED1 and SPRED2 overexpressing and SPRED2 knockout murine ES cells to analyze the functions of SPRED proteins in ES cells and during early differentiation. Overexpression of SPREDs increases significantly the self-renewal and clonogenicity of murine ES cells, whereas lack of SPRED2 reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis. During early differentiation in embryoid bodies, SPREDs promote the pluripotent state and inhibit differentiation whereby mesodermal differentiation into cardiomyocytes is considerably delayed and inhibited. LIF- and growth factor-stimulation revealed that SPREDs inhibit ERK/MAPK activation in murine ES cells. However, no effects were detectable on LIF-induced activation of the JAK/STAT3, or PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SPRED proteins. CONCLUSIONS We show that SPREDs promote self-renewal and inhibit mesodermal differentiation of murine ES cells by selective suppression of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in pluripotent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Mühl
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany; Laboratory for Human Genetics, Martinsried, Germany
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Wang J, Rhee S, Palaria A, Tremblay KD. FGF signaling is required for anterior but not posterior specification of the murine liver bud. Dev Dyn 2014; 244:431-43. [PMID: 25302779 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24215] [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: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The definitive endoderm arises as a naive epithelial sheet that produces the entire gut tube and associated organs including the liver, pancreas and lungs. Murine explant studies demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling from adjacent tissues is required to induce hepatic gene expression from isolated foregut endoderm. The requirement of FGF signaling during liver development is examined by means of small molecule inhibition during whole embryo culture. RESULTS Loss of FGF signaling before hepatic induction results in morphological defects and gene expression changes that are confined to the anterior liver bud. In contrast the posterior portion of the liver bud remains relatively unaffected. Because FGF is thought to act as a morphogen during endoderm organogenesis, the ventral pancreas was also examined after FGF inhibition. Although the size of the ventral pancreas is not affected, loss of FGF signaling results in a significantly higher density of ventral pancreas cells. CONCLUSIONS The requirement for FGF-mediated induction of hepatic gene expression differs across the anterior/posterior axis of the developing liver bud. These results underscore the importance of studying tissue differentiation in the context of the whole embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikui Wang
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
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Rankin SA, Thi Tran H, Wlizla M, Mancini P, Shifley ET, Bloor SD, Han L, Vleminckx K, Wert SE, Zorn AM. A Molecular atlas of Xenopus respiratory system development. Dev Dyn 2014; 244:69-85. [PMID: 25156440 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory system development is regulated by a complex series of endoderm-mesoderm interactions that are not fully understood. Recently Xenopus has emerged as an alternative model to investigate early respiratory system development, but the extent to which the morphogenesis and molecular pathways involved are conserved between Xenopus and mammals has not been systematically documented. RESULTS In this study, we provide a histological and molecular atlas of Xenopus respiratory system development, focusing on Nkx2.1+ respiratory cell fate specification in the developing foregut. We document the expression patterns of Wnt/β-catenin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling components in the foregut and show that the molecular mechanisms of respiratory lineage induction are remarkably conserved between Xenopus and mice. Finally, using several functional experiments we refine the epistatic relationships among FGF, Wnt, and BMP signaling in early Xenopus respiratory system development. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that Xenopus trachea and lung development, before metamorphosis, is comparable at the cellular and molecular levels to embryonic stages of mouse respiratory system development between embryonic days 8.5 and 10.5. This molecular atlas provides a fundamental starting point for further studies using Xenopus as a model to define the conserved genetic programs controlling early respiratory system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Rankin
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Chatfield J, O'Reilly MA, Bachvarova RF, Ferjentsik Z, Redwood C, Walmsley M, Patient R, Loose M, Johnson AD. Stochastic specification of primordial germ cells from mesoderm precursors in axolotl embryos. Development 2014; 141:2429-40. [PMID: 24917499 PMCID: PMC4050694 DOI: 10.1242/dev.105346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
A common feature of development in most vertebrate models is the early segregation of the germ line from the soma. For example, in Xenopus and zebrafish embryos primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified by germ plasm that is inherited from the egg; in mice, Blimp1 expression in the epiblast mediates the commitment of cells to the germ line. How these disparate mechanisms of PGC specification evolved is unknown. Here, in order to identify the ancestral mechanism of PGC specification in vertebrates, we studied PGC specification in embryos from the axolotl (Mexican salamander), a model for the tetrapod ancestor. In the axolotl, PGCs develop within mesoderm, and classic studies have reported their induction from primitive ectoderm (animal cap). We used an axolotl animal cap system to demonstrate that signalling through FGF and BMP4 induces PGCs. The role of FGF was then confirmed in vivo. We also showed PGC induction by Brachyury, in the presence of BMP4. These conditions induced pluripotent mesodermal precursors that give rise to a variety of somatic cell types, in addition to PGCs. Irreversible restriction of the germ line did not occur until the mid-tailbud stage, days after the somatic germ layers are established. Before this, germline potential was maintained by MAP kinase signalling. We propose that this stochastic mechanism of PGC specification, from mesodermal precursors, is conserved in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Chatfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Marie-Anne O'Reilly
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rosemary F Bachvarova
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Zoltan Ferjentsik
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Catherine Redwood
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Maggie Walmsley
- Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Roger Patient
- Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Mathew Loose
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Andrew D Johnson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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Fukaya T, Someya K, Hibino S, Okada M, Yamane H, Taniguchi K, Yoshimura A. Loss of Sprouty4 in T cells ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice by negatively regulating IL-1β receptor expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 447:471-8. [PMID: 24732356 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Th17 cells, which have been implicated in autoimmune diseases, require IL-6 and TGF-β for early differentiation. To gain pathogenicity, however, Th17 cells require IL-1β and IL-23. The underlying mechanism by which these confer pathogenicity is not well understood. Here we show that Sprouty4, an inhibitor of the PLCγ-ERK pathway, critically regulates inflammatory Th17 (iTh17) cell differentiation. Sprouty4-deficient mice, as well as mice adoptively transferred with Sprouty4-deficient T cells, were resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) and showed decreased Th17 cell generation in vivo. In vitro, Sprouty4 deficiency did not severely affect TGF-β/IL-6-induced Th17 cell generation but strongly impaired Th17 differentiation induced by IL-1/IL-6/IL-23. Analysis of Th17-related gene expression revealed that Sprouty4-deficient Th17 cells expressed lower levels of IL-1R1 and IL-23R, while RORγt levels were similar. Consistently, overexpression of Sprouty4 or pharmacological inhibition of ERK upregulated IL-1R1 expression in primary T cells. Thus, Sprouty4 and ERK play a critical role in developing iTh17 cells in Th17 cell-driven autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Fukaya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Kazue Someya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Sana Hibino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Masahiro Okada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Humitsugu Yamane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Koji Taniguchi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), CREST, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan.
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Abstract
Animal development requires a carefully orchestrated cascade of cell fate specification events and cellular movements. A surprisingly small number of choreographed cellular behaviours are used repeatedly to shape the animal body plan. Among these, cell intercalation lengthens or spreads a tissue at the expense of narrowing along an orthogonal axis. Key steps in the polarization of both mediolaterally and radially intercalating cells have now been clarified. In these different contexts, intercalation seems to require a distinct combination of mechanisms, including adhesive changes that allow cells to rearrange, cytoskeletal events through which cells exert the forces needed for cell neighbour exchange, and in some cases the regulation of these processes through planar cell polarity.
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A functional genome-wide in vivo screen identifies new regulators of signalling pathways during early Xenopus embryogenesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79469. [PMID: 24244509 PMCID: PMC3828355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development requires exquisite regulation of several essential processes, such as patterning of tissues and organs, cell fate decisions, and morphogenesis. Intriguingly, these diverse processes are controlled by only a handful of signalling pathways, and mis-regulation in one or more of these pathways may result in a variety of congenital defects and diseases. Consequently, investigating how these signalling pathways are regulated at the molecular level is essential to understanding the mechanisms underlying vertebrate embryogenesis, as well as developing treatments for human diseases. Here, we designed and performed a large-scale gain-of-function screen in Xenopus embryos aimed at identifying new regulators of MAPK/Erk, PI3K/Akt, BMP, and TGF-β/Nodal signalling pathways. Our gain-of-function screen is based on the identification of gene products that alter the phosphorylation state of key signalling molecules, which report the activation state of the pathways. In total, we have identified 20 new molecules that regulate the activity of one or more signalling pathways during early Xenopus development. This is the first time that such a functional screen has been performed, and the findings pave the way toward a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of important signalling pathways under normal and pathological conditions.
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35
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Gharibi B, Cama G, Capurro M, Thompson I, Deb S, Di Silvio L, Hughes FJ. Gene expression responses to mechanical stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells seeded on calcium phosphate cement. Tissue Eng Part A 2013; 19:2426-38. [PMID: 23968499 PMCID: PMC3807700 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2012.0623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the molecular responses of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to loading with a model that attempts to closely mimic the physiological mechanical loading of bone, using monetite calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds to mimic the biomechanical properties of bone and a bioreactor to induce appropriate load and strain. METHODS Human MSCs were seeded onto CaP scaffolds and subjected to a pulsating compressive force of 5.5±4.5 N at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. Early molecular responses to mechanical loading were assessed by microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and activation of signal transduction cascades was evaluated by western blotting analysis. RESULTS The maximum mechanical strain on cell/scaffolds was calculated at around 0.4%. After 2 h of loading, a total of 100 genes were differentially expressed. The largest cluster of genes activated with 2 h stimulation was the regulator of transcription, and it included FOSB. There were also changes in genes involved in cell cycle and regulation of protein kinase cascades. When cells were rested for 6 h after mechanical stimulation, gene expression returned to normal. Further resting for a total of 22 h induced upregulation of 63 totally distinct genes that were mainly involved in cell surface receptor signal transduction and regulation of metabolic and cell division processes. In addition, the osteogenic transcription factor RUNX-2 was upregulated. Twenty-four hours of persistent loading also markedly induced osterix expression. Mechanical loading resulted in upregulation of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and the gene expression study identified a number of possible genes (SPRY2, RIPK1, SPRED2, SERTAD1, TRIB1, and RAPGEF2) that may regulate this process. CONCLUSION The results suggest that mechanical loading activates a small number of immediate-early response genes that are mainly associated with transcriptional regulation, which subsequently results in activation of a wider group of genes including those associated with osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. The results provide a valuable insight into molecular events and signal transduction pathways involved in the regulation of MSC osteogenic differentiation in response to a physiological level of mechanical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borzo Gharibi
- Department of Periodontology, Dental Institute, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Cama
- Department of Dental Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Capurro
- Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ian Thompson
- Department of Dental Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjukta Deb
- Department of Dental Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Di Silvio
- Department of Dental Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francis John Hughes
- Department of Periodontology, Dental Institute, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
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Li J, Zhang S, Soto X, Woolner S, Amaya E. ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase temporally coordinate different modes of actin-based motility during embryonic wound healing. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:5005-17. [PMID: 23986484 PMCID: PMC3820245 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.133421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic wound healing provides a perfect example of efficient recovery of tissue integrity and homeostasis, which is vital for survival. Tissue movement in embryonic wound healing requires two functionally distinct actin structures: a contractile actomyosin cable and actin protrusions at the leading edge. Here, we report that the discrete formation and function of these two structures is achieved by the temporal segregation of two intracellular upstream signals and distinct downstream targets. The sequential activation of ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling divides Xenopus embryonic wound healing into two phases. In the first phase, activated ERK suppresses PI3K activity, and is responsible for the activation of Rho and myosin-2, which drives actomyosin cable formation and constriction. The second phase is dominated by restored PI3K signalling, which enhances Rac and Cdc42 activity, leading to the formation of actin protrusions that drive migration and zippering. These findings reveal a new mechanism for coordinating different modes of actin-based motility in a complex tissue setting, namely embryonic wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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Wang XG, Shao F, Wang HJ, Yang L, Yu JF, Gong DQ, Gu ZL. MicroRNA-126 expression is decreased in cultured primary chicken hepatocytes and targets the sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 1 mRNA. Poult Sci 2013; 92:1888-96. [PMID: 23776277 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2012-02919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The microRNA-126 (miR-126) is a miRNA expressed in highly vascularized tissues, and it is believed to play a role in angiogenesis by repressing sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 1 (Spred1). In the current study, we determined the expression pattern of chicken miR-126 (gga-miR-126) and predicted and validated its target genes. The quantitative reverse-transcription (qRT) PCR analysis showed that miR-126 was expressed in various chicken tissues with the highest level in lung. In liver, the expression level of miR-126 increased from 0 to 7 wk of age. The expression of miR-126 in primary chicken hepatocytes decreased with culturing. A miR-126 binding site was predicted in the 3' UTR (untranslated region) of chicken Spred1. Dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that miR-126 could bind to the predicted site to repress the expression of Spred1. These data validate Spred1 as a target gene of chicken miR-126. These results will help further understand the function and regulation of miR-126 and Spred1 in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Guo Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
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38
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Generation and interpretation of FGF morphogen gradients in vertebrates. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2013; 23:415-22. [PMID: 23669552 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Signalling via fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) is involved in multiple aspects of vertebrate development. In several instances FGFs act as morphogens, that is secreted signalling molecules that encode positional information in their graded distribution throughout their target tissue. In recent years, work in the zebrafish model system has been instrumental in addressing the cell biological basis of FGF morphogen gradient formation and interpretation. These experiments have benefitted from the optical properties of the zebrafish embryo that render this vertebrate organism particularly suited for advanced microscopic and biophysical approaches.
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Yue Z, Jiang TX, Wu P, Widelitz RB, Chuong CM. Sprouty/FGF signaling regulates the proximal-distal feather morphology and the size of dermal papillae. Dev Biol 2012; 372:45-54. [PMID: 23000358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In a feather, there are distinct morphologies along the proximal-distal axis. The proximal part is a cylindrical stalk (calamus), whereas the distal part has barb and barbule branches. Here we focus on what molecular signaling activity can modulate feather stem cells to generate these distinct morphologies. We demonstrate the drastic tissue remodeling during feather cycling which includes initiation, growth and resting phases. In the growth phase, epithelial components undergo progressive changes from the collar growth zone to the ramogenic zone, to maturing barb branches along the proximal-distal axis. Mesenchymal components also undergo progressive changes from the dermal papilla, to the collar mesenchyme, to the pulp along the proximal-distal axis. Over-expression of Spry4, a negative regulator of receptor tyrosine kinases, promotes barb branch formation at the expense of the epidermal collar. It even induces barb branches from the follicle sheath (equivalent to the outer root sheath in hair follicles). The results are feathers with expanded feather vane regions and small or missing proximal feather shafts (the calamus). Spry4 also expands the pulp region while reducing the size of dermal papillae, leading to a failure to regenerate. In contrast, over-expressing Fgf10 increases the size of the dermal papillae, expands collar epithelia and mesenchyme, but also prevents feather branch formation and feather keratin differentiation. These results suggest that coordinated Sprouty/FGF pathway activity at different stages is important to modulate feather epidermal stem cells to form distinct feather morphologies along the proximal-distal feather axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicao Yue
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
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40
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Le Bouffant R, Wang JH, Futel M, Buisson I, Umbhauer M, Riou JF. Retinoic acid-dependent control of MAP kinase phosphatase-3 is necessary for early kidney development in Xenopus. Biol Cell 2012; 104:516-32. [DOI: 10.1111/boc.201200005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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41
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Basson MA. Signaling in cell differentiation and morphogenesis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012; 4:cshperspect.a008151. [PMID: 22570373 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a008151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
All the information to make a complete, fully functional living organism is encoded within the genome of the fertilized oocyte. How is this genetic code translated into the vast array of cellular behaviors that unfold during the course of embryonic development, as the zygote slowly morphs into a new organism? Studies over the last 30 years or so have shown that many of these cellular processes are driven by secreted or membrane-bound signaling molecules. Elucidating how the genetic code is translated into instructions or signals during embryogenesis, how signals are generated at the correct time and place and at the appropriate level, and finally, how these instructions are interpreted and put into action, are some of the central questions of developmental biology. Our understanding of the causes of congenital malformations and disease has improved substantially with the rapid advances in our knowledge of signaling pathways and their regulation during development. In this article, I review some of the signaling pathways that play essential roles during embryonic development. These examples show some of the mechanisms used by cells to receive and interpret developmental signals. I also discuss how signaling pathways downstream from these signals are regulated and how they induce specific cellular responses that ultimately affect cell fate and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Albert Basson
- Department of Craniofacial Development, King's College London, United Kingdom.
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Bonacci G, Fletcher J, Devani M, Dwivedi H, Keller R, Chang C. The cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Arg regulates gastrulation via control of actin organization. Dev Biol 2012; 364:42-55. [PMID: 22305799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Coordinated cell movements are crucial for vertebrate gastrulation and are controlled by multiple signals. Although many factors are shown to mediate non-canonical Wnt pathways to regulate cell polarity and intercalation during gastrulation, signaling molecules acting in other pathways are less investigated and the connections between various signals and cytoskeleton are not well understood. In this study, we show that the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Arg modulates gastrulation movements through control of actin remodeling. Arg is expressed in the dorsal mesoderm at the onset of gastrulation, and both gain- and loss-of-function of Arg disrupted axial development in Xenopus embryos. Arg controlled migration of anterior mesendoderm, influenced cell decision on individual versus collective migration, and modulated spreading and protrusive activities of anterior mesendodermal cells. Arg also regulated convergent extension of the trunk mesoderm by influencing cell intercalation behaviors. Arg modulated actin organization to control dynamic F-actin distribution at the cell-cell contact or in membrane protrusions. The functions of Arg required an intact tyrosine kinase domain but not the actin-binding motifs in its carboxyl terminus. Arg acted downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases to regulate phosphorylation of endogenous CrkII and paxillin, adaptor proteins involved in activation of Rho family GTPases and actin reorganization. Our data demonstrate that Arg is a crucial cytoplasmic signaling molecule that controls dynamic actin remodeling and mesodermal cell behaviors during Xenopus gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Bonacci
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Song K, Gao Q, Zhou J, Qiu SJ, Huang XW, Wang XY, Fan J. Prognostic significance and clinical relevance of Sprouty 2 protein expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2012; 11:177-84. [PMID: 22484587 DOI: 10.1016/s1499-3872(12)60145-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vitro experiments and mice models have confirmed the importance of Sprouty 2 (Spry2) in inhibiting tumorigenesis and the progression of human cancer. However, the prognostic value of Spry2 in cancer patients remains unknown. This study is aimed to investigate the clinical relevance and prognostic significance of Spry2 expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS With samples from 240 randomly-selected HCC patients who underwent surgery, immunohistochemistry was used to investigate Spry2 expression on tissue microarrays. The correlation of Spry2 expression with survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Spry2, ERK and phospho-ERK expression in HCC cell lines was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS Among the patients, 86.3% (207 of 240) exhibited down-regulation of Spry2 expression. Patients negative for Spry2 showed poorer survival (P=0.002) and increased recurrence (P=0.003). Multivariate analysis further established Spry2 as an independent predictor of postoperative recurrence in HCC patients (HR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.02-2.08; P=0.037). Down-regulation of Spry2 was associated with highly malignant phenotypes like vascular invasion and advanced tumor stages, and was positively correlated with the metastatic potential of HCC cell lines. CONCLUSION In the era of molecular targeted therapy, the expression of Spry2 in HCC may have relevant clinical significance and turn out to be a key factor in prognostic assessment and in treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Song
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Hashimoto S, Nakano H, Suguta Y, Irie S, Jianhua L, Katyal SL. Exogenous fibroblast growth factor-10 induces cystic lung development with altered target gene expression in the presence of heparin in cultures of embryonic rat lung. Pathobiology 2012; 79:127-43. [PMID: 22261751 DOI: 10.1159/000334839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Signaling by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) 2IIIb regulates branching morphogenesis in the mammalian lung. FGFR2IIIb is primarily expressed in epithelial cells, whereas its ligands, FGF-10 and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; FGF-7), are expressed in mesenchymal cells. FGF-10 null mice lack lungs, whereas KGF null animals have normal lung development, indicating that FGF-10 regulates lung branching morphogenesis. In this study, we determined the effects of FGF-10 on lung branching morphogenesis and accompanying gene expression in cultures of embryonic rat lungs. METHODS Embryonic day 14 rat lungs were cultured with FGF-10 (0-250 ng/ml) in the absence or presence of heparin (30 ng/ml) for 4 days. Gene expression profiles were analyzed by Affymetrix microchip array including pathway analysis. Some of these genes, functionally important in FGF-10 signaling, were further analyzed by Northern blot, real-time PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Exogenous FGF-10 inhibited branching and induced cystic lung growth only in cultures containing heparin. In total, 252 upregulated genes and 164 downregulated genes were identified, and these included Spry1 (Sprouty-1), Spry2 (Sprouty-2), Spred-1, Bmp4 (bone morphogenetic protein-4, BMP-4), Shh (sonic hedgehog, SHH), Pthlh (parathyroid hormone-related protein, PTHrP), Dusp6 (MAP kinase phosphatase-3, MKP-3) and Clic4 (chloride intracellular channel-4, CLIC-4) among the upregulated genes and Igf1 (insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1), Tcf21 (POD), Gyg1 (glycogenin 1), Sparc (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, SPARC), Pcolce (procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer protein, Pro CEP) and Lox (lysyl oxidase) among the downregulated genes. Gsk3β and Wnt2, which are involved in canonical Wnt signaling, were up- and downregulated, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Unlike FGF-7, FGF-10 effects on lung branching morphogenesis are heparin-dependent. Sprouty-2, BMP-4, SHH, IGF-1, SPARC and POD are known to regulate branching morphogenesis; however, potential roles of CLIC-4 and MKP-3 in lung branching morphogenesis remain to be investigated. FGF-10 may also function in regulating branching morphogenesis or inducing cystic lung growth by inhibiting Wnt2/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Hashimoto
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
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Ehrlich LS, Medina GN, Carter CA. Sprouty2 regulates PI(4,5)P2/Ca2+ signaling and HIV-1 Gag release. J Mol Biol 2011; 410:716-25. [PMID: 21762810 PMCID: PMC3139110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.04.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We reported recently that activation of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) is required for efficient HIV-1 Gag trafficking and viral particle release. IP3R activation requires phospholipase C (PLC)-catalyzed hydrolysis of PI(4,5)P(2) to IP3 and diacylglycerol. We show that Sprouty2 (Spry2), which binds PI(4,5)P(2) and PLCγ, interfered with PI(4,5)P(2) in a manner similar to that of U73122, an inhibitor of PI(4,5)P(2) hydrolysis, suggesting that Spry2 negatively regulates IP3R by preventing formation of its activating ligand, IP3. Mutation to Asp of R252, a crucial determinant of PI(4,5)P(2) binding in the C-terminal domain of Spry2, prevented the interference, indicating that binding to the phospholipid is required. By contrast, deletion of the PLCγ binding region or mutation of a critical Tyr residue in the region did not prevent the interference but Spry2-PI(4,5)P(2) colocalization was not detected, suggesting that PLC binding is required for their stable association. Like U73122, Spry2 over-expression inhibited wild type Gag release as virus-like particles. Disrupting either binding determinant relieved the inhibition. IP3R-mediated Ca(2+)signaling, in turn, was found to influence Spry2 subcellular distribution and ERK, a Spry2 regulator. Our findings suggest that Spry2 influences IP3R function through control of PI(4,5)P(2) and IP3R influences Spry2 function by controlling its distribution and ERK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna S Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5222, USA
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Amphioxus FGF signaling predicts the acquisition of vertebrate morphological traits. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:9160-5. [PMID: 21571634 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1014235108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
FGF signaling is one of the few cell-cell signaling pathways conserved among all metazoans. The diversity of FGF gene content among different phyla suggests that evolution of FGF signaling may have participated in generating the current variety of animal forms. Vertebrates possess the greatest number of FGF genes, the functional evolution of which may have been implicated in the acquisition of vertebrate-specific morphological traits. In this study, we have investigated the roles of the FGF signal during embryogenesis of the cephalochordate amphioxus, the best proxy for the chordate ancestor. We first isolate the full FGF gene complement and determine the evolutionary relationships between amphioxus and vertebrate FGFs via phylogenetic and synteny conservation analysis. Using pharmacological treatments, we inhibit the FGF signaling pathway in amphioxus embryos in different time windows. Our results show that the requirement for FGF signaling during gastrulation is a conserved character among chordates, whereas this signal is not necessary for neural induction in amphioxus, in contrast to what is known in vertebrates. We also show that FGF signal, acting through the MAPK pathway, is necessary for the formation of the most anterior somites in amphioxus, whereas more posterior somite formation is not FGF-dependent. This result leads us to propose that modification of the FGF signal function in the anterior paraxial mesoderm in an amphioxus-like vertebrate ancestor might have contributed to the loss of segmentation in the preotic paraxial mesoderm of the vertebrate head.
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Tomás AR, Certal AC, Rodríguez-León J. FLRT3 as a key player on chick limb development. Dev Biol 2011; 355:324-33. [PMID: 21575622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Limb outgrowth is maintained by a specialized group of cells, the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), a thickening of the limb epithelium at its distal tip. It has been shown that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activity and activation of the Erk pathway are crucial for AER function. Recently, FLRT3, a transmembrane protein able to interact with FGF receptors, has been implicated in the activation of ERK by FGFs. In this study, we show that flrt3 expression is restricted to the AER, co-localizing its expression with fgf8 and pERK activity. Loss-of-function studies have shown that silencing of flrt3 affects the integrity of the AER and, subsequently, its proper function during limb bud outgrowth. Our data also indicate that flrt3 expression is not regulated by FGF activity in the AER, whereas ectopic WNT3A is able to induce flrt3 expression. Overall, our findings show that flrt3 is a key player during chicken limb development, being necessary but not sufficient for proper AER formation and maintenance under the control of BMP and WNT signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Tomás
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal.
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Li L, Jing N. Pluripotent stem cell studies elucidate the underlying mechanisms of early embryonic development. Genes (Basel) 2011; 2:298-312. [PMID: 24710192 PMCID: PMC3924820 DOI: 10.3390/genes2020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Early embryonic development is a multi-step process that is intensively regulated by various signaling pathways. Because of the complexity of the embryo and the interactions between the germ layers, it is very difficult to fully understand how these signals regulate embryo patterning. Recently, pluripotent stem cell lines derived from different developmental stages have provided an in vitro system for investigating molecular mechanisms regulating cell fate decisions. In this review, we summarize the major functions of the BMP, FGF, Nodal and Wnt signaling pathways, which have well-established roles in vertebrate embryogenesis. Then, we highlight recent studies in pluripotent stem cells that have revealed the stage-specific roles of BMP,FGF and Nodal pathways during neural differentiation. These findings enhance our understanding of the stepwise regulation of embryo patterning by particular signaling pathways and provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Naihe Jing
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Hardy KM, Yatskievych TA, Konieczka J, Bobbs AS, Antin PB. FGF signalling through RAS/MAPK and PI3K pathways regulates cell movement and gene expression in the chicken primitive streak without affecting E-cadherin expression. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2011; 11:20. [PMID: 21418646 PMCID: PMC3071786 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-11-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background FGF signalling regulates numerous aspects of early embryo development. During gastrulation in amniotes, epiblast cells undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the primitive streak to form the mesoderm and endoderm. In mice lacking FGFR1, epiblast cells in the primitive streak fail to downregulate E-cadherin and undergo EMT, and cell migration is inhibited. This study investigated how FGF signalling regulates cell movement and gene expression in the primitive streak of chicken embryos. Results We find that pharmacological inhibition of FGFR activity blocks migration of cells through the primitive streak of chicken embryos without apparent alterations in the level or intracellular localization of E-cadherin. E-cadherin protein is localized to the periphery of epiblast, primitive streak and some mesodermal cells. FGFR inhibition leads to downregulation of a large number of regulatory genes in the preingression epiblast adjacent to the primitive streak, the primitive streak and the newly formed mesoderm. This includes members of the FGF, NOTCH, EPH, PDGF, and canonical and non-canonical WNT pathways, negative modulators of these pathways, and a large number of transcriptional regulatory genes. SNAI2 expression in the primitive streak and mesoderm is not altered by FGFR inhibition, but is downregulated only in the preingression epiblast region with no significant effect on E-cadherin. Furthermore, over expression of SNAIL has no discernable effect on E-cadherin protein levels or localization in epiblast, primitive streak or mesodermal cells. FGFR activity modulates distinct downstream pathways including RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT. Pharmacological inhibition of MEK or AKT indicate that these downstream effectors control discrete and overlapping groups of genes during gastrulation. FGFR activity regulates components of several pathways known to be required for cell migration through the streak or in the mesoderm, including RHOA, the non-canonical WNT pathway, PDGF signalling and the cell adhesion protein N-cadherin. Conclusions In chicken embryos, FGF signalling regulates cell movement through the primitive streak by mechanisms that appear to be independent of changes in E-cadherin expression or protein localization. The positive and negative effects on large groups of genes by pharmacological inhibition of FGF signalling, including major signalling pathways and transcription factor families, indicates that the FGF pathway is a focal point of regulation during gastrulation in chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Hardy
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Arizona, Medical Research Building, 1656 E, Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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Wehner P, Shnitsar I, Urlaub H, Borchers A. RACK1 is a novel interaction partner of PTK7 that is required for neural tube closure. Development 2011; 138:1321-7. [PMID: 21350015 DOI: 10.1242/dev.056291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
RACK1 is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular adaptor protein that is involved in a wide range of processes including cell adhesion and migration; however, its role in vertebrate development is largely unknown. Here, we identify RACK1 as a novel interaction partner of PTK7, a regulator of planar cell polarity that is necessary for neural tube closure. RACK1 is likewise required for Xenopus neural tube closure. Further, explant assays suggest that PTK7 and RACK1 are required for neural convergent extension. Mechanistically, RACK1 is necessary for the PTK7-mediated membrane localization of Dishevelled (DSH). RACK1 facilitates the PTK7-DSH interaction by recruiting PKCδ1, a known effector of DSH membrane translocation. These data place RACK1 in a novel signaling cascade that translocates DSH to the plasma membrane and regulates vertebrate neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wehner
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain, GZMB, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
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