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Belcher B, Vestal J, Lane S, Kell M, Smith L, Camarata T. The zebrafish paralog six2b is required for early proximal pronephros morphogenesis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19699. [PMID: 37952044 PMCID: PMC10640633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Six2 plays a crucial role in maintaining self-renewing nephron progenitor cap mesenchyme (CM) during metanephric kidney development. In mouse and human, expression at single-cell resolution has detected Six2 in cells as they leave the CM pool and differentiate. The role Six2 may play in these cells as they differentiate remains unknown. Here, we took advantage of the zebrafish pronephric kidney which forms directly from intermediate mesoderm to test six2b function during pronephric tubule development and differentiation. Expression of six2b during early zebrafish development was consistent with a role in pronephros formation. Using morpholino knock-down and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we show a functional role for six2b in the development of proximal elements of the pronephros. By 48 h post-fertilization, six2b morphants and mutants showed disrupted pronephric tubule morphogenesis. We observed a lower-than-expected frequency of phenotypes in six2b stable genetic mutants suggesting compensation. Supporting this, we detected increased expression of six2a in six2b stable mutant embryos. To further confirm six2b function, F0 crispant embryos were analyzed and displayed similar phenotypes as morphants and stable mutants. Together our data suggests a conserved role for Six2 during nephrogenesis and a role in the morphogenesis of the proximal tubule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beau Belcher
- Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA
| | - Justin Vestal
- Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA
| | - Samuel Lane
- Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA
| | - Margaret Kell
- Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA
| | - Luke Smith
- Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA
| | - Troy Camarata
- Biomedical Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA.
- Biomedical Sciences, Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Baptist Health Sciences University, 1003 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA.
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2
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Pal DS, Lin Y, Zhan H, Banerjee T, Kuhn J, Providence S, Devreotes PN. Optogenetic modulation of guanine nucleotide exchange factors of Ras superfamily proteins directly controls cell shape and movement. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1195806. [PMID: 37492221 PMCID: PMC10363612 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1195806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article, we provide detailed protocols on using optogenetic dimerizers to acutely perturb activities of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) specific to Ras, Rac or Rho small GTPases of the migratory networks in various mammalian and amoeba cell lines. These GEFs are crucial components of signal transduction networks which link upstream G-protein coupled receptors to downstream cytoskeletal components and help cells migrate through their dynamic microenvironment. Conventional approaches to perturb and examine these signaling and cytoskeletal networks, such as gene knockout or overexpression, are protracted which allows networks to readjust through gene expression changes. Moreover, these tools lack spatial resolution to probe the effects of local network activations. To overcome these challenges, blue light-inducible cryptochrome- and LOV domain-based dimerization systems have been recently developed to control signaling or cytoskeletal events in a spatiotemporally precise manner. We illustrate that, within minutes of global membrane recruitment of full-length GEFs or their catalytic domains only, widespread increases or decreases in F-actin rich protrusions and cell size occur, depending on the particular node in the networks targeted. Additionally, we demonstrate localized GEF recruitment as a robust assay system to study local network activation-driven changes in polarity and directed migration. Altogether, these optical tools confirmed GEFs of Ras superfamily GTPases as regulators of cell shape, actin dynamics, and polarity. Furthermore, this optogenetic toolbox may be exploited in perturbing complex signaling interactions in varied physiological contexts including mammalian embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiman Sankar Pal
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yiyan Lin
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Huiwang Zhan
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tatsat Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jonathan Kuhn
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stephenie Providence
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Ingenuity Research Program, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter N. Devreotes
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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3
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Hanot M, Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. The Contribution of the Zebrafish Model to the Understanding of Polycomb Repression in Vertebrates. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032322. [PMID: 36768643 PMCID: PMC9916924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are highly conserved proteins assembled into two major types of complexes, PRC1 and PRC2, involved in the epigenetic silencing of a wide range of gene expression programs regulating cell fate and tissue development. The crucial role of PRC1 and PRC2 in the fundamental cellular processes and their involvement in human pathologies such as cancer attracted intense attention over the last few decades. Here, we review recent advancements regarding PRC1 and PRC2 function using the zebrafish model. We point out that the unique characteristics of the zebrafish model provide an exceptional opportunity to increase our knowledge of the role of the PRC1 and PRC2 complexes in tissue development, in the maintenance of organ integrity and in pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariette Hanot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ludivine Raby
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pamela Völkel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Xuefen Le Bourhis
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER-Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
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4
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The challenge of dissecting gene function in model organisms: Tools to characterize genetic mutants and assess transcriptional adaptation in zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 176:1-25. [PMID: 37164532 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies including the CRISPR/Cas9 system have greatly improved our knowledge of gene function and biological processes, however, these approaches have also brought new challenges to determining genotype-phenotype correlations. In this chapter, we briefly review gene-editing technologies used in zebrafish and discuss the differences in phenotypes that can arise when gene expression is inhibited by anti-sense or by gene editing techniques. We outline possible explanations for why knockout phenotypes are milder, tissue-restricted, or even absent, compared with severe knockdown phenotypes. One proposed explanation is transcriptional adaptation, a form of genetic robustness that is induced by deleterious mutations but not gene knockdowns. Although much is unknown about what triggers this process, its relevance in shaping genome expression has been shown in multiple animal models. We recently explored if transcriptional adaptation could explain genotype-phenotype discrepancies seen between two zebrafish models of the centrosomal protein Cep290 deficiency. We compared cilia-related phenotypes in knockdown (anti-sense) and knockout (mutation) Cep290 models and showed that only cep290 gene mutation induces the upregulation of genes encoding the cilia-associated small GTPases Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b. Importantly, the ectopic expression of Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b in cep290 morphant zebrafish embryos rescued cilia defects. Here we provide protocols and experimental approaches that can be used to explore if transcriptional adaptation may be modulating gene expression in a zebrafish ciliary mutant model.
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Chia K, Klingseisen A, Sieger D, Priller J. Zebrafish as a model organism for neurodegenerative disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:940484. [PMID: 36311026 PMCID: PMC9606821 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.940484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly recognized as a model organism for translational research into human neuropathology. The zebrafish brain exhibits fundamental resemblance with human neuroanatomical and neurochemical pathways, and hallmarks of human brain pathology such as protein aggregation, neuronal degeneration and activation of glial cells, for example, can be modeled and recapitulated in the fish central nervous system. Genetic manipulation, imaging, and drug screening are areas where zebrafish excel with the ease of introducing mutations and transgenes, the expression of fluorescent markers that can be detected in vivo in the transparent larval stages overtime, and simple treatment of large numbers of fish larvae at once followed by automated screening and imaging. In this review, we summarize how zebrafish have successfully been employed to model human neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of choosing zebrafish as a model for these neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelda Chia
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Klingseisen
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Dirk Sieger,
| | - Josef Priller
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DZNE, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Josef Priller,
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Russo I, Sartor E, Fagotto L, Colombo A, Tiso N, Alaibac M. The Zebrafish model in dermatology: an update for clinicians. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:48. [PMID: 35713744 PMCID: PMC9206045 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the zebrafish has been established as one of the most important model organisms for medical research. Several studies have proved that there is a high level of similarity between human and zebrafish genomes, which encourages the use of zebrafish as a model for understanding human genetic disorders, including cancer. Interestingly, zebrafish skin shows several similarities to human skin, suggesting that this model organism is particularly suitable for the study of neoplastic and inflammatory skin disorders. This paper appraises the specific characteristics of zebrafish skin and describes the major applications of the zebrafish model in dermatological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Russo
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Emma Sartor
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Fagotto
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Colombo
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Mauro Alaibac
- Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Gallucci 4, 35128, Padua, Italy.
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Rossi A, Kontarakis Z. Beyond Mendelian Inheritance: Genetic Buffering and Phenotype Variability. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 2:79-87. [PMID: 36939776 PMCID: PMC9590499 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-021-00030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the way genes work amongst individuals and across generations to shape form and function is a common theme for many genetic studies. The recent advances in genetics, genome engineering and DNA sequencing reinforced the notion that genes are not the only players that determine a phenotype. Due to physiological or pathological fluctuations in gene expression, even genetically identical cells can behave and manifest different phenotypes under the same conditions. Here, we discuss mechanisms that can influence or even disrupt the axis between genotype and phenotype; the role of modifier genes, the general concept of genetic redundancy, genetic compensation, the recently described transcriptional adaptation, environmental stressors, and phenotypic plasticity. We furthermore highlight the usage of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the generation of isogenic lines through genome engineering, and sequencing technologies can help extract new genetic and epigenetic mechanisms from what is hitherto considered 'noise'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rossi
- Genome Engineering and Model Development Lab (GEMD), IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Zacharias Kontarakis
- Genome Engineering and Measurement Laboratory (GEML), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich of ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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8
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Gu W, Wang L, Gu R, Ouyang H, Bao B, Zheng L, Xu B. Defects of cohesin loader lead to bone dysplasia associated with transcriptional disturbance. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:8208-8225. [PMID: 34170011 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cohesin loader nipped-B-like protein (Nipbl) is increasingly recognized for its important role in development and cancer. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), mostly caused by heterozygous mutations of Nipbl, is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by multiorgan malformations. However, the regulatory role and underlying mechanism of Nipbl in skeletal development remain largely elusive. In this study, we constructed a Nipbl-a Cas9-knockout (KO) zebrafish, which displayed severe retardation of global growth and skeletal development. Deficiency of Nipbl remarkably compromised cell growth and survival, and osteogenic differentiation of mammalian osteoblast precursors. Furthermore, Nipbl depletion impaired the cell cycle process, and caused DNA damage accumulation and cellular senescence. In addition, nucleolar fibrillarin expression, global rRNA biogenesis, and protein translation were defective in the Nipbl-depleted osteoblast precursors. Interestingly, an integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB), partially rescued Nipbl depletion-induced cellular defects in proliferation and apoptosis, osteogenesis, and nucleolar function. Simultaneously, we performed transcriptome analysis of Nipbl deficiency on human neural crest cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts in combination with Nipbl ChIP-Seq. We found that Nipbl deficiency caused thousands of differentially expressed genes including some important genes in bone and cartilage development. In conclusion, Nipbl deficiency compromised skeleton development through impairing osteoblast precursor cell proliferation and survival, and osteogenic differentiation, and also disturbing the expression of some osteogenesis-regulatory genes. Our study elucidated that Nipbl played a pivotal role in skeleton development, and supported the fact that treatment of ISRIB may provide an early intervention strategy to alleviate the bone dysplasia of CdLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihuai Gu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Renjie Gu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiya Ouyang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baicheng Bao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Orthodontic Department, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Baoshan Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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9
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DeLaurier A, Howe DG, Ruzicka L, Carte AN, Mishoe Hernandez L, Wiggins KJ, Gallati MM, Vanpelt K, Loyo Rosado F, Pugh KG, Shabdue CJ, Jihad K, Thyme SB, Talbot JC. ZebraShare: a new venue for rapid dissemination of zebrafish mutant data. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11007. [PMID: 33954026 PMCID: PMC8051354 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11007] [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: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the past decade, the zebrafish community has widely embraced targeted mutagenesis technologies, resulting in an abundance of mutant lines. While many lines have proven to be useful for investigating gene function, many have also shown no apparent phenotype, or phenotypes not of interest to the originating lab. In order for labs to document and share information about these lines, we have created ZebraShare as a new resource offered within ZFIN. Methods ZebraShare involves a form-based submission process generated by ZFIN. The ZebraShare interface (https://zfin.org/action/zebrashare) can be accessed on ZFIN under "Submit Data". Users download the Submission Workbook and complete the required fields, then submit the completed workbook with associated images and captions, generating a new ZFIN publication record. ZFIN curators add the submitted phenotype and mutant information to the ZFIN database, provide mapping information about mutations, and cross reference this information across the appropriate ZFIN databases. We present here examples of ZebraShare submissions, including phf21aa, kdm1a, ctnnd1, snu13a, and snu13b mutant lines. Results Users can find ZebraShare submissions by searching ZFIN for specific alleles or line designations, just as for alleles submitted through the normal process. We present several potential examples of submission types to ZebraShare including a phenotypic mutants, mildly phenotypic, and early lethal mutants. Mutants for kdm1a show no apparent skeletal phenotype, and phf21aa mutants show only a mild skeletal phenotype, yet these genes have specific human disease relevance and therefore may be useful for further studies. The p120-catenin encoding gene, ctnnd1, was knocked out to investigate a potential role in brain development or function. The homozygous ctnnd1 mutant disintegrates during early somitogenesis and the heterozygote has localized defects, revealing vital roles in early development. Two snu13 genes were knocked out to investigate a role in muscle formation. The snu13a;snu13b double mutant has an early embryonic lethal phenotype, potentially related to a proposed role in the core splicing complex. In each example, the mutants submitted to ZebraShare display phenotypes that are not ideally suited to their originating lab's project directions but may be of great relevance to other researchers. Conclusion ZebraShare provides an opportunity for researchers to directly share information about mutant lines within ZFIN, which is widely used by the community as a central database of information about zebrafish lines. Submissions of alleles with a phenotypic or unexpected phenotypes is encouraged to promote collaborations, disseminate lines, reduce redundancy of effort and to promote efficient use of time and resources. We anticipate that as submissions to ZebraShare increase, they will help build an ultimately more complete picture of zebrafish genetics and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- April DeLaurier
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Douglas G Howe
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Leyla Ruzicka
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
| | - Adam N Carte
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America.,Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America.,Biozentrum, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lacie Mishoe Hernandez
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Kali J Wiggins
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Mika M Gallati
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
| | - Kayce Vanpelt
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Frances Loyo Rosado
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Katlin G Pugh
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Chasey J Shabdue
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Khadijah Jihad
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina -Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
| | - Summer B Thyme
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama -Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Jared C Talbot
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
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10
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Salanga CM, Salanga MC. Genotype to Phenotype: CRISPR Gene Editing Reveals Genetic Compensation as a Mechanism for Phenotypic Disjunction of Morphants and Mutants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073472. [PMID: 33801686 PMCID: PMC8036752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Forward genetic screens have shown the consequences of deleterious mutations; however, they are best suited for model organisms with fast reproductive rates and large broods. Furthermore, investigators must faithfully identify changes in phenotype, even if subtle, to realize the full benefit of the screen. Reverse genetic approaches also probe genotype to phenotype relationships, except that the genetic targets are predefined. Until recently, reverse genetic approaches relied on non-genomic gene silencing or the relatively inefficient, homology-dependent gene targeting for loss-of-function generation. Fortunately, the flexibility and simplicity of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system has revolutionized reverse genetics, allowing for the precise mutagenesis of virtually any gene in any organism at will. The successful integration of insertions/deletions (INDELs) and nonsense mutations that would, at face value, produce the expected loss-of-function phenotype, have been shown to have little to no effect, even if other methods of gene silencing demonstrate robust loss-of-function consequences. The disjunction between outcomes has raised important questions about our understanding of genotype to phenotype and highlights the capacity for compensation in the central dogma. This review describes recent studies in which genomic compensation appears to be at play, discusses the possible compensation mechanisms, and considers elements important for robust gene loss-of-function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristy M. Salanga
- Office of the Vice President for Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Matthew C. Salanga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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Bardhan A, Deiters A, Ettensohn CA. Conditional gene knockdowns in sea urchins using caged morpholinos. Dev Biol 2021; 475:21-29. [PMID: 33684434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Echinoderms are important experimental models for analyzing embryonic development, but a lack of spatial and temporal control over gene perturbations has hindered developmental studies using these animals. Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (MOs) have been used successfully by the echinoderm research community for almost two decades, and MOs remain the most widely used tool for acute gene knockdowns in these organisms. Echinoderm embryos develop externally and are optically transparent, making them ideally-suited to many light-based approaches for analyzing and manipulating development. Studies using zebrafish embryos have demonstrated the effectiveness of photoactivatable (caged) MOs for conditional gene knockdowns. Here we show that caged MOs, synthesized using nucleobase-caged monomers, provide light-regulated control over gene expression in sea urchin embryos. Our work provides the first robust approach for conditional gene silencing in this prominent model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Bardhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charles A Ettensohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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12
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Computational Modeling of Blood Flow Hemodynamics for Biomechanical Investigation of Cardiac Development and Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8020014. [PMID: 33572675 PMCID: PMC7912127 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first functional organ in a developing embryo. Cardiac development continues throughout developmental stages while the heart goes through a serious of drastic morphological changes. Previous animal experiments as well as clinical observations showed that disturbed hemodynamics interfere with the development of the heart and leads to the formation of a variety of defects in heart valves, heart chambers, and blood vessels, suggesting that hemodynamics is a governing factor for cardiogenesis, and disturbed hemodynamics is an important source of congenital heart defects. Therefore, there is an interest to image and quantify the flowing blood through a developing heart. Flow measurement in embryonic fetal heart can be performed using advanced techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or echocardiography. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is another approach especially useful when the other imaging modalities are not available and in-depth flow assessment is needed. The approach is based on numerically solving relevant physical equations to approximate the flow hemodynamics and tissue behavior. This approach is becoming widely adapted to simulate cardiac flows during the embryonic development. While there are few studies for human fetal cardiac flows, many groups used zebrafish and chicken embryos as useful models for elucidating normal and diseased cardiogenesis. In this paper, we explain the major steps to generate CFD models for simulating cardiac hemodynamics in vivo and summarize the latest findings on chicken and zebrafish embryos as well as human fetal hearts.
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13
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Kontarakis Z, Stainier DY. Genetics in Light of Transcriptional Adaptation. Trends Genet 2020; 36:926-935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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14
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Jiang Z, Carlantoni C, Allanki S, Ebersberger I, Stainier DYR. Tek (Tie2) is not required for cardiovascular development in zebrafish. Development 2020; 147:dev.193029. [PMID: 32928907 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Angiopoietin/TIE signalling plays a major role in blood and lymphatic vessel development. In mouse, Tek (previously known as Tie2) mutants die prenatally due to a severely underdeveloped cardiovascular system. In contrast, in zebrafish, previous studies have reported that although embryos injected with tek morpholinos (MOs) exhibit severe vascular defects, tek mutants display no obvious vascular malformations. To further investigate the function of zebrafish Tek, we generated a panel of loss-of-function tek mutants, including RNA-less alleles, an allele lacking the MO-binding site, an in-frame deletion allele and a premature termination codon-containing allele. Our data show that all these mutants survive to adulthood with no obvious cardiovascular defects. MO injections into tek mutants lacking the MO-binding site or the entire tek locus cause similar vascular defects to those observed in MO-injected +/+ siblings, indicating off-target effects of the MOs. Surprisingly, comprehensive phylogenetic profiling and synteny analyses reveal that Tek was lost in the largest teleost clade, suggesting a lineage-specific shift in the function of TEK during vertebrate evolution. Altogether, these data show that Tek is dispensable for zebrafish development, and probably dispensable in most teleost species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jiang
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany .,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Claudia Carlantoni
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Srinivas Allanki
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Ingo Ebersberger
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Frankfurt 60438, Germany .,Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (S-BIKF), Frankfurt 60438, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Frankfurt 60438, Germany
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany .,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
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15
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Kara N, Kent MR, Didiano D, Rajaram K, Zhao A, Summerbell ER, Patton JG. The miR-216a-Dot1l Regulatory Axis Is Necessary and Sufficient for Müller Glia Reprogramming during Retina Regeneration. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2037-2047.e4. [PMID: 31433981 PMCID: PMC6750267 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike the adult mammalian retina, Müller glia (MG) in the adult zebrafish retina are able to dedifferentiate into a ‘‘stem cell’’-like state and give rise to multipotent progenitor cells upon retinal damage. We show that miR-216a is downregulated in MG after constant intense light lesioning and that miR-216a suppression is necessary and sufficient for MG dedifferentiation and proliferation during retina regeneration. miR-216a targets the H3K79 methyltransferase Dot1l, which is upregulated in proliferating MG after retinal damage. Loss-of-function experiments show that Dot1l is necessary for MG reprogramming and mediates MG proliferation downstream of miR-216a. We further demonstrate that miR-216a and Dot1l regulate MG-mediated retina regeneration through canonical Wnt signaling. This article reports a regulatory mechanism upstream of Wnt signaling during retina regeneration and provides potential targets for enhancing regeneration in the adult mammalian retina. Unlike the adult mammalian retina, Müller glia in the adult zebrafish retina are able to reprogram into a stem cell-like state and give rise to multipotent progenitor cells upon retinal damage. Kara et al. show that miR-216a suppression stimulates Müller glia reprogramming through upregulation of the H3K79 methyltransferase Dot1l and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nergis Kara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Matthew R Kent
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Dominic Didiano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kamya Rajaram
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Anna Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Emily R Summerbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James G Patton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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16
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Sztal TE, Stainier DYR. Transcriptional adaptation: a mechanism underlying genetic robustness. Development 2020; 147:147/15/dev186452. [PMID: 32816903 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutations play a crucial role in evolution as they provide the genetic variation that allows evolutionary change. Although some mutations in regulatory elements or coding regions can be beneficial, a large number of them disrupt gene function and reduce fitness. Organisms utilize several mechanisms to compensate for the damaging consequences of genetic perturbations. One such mechanism is the recently identified process of transcriptional adaptation (TA): during this event, mutations that cause mutant mRNA degradation trigger the transcriptional modulation of so-called adapting genes. In some cases, for example when one (or more) of the upregulated genes is functionally redundant with the mutated gene, this process compensates for the loss of the mutated gene's product. Notably, unlike other mechanisms underlying genetic robustness, TA is not triggered by the loss of protein function, an observation that has prompted studies into the machinery of TA and the contexts in which it functions. Here, we review the discovery and current understanding of TA, and discuss how its main features appear to be conserved across species. In light of these findings, we also speculate on the importance of TA in the context of human disease, and provide some recommendations for genome-editing strategies that should be more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstrasse 43, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
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17
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Fricke T, Smalakyte D, Lapinski M, Pateria A, Weige C, Pastor M, Kolano A, Winata C, Siksnys V, Tamulaitis G, Bochtler M. Targeted RNA Knockdown by a Type III CRISPR-Cas Complex in Zebrafish. CRISPR J 2020; 3:299-313. [PMID: 32833532 PMCID: PMC7469701 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference is a powerful experimental tool for RNA knockdown, but not all organisms are amenable. Here, we provide a proof of principle demonstration that a type III Csm effector complex can be used for programmable mRNA transcript degradation in eukaryotes. In zebrafish, Streptococcus thermophilus Csm complex (StCsm) proved effective for knockdown of maternally expressed EGFP in germ cells of Tg(ddx4:ddx4-EGFP) fish. It also led to significant, albeit less drastic, fluorescence reduction at one day postfertilization in Tg(myl7:GFP) and Tg(fli1:EGFP) fish that express EGFP zygotically. StCsm targeted against the endogenous tdgf1 elicited the characteristic one-eyed phenotype with greater than 50% penetrance, and hence with similar efficiency to morpholino-mediated knockdown. We conclude that Csm-mediated knockdown is very efficient for maternal transcripts and can also be used for mixed maternal/early zygotic and early zygotic transcripts, in some cases reaching comparable efficiency to morpholino-based knockdown without significant off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Fricke
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dalia Smalakyte
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Maciej Lapinski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Abhishek Pateria
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Charles Weige
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Pastor
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kolano
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Cecilia Winata
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Matthias Bochtler
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Warsaw, Poland
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18
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Souder JP, Gorelick DA. ahr2, But Not ahr1a or ahr1b, Is Required for Craniofacial and Fin Development and TCDD-dependent Cardiotoxicity in Zebrafish. Toxicol Sci 2020; 170:25-44. [PMID: 30907958 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that binds environmental toxicants and regulates gene expression. AHR also regulates developmental processes, like craniofacial development and hematopoiesis, in the absence of environmental exposures. Zebrafish have 3 paralogs of AHR: ahr1a, ahr1b, and ahr2. Adult zebrafish with mutations in ahr2 exhibited craniofacial and fin defects. However, the degree to which ahr1a and ahr1b influence ahr2 signaling and contribute to fin and craniofacial development are not known. We compared morphology of adult ahr2 mutants and ahr1a;ahr1b single and double mutant zebrafish. We found that ahr1a;ahr1b single and double mutants were morphologically normal whereas ahr2 mutant zebrafish demonstrated fin and craniofacial malformations. At 5 days post fertilization, both ahr1a;ahr1b and ahr2 mutant larvae were normal, suggesting that adult phenotypes are due to defects in maturation or maintenance. Next, we analyzed the function of zebrafish AHRs activated by environmental ligands. The prototypical AHR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), induces toxicity in humans and rodents via AHR and causes cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. It has been shown that embryos with mutations in ahr2 are resistant to TCDD toxicity, yet it is unclear whether ahr1 receptors are required. Furthermore, though AHR was shown to interact with estrogen receptor alpha following TCDD treatment, it is not known whether this interaction is constitutive or context-dependent. To determine whether estrogen receptors are constitutive cofactors for AHR signaling, we used genetic and pharmacologic techniques to analyze TCDD-dependent toxicity in estrogen receptor and ahr mutant embryos. We found that embryos with mutations in ahr1a;ahr1b or estrogen receptor genes are susceptible to TCDD toxicity whereas ahr2 mutant embryos are TCDD-resistant. Moreover, pharmacologic blockade of nuclear estrogen receptors failed to prevent TCDD toxicity. These findings suggest that ahr1 genes do not have overlapping functions with ahr2 in fin and craniofacial development or TCDD-dependent toxicity, and that estrogen receptors are not constitutive partners of ahr2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn P Souder
- Medical Scientist Training Program & Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Daniel A Gorelick
- Medical Scientist Training Program & Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
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19
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Müller JS, Burns DT, Griffin H, Wells GR, Zendah RA, Munro B, Schneider C, Horvath R. RNA exosome mutations in pontocerebellar hypoplasia alter ribosome biogenesis and p53 levels. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/8/e202000678. [PMID: 32527837 PMCID: PMC7295610 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA exosome is a ubiquitously expressed complex of nine core proteins (EXOSC1-9) and associated nucleases responsible for RNA processing and degradation. Mutations in EXOSC3, EXOSC8, EXOSC9, and the exosome cofactor RBM7 cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia and motor neuronopathy. We investigated the consequences of exosome mutations on RNA metabolism and cellular survival in zebrafish and human cell models. We observed that levels of mRNAs encoding p53 and ribosome biogenesis factors are increased in zebrafish lines with homozygous mutations of exosc8 or exosc9, respectively. Consistent with higher p53 levels, mutant zebrafish have a reduced head size, smaller brain, and cerebellum caused by an increased number of apoptotic cells during development. Down-regulation of EXOSC8 and EXOSC9 in human cells leads to p53 protein stabilisation and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Increased p53 transcript levels were also observed in muscle samples from patients with EXOSC9 mutations. Our work provides explanation for the pathogenesis of exosome-related disorders and highlights the link between exosome function, ribosome biogenesis, and p53-dependent signalling. We suggest that exosome-related disorders could be classified as ribosomopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane S Müller
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - David T Burns
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen Griffin
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Graeme R Wells
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Romance A Zendah
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Benjamin Munro
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claudia Schneider
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rita Horvath
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK .,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
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20
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Advanced blood flow assessment in Zebrafish via experimental digital particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics modeling. Micron 2020; 130:102801. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2019.102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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21
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Paraiso KD, Blitz IL, Zhou JJ, Cho KWY. Morpholinos Do Not Elicit an Innate Immune Response during Early Xenopus Embryogenesis. Dev Cell 2020; 49:643-650.e3. [PMID: 31112700 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been reported that a common side effect of translation-blocking morpholino antisense oligonucleotides is the induction of a set of innate immune response genes in Xenopus embryos and that splicing-blocking morpholinos lead to unexpected off-target mis-splicing events. Here, we present an analysis of all publicly available Xenopus RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in a reexamination of the effects of translation-blocking morpholinos on the innate immune response. Our analysis does not support the authors' general conclusion, which was based on a limited number of RNA-seq datasets. Moreover, the strong induction of an immune response appears to be specific to the tbxt/tbxt2 morpholinos. The more comprehensive study presented here indicates that using morpholinos for targeted gene knockdowns remains of considerable value for the rapid identification of gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitt D Paraiso
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ira L Blitz
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jeff J Zhou
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ken W Y Cho
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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22
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Dries R, Stryjewska A, Coddens K, Okawa S, Notelaers T, Birkhoff J, Dekker M, Verfaillie CM, Del Sol A, Mulugeta E, Conidi A, Grosveld FG, Huylebroeck D. Integrative and perturbation-based analysis of the transcriptional dynamics of TGFβ/BMP system components in transition from embryonic stem cells to neural progenitors. Stem Cells 2019; 38:202-217. [PMID: 31675135 PMCID: PMC7027912 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cooperative actions of extrinsic signals and cell‐intrinsic transcription factors alter gene regulatory networks enabling cells to respond appropriately to environmental cues. Signaling by transforming growth factor type β (TGFβ) family ligands (eg, bone morphogenetic proteins [BMPs] and Activin/Nodal) exerts cell‐type specific and context‐dependent transcriptional changes, thereby steering cellular transitions throughout embryogenesis. Little is known about coordinated regulation and transcriptional interplay of the TGFβ system. To understand intrafamily transcriptional regulation as part of this system's actions during development, we selected 95 of its components and investigated their mRNA‐expression dynamics, gene‐gene interactions, and single‐cell expression heterogeneity in mouse embryonic stem cells transiting to neural progenitors. Interrogation at 24 hour intervals identified four types of temporal gene transcription profiles that capture all stages, that is, pluripotency, epiblast formation, and neural commitment. Then, between each stage we performed esiRNA‐based perturbation of each individual component and documented the effect on steady‐state mRNA levels of the remaining 94 components. This exposed an intricate system of multilevel regulation whereby the majority of gene‐gene interactions display a marked cell‐stage specific behavior. Furthermore, single‐cell RNA‐profiling at individual stages demonstrated the presence of detailed co‐expression modules and subpopulations showing stable co‐expression modules such as that of the core pluripotency genes at all stages. Our combinatorial experimental approach demonstrates how intrinsically complex transcriptional regulation within a given pathway is during cell fate/state transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Agata Stryjewska
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kathleen Coddens
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Satoshi Okawa
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Tineke Notelaers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Judith Birkhoff
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mike Dekker
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Antonio Del Sol
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque, Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Eskeatnaf Mulugeta
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Conidi
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank G Grosveld
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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23
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Hason M, Bartůněk P. Zebrafish Models of Cancer-New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110935. [PMID: 31731811 PMCID: PMC6896156 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.
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24
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TAG-RNAi overcomes off-target effects in cancer models. Oncogene 2019; 39:935-945. [PMID: 31558799 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference offers therapeutic opportunities for the clinical targeting of otherwise undruggable oncogenes. However RNAi can have off-target effects that considerably increase treatment risks. To manage these side effects and allow an easy subtraction of their activity in healthy tissues, we present here the TAG-RNAi approach where cells that are not designated targets do not have the mRNA tag. Using TAG-RNAi we first established the off-target signatures of three different siRNAs specific to the Cyclin D1 oncogene by RNA-sequencing of cultured cancer cells expressing a FLAG-HA-tagged-Cyclin D1. Then, by symmetrical allografts of tagged-cancer cells and untagged controls on the left and right flanks of model mice, we demonstrate that TAG-RNAi is a reliable approach to study the functional impact of any oncogene without off-target bias. Finally we show, as examples, that mutation-specific TAG-RNAi can be applied to downregulate two oncogenic mutants, KRAS-G12V or BRAF-V600E, while sparing the expression of the wild-type proteins. TAG-RNAi will thus avoid the traditional off-target limitations of RNAi in future experimental approaches.
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25
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Lai JKH, Gagalova KK, Kuenne C, El-Brolosy MA, Stainier DYR. Induction of interferon-stimulated genes and cellular stress pathways by morpholinos in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2019; 454:21-28. [PMID: 31201802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The phenotypes caused by morpholino-mediated interference of gene function in zebrafish are often not observed in the corresponding mutant(s). We took advantage of the availability of a relatively large collection of transcriptomic datasets to identify common signatures that characterize morpholino-injected animals (morphants). In addition to the previously reported activation of tp53 expression, we observed increased expression of the interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), isg15 and isg20, the cell death pathway gene casp8, and other cellular stress response genes including phlda3, mdm2 and gadd45aa. Studies involving segmentation stage embryos were more likely to show upregulation of these genes. We also found that the expression of these genes could be upregulated by increasing doses of an egfl7 morpholino, or even high doses of the standard control morpholino. Thus, these data show that morpholinos can induce the expression of ISGs in zebrafish embryos and further our understanding of morpholino effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason K H Lai
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Kristina K Gagalova
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Carsten Kuenne
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Mohamed A El-Brolosy
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Developmental Genetics, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
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26
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Vaz R, Hofmeister W, Lindstrand A. Zebrafish Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Limitations and Benefits of Current Tools and Techniques. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061296. [PMID: 30875831 PMCID: PMC6471844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past few years there has been an exponential increase in the use of animal models to confirm the pathogenicity of candidate disease-causing genetic variants found in patients. One such animal model is the zebrafish. Despite being a non-mammalian animal, the zebrafish model has proven its potential in recapitulating the phenotypes of many different human genetic disorders. This review will focus on recent advances in the modeling of neurodevelopmental disorders in zebrafish, covering aspects from early brain development to techniques used for modulating gene expression, as well as how to best characterize the resulting phenotypes. We also review other existing models of neurodevelopmental disorders, and the current efforts in developing and testing compounds with potential therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Vaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Wolfgang Hofmeister
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation for Stem cell Biology (Danstem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anna Lindstrand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine and Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Yildiz O, Downes GB, Sagerström CG. Zebrafish prdm12b acts independently of nkx6.1 repression to promote eng1b expression in the neural tube p1 domain. Neural Dev 2019; 14:5. [PMID: 30813944 PMCID: PMC6391800 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-019-0129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functioning of the adult nervous system depends on the establishment of neural circuits during embryogenesis. In vertebrates, neurons that make up motor circuits form in distinct domains along the dorsoventral axis of the neural tube. Each domain is characterized by a unique combination of transcription factors (TFs) that promote a specific fate, while repressing fates of adjacent domains. The prdm12 TF is required for the expression of eng1b and the generation of V1 interneurons in the p1 domain, but the details of its function remain unclear. METHODS We used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate the first germline mutants for prdm12 and employed this resource, together with classical luciferase reporter assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, to study prdm12b function in zebrafish. We also generated germline mutants for bhlhe22 and nkx6.1 to examine how these TFs act with prdm12b to control p1 formation. RESULTS We find that prdm12b mutants lack eng1b expression in the p1 domain and also possess an abnormal touch-evoked escape response. Using luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate that Prdm12b acts as a transcriptional repressor. We also show that the Bhlhe22 TF binds via the Prdm12b zinc finger domain to form a complex. However, bhlhe22 mutants display normal eng1b expression in the p1 domain. While prdm12 has been proposed to promote p1 fates by repressing expression of the nkx6.1 TF, we do not observe an expansion of the nkx6.1 domain upon loss of prdm12b function, nor is eng1b expression restored upon simultaneous loss of prdm12b and nkx6.1. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that prdm12b germline mutations produce a phenotype that is indistinguishable from that of morpholino-mediated loss of prdm12 function. In terms of prdm12b function, our results indicate that Prdm12b acts as transcriptional repressor and interacts with both EHMT2/G9a and Bhlhe22. However, bhlhe22 function is not required for eng1b expression in vivo, perhaps indicating that other bhlh genes can compensate during embryogenesis. Lastly, we do not find evidence for nkx6.1 and prdm12b acting as a repressive pair in formation of the p1 domain - suggesting that prdm12b is not solely required to repress non-p1 fates, but is specifically needed to promote p1 fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Yildiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, 364 Plantation St/LRB815, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Gerald B. Downes
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 USA
| | - Charles G. Sagerström
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, 364 Plantation St/LRB815, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
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Cordero-Maldonado ML, Perathoner S, van der Kolk KJ, Boland R, Heins-Marroquin U, Spaink HP, Meijer AH, Crawford AD, de Sonneville J. Deep learning image recognition enables efficient genome editing in zebrafish by automated injections. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0202377. [PMID: 30615627 PMCID: PMC6322765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most popular techniques in zebrafish research is microinjection. This is a rapid and efficient way to genetically manipulate early developing embryos, and to introduce microbes, chemical compounds, nanoparticles or tracers at larval stages. Here we demonstrate the development of a machine learning software that allows for microinjection at a trained target site in zebrafish eggs at unprecedented speed. The software is based on the open-source deep-learning library Inception v3. In a first step, the software distinguishes wells containing embryos at one-cell stage from wells to be skipped with an accuracy of 93%. A second step was developed to pinpoint the injection site. Deep learning allows to predict this location on average within 42 μm to manually annotated sites. Using a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), both steps together take less than 100 milliseconds. We first tested our system by injecting a morpholino into the middle of the yolk and found that the automated injection efficiency is as efficient as manual injection (~ 80%). Next, we tested both CRISPR/Cas9 and DNA construct injections into the zygote and obtained a comparable efficiency to that of an experienced experimentalist. Combined with a higher throughput, this results in a higher yield. Hence, the automated injection of CRISPR/Cas9 will allow high-throughput applications to knock out and knock in relevant genes to study their mechanisms or pathways of interest in diverse areas of biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Perathoner
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | - Ralf Boland
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ursula Heins-Marroquin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Herman P. Spaink
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Alexander D. Crawford
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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Prenatal Neuropathologies in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: The Gestation of a Comprehensive Zebrafish Model. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040029. [PMID: 30513623 PMCID: PMC6316217 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping diagnostic behaviors and risk factors. These include embryonic exposure to teratogens and mutations in genes that have important functions prenatally. Animal models, including rodents and zebrafish, have been essential in delineating mechanisms of neuropathology and identifying developmental critical periods, when those mechanisms are most sensitive to disruption. This review focuses on how the developmentally accessible zebrafish is contributing to our understanding of prenatal pathologies that set the stage for later ASD-ID behavioral deficits. We discuss the known factors that contribute prenatally to ASD-ID and the recent use of zebrafish to model deficits in brain morphogenesis and circuit development. We conclude by suggesting that a future challenge in zebrafish ASD-ID modeling will be to bridge prenatal anatomical and physiological pathologies to behavioral deficits later in life.
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Sokol AM, Uszczynska-Ratajczak B, Collins MM, Bazala M, Topf U, Lundegaard PR, Sugunan S, Guenther S, Kuenne C, Graumann J, Chan SSL, Stainier DYR, Chacinska A. Loss of the Mia40a oxidoreductase leads to hepato-pancreatic insufficiency in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007743. [PMID: 30457989 PMCID: PMC6245507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Development and function of tissues and organs are powered by the activity of mitochondria. In humans, inherited genetic mutations that lead to progressive mitochondrial pathology often manifest during infancy and can lead to death, reflecting the indispensable nature of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Here, we describe a zebrafish mutant for the gene mia40a (chchd4a), the life-essential homologue of the evolutionarily conserved Mia40 oxidoreductase which drives the biogenesis of cysteine-rich mitochondrial proteins. We report that mia40a mutant animals undergo progressive cellular respiration defects and develop enlarged mitochondria in skeletal muscles before their ultimate death at the larval stage. We generated a deep transcriptomic and proteomic resource that allowed us to identify abnormalities in the development and physiology of endodermal organs, in particular the liver and pancreas. We identify the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas to be severely affected by mutations in the MIA pathway. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular, cellular and organismal effects of mitochondrial deficiency, important for the accurate diagnosis and future treatment strategies of mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial pathologies which result from mutations in the nuclear DNA remain incurable and often lead to death. As mitochondria play various roles in cellular and tissue-specific contexts, the symptoms of mitochondrial pathologies can differ between patients. Thus, diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial disorders remain challenging. To enhance this, the generation of new models that explore and define the consequences of mitochondria insufficiencies is of central importance. Here, we present a mia40a zebrafish mutant as a model for mitochondrial dysfunction, caused by an imbalance in mitochondrial protein biogenesis. This mutant shares characteristics with existing reports on mitochondria dysfunction, and has led us to identify novel phenotypes such as enlarged mitochondrial clusters in skeletal muscles. In addition, our transcriptomics and proteomics data contribute important findings to the existing knowledge on how faulty mitochondria impinge on vertebrate development in molecular, tissue and organ specific contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Sokol
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- * E-mail: (AMS); (AC)
| | | | - Michelle M. Collins
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Michal Bazala
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ulrike Topf
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pia R. Lundegaard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sreedevi Sugunan
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stefan Guenther
- Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Carsten Kuenne
- Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Graumann
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Sherine S. L. Chan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Didier Y. R. Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Chacinska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail: (AMS); (AC)
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Rissone A, Burgess SM. Rare Genetic Blood Disease Modeling in Zebrafish. Front Genet 2018; 9:348. [PMID: 30233640 PMCID: PMC6127601 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis results in the correct formation of all the different blood cell types. In mammals, it starts from specific hematopoietic stem and precursor cells residing in the bone marrow. Mature blood cells are responsible for supplying oxygen to every cell of the organism and for the protection against pathogens. Therefore, inherited or de novo genetic mutations affecting blood cell formation or the regulation of their activity are responsible for numerous diseases including anemia, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, hyper- or hypo-inflammation, and cancer. By definition, an animal disease model is an analogous version of a specific clinical condition developed by researchers to gain information about its pathophysiology. Among all the model species used in comparative medicine, mice continue to be the most common and accepted model for biomedical research. However, because of the complexity of human diseases and the intrinsic differences between humans and other species, the use of several models (possibly in distinct species) can often be more helpful and informative than the use of a single model. In recent decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become increasingly popular among researchers, because it represents an inexpensive alternative compared to mammalian models, such as mice. Numerous advantages make it an excellent animal model to be used in genetic studies and in particular in modeling human blood diseases. Comparing zebrafish hematopoiesis to mammals, it is highly conserved with few, significant differences. In addition, the zebrafish model has a high-quality, complete genomic sequence available that shows a high level of evolutionary conservation with the human genome, empowering genetic and genomic approaches. Moreover, the external fertilization, the high fecundity and the transparency of their embryos facilitate rapid, in vivo analysis of phenotypes. In addition, the ability to manipulate its genome using the last genome editing technologies, provides powerful tools for developing new disease models and understanding the pathophysiology of human disorders. This review provides an overview of the different approaches and techniques that can be used to model genetic diseases in zebrafish, discussing how this animal model has contributed to the understanding of genetic diseases, with a specific focus on the blood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Rissone
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shawn M Burgess
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Synergistic interaction of sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis during zebrafish caudal vein plexus development. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9840. [PMID: 29959335 PMCID: PMC6026200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) is a complementary method to sprouting angiogenesis (SA). The hallmark of IA is formation of trans-capillary tissue pillars, their fusion and remodeling of the vascular plexus. In this study, we investigate the formation of the zebrafish caudal vein plexus (CVP) in Tg(fli1a:eGFP)y7 and the synergistic interaction of IA and SA in crafting the archetypical angio-architecture of the CVP. Dynamic in vivo observations and quantitative analyses revealed that the primitive CVP during development was initiated through SA. Further vascular growth and remodeling occurred by IA. Intussusception contributed to the expansion of the CVP by formation of new pillars. Those pillars arose in front of the already existing ones; and in a subsequent step the serried pillars elongated and fused together. This resulted in segregation of larger vascular segments and remodelling of the disorganized vascular meshwork into hierarchical tree-like arrangement. Blood flow was the main driving force for IA, particularly shear stress geometry at the site of pillar formation and fusion. Computational simulations based on hemodynamics showed drop in shear stress levels at locations of new pillar formation, pillar elongation and fusion. Correlative 3D serial block face scanning electron microscopy confirmed the morphological substrate of the phenomena of the pillar formation observed in vivo. The data obtained demonstrates that after the sprouting phase and formation of the primitive capillary meshwork, the hemodynamic conditions enhance intussusceptive segregation of hierarchical vascular tree i.e. intussusceptive arborization resulting in complex vascular structures with specific angio-architecture.
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33
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Wolff SB, Ölveczky BP. The promise and perils of causal circuit manipulations. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 49:84-94. [PMID: 29414070 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of increasingly sophisticated methods for recording and manipulating neural activity is revolutionizing neuroscience. By probing how activity patterns in different types of neurons and circuits contribute to behavior, these tools can help inform mechanistic models of brain function and explain the roles of distinct circuit elements. However, in systems where functions are distributed over large networks, interpreting causality experiments can be challenging. Here we review common assumptions underlying circuit manipulations in behaving animals and discuss the strengths and limitations of different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Be Wolff
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bence P Ölveczky
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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34
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Hino H, Nakanishi A, Seki R, Aoki T, Yamaha E, Kawahara A, Shimizu T, Hibi M. Roles of maternal wnt8a transcripts in axis formation in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2017; 434:96-107. [PMID: 29208373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In early zebrafish development, the program for dorsal axis formation begins soon after fertilization. Previous studies suggested that dorsal determinants (DDs) localize to the vegetal pole, and are transported to the dorsal blastomeres in a microtubule-dependent manner. The DDs activate the canonical Wnt pathway and induce dorsal-specific genes that are required for dorsal axis formation. Among wnt-family genes, only the wnt8a mRNA is reported to localize to the vegetal pole in oocytes and to induce the dorsal axis, suggesting that Wnt8a is a candidate DD. Here, to reveal the roles of maternal wnt8a, we generated wnt8a mutants by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and established zygotic, maternal, and maternal zygotic wnt8a mutants by germ-line replacement. Zebrafish wnt8a has two open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2) that are tandemly located in the genome. Although the zygotic ORF1 or ORF2 wnt8a mutants showed little or no axis-formation defects, the ORF1/2 compound mutants showed antero-dorsalized phenotypes, indicating that ORF1 and ORF2 have redundant roles in ventrolateral and posterior tissue formation. Unexpectedly, the maternal wnt8a ORF1/2 mutants showed no axis-formation defects. The maternal-zygotic wnt8a ORF1/2 mutants showed more severe antero-dorsalized phenotypes than the zygotic mutants. These results indicated that maternal wnt8a is dispensable for the initial dorsal determination, but cooperates with zygotic wnt8a for ventrolateral and posterior tissue formation. Finally, we re-examined the maternal wnt genes and found that Wnt6a is an alternative candidate DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromu Hino
- Laboratory of Organogenesis and Organ Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakanishi
- Laboratory of Organogenesis and Organ Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Ryoko Seki
- Laboratory of Organogenesis and Organ Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Aoki
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Etsuro Yamaha
- Nanae Fresh Water Laboratory, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Nanae, Kameda, Hokkaido 041-1105, Japan
| | - Atsuo Kawahara
- Laboratory for Developmental Biology, Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Laboratory of Organogenesis and Organ Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Masahiko Hibi
- Laboratory of Organogenesis and Organ Function, Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.
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Abstract
Understanding how and why animals regenerate complex tissues has the potential to transform regenerative medicine. Here we present an overview of genetic approaches that have recently been applied to dissect mechanisms of regeneration. We describe new advances that relate to central objectives of regeneration biologists researching different tissues and species, focusing mainly on vertebrates. These objectives include defining the cellular sources and key cell behaviors in regenerating tissue, elucidating molecular triggers and brakes for regeneration, and defining the earliest events that control the presence of these molecular factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hui Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan;
| | - Kenneth D Poss
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA;
- Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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36
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Joris M, Schloesser M, Baurain D, Hanikenne M, Muller M, Motte P. Number of inadvertent RNA targets for morpholino knockdown in Danio rerio is largely underestimated: evidence from the study of Ser/Arg-rich splicing factors. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:9547-9557. [PMID: 28934490 PMCID: PMC5766196 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the involvement of Ser/Arg-rich (SR) proteins in RNA metabolism is well documented, their role in vertebrate development remains elusive. We, therefore, elected to take advantage of the zebrafish model organism to study the SR genes' functions using the splicing morpholino (sMO) microinjection and the programmable site-specific nucleases. Consistent with previous research, we revealed discrepancies between the mutant and morphant phenotypes and we show that these inconsistencies may result from a large number of unsuspected inadvertent morpholino RNA targets. While microinjection of MOs directed against srsf5a (sMOsrsf5a) led to developmental defects, the corresponding homozygous mutants did not display any phenotypic traits. Furthermore, microinjection of sMOsrsf5a into srsf5a−/− led to the previously observed morphant phenotype. Similar findings were observed for other SR genes. sMOsrsf5a alternative target genes were identified using deep mRNA sequencing. We uncovered that only 11 consecutive bases complementary to sMOsrsf5a are sufficient for binding and subsequent blocking of splice sites. In addition, we observed that sMOsrsf5a secondary targets can be reduced by increasing embryos growth temperature after microinjection. Our data contribute to the debate about MO specificity, efficacy and the number of unknown targeted sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Joris
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Plant Molecular Imaging, InBioS, PhytoSystems and Centre for Assistance in Technology of Microscopy (CAREm), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie Schloesser
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Plant Molecular Imaging, InBioS, PhytoSystems and Centre for Assistance in Technology of Microscopy (CAREm), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Denis Baurain
- InBioS-PhytoSYSTEMS, Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marc Hanikenne
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Plant Molecular Imaging, InBioS, PhytoSystems and Centre for Assistance in Technology of Microscopy (CAREm), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marc Muller
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Patrick Motte
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Plant Molecular Imaging, InBioS, PhytoSystems and Centre for Assistance in Technology of Microscopy (CAREm), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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37
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Zhu P, Sieben CJ, Xu X, Harris PC, Lin X. Autophagy activators suppress cystogenesis in an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease model. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:158-172. [PMID: 28007903 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations in either PKD1 or PKD2. It is one of the most common heritable human diseases with eventual development of renal failure; however, effective treatment is lacking. While inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) effectively slows cyst expansions in animal models, results from clinical studies are controversial, prompting further mechanistic studies of mTOR-based therapy. Here, we aim to establish autophagy, a downstream pathway of mTOR, as a new therapeutic target for PKD. We generated zebrafish mutants for pkd1 and noted cystic kidney and mTOR activation in pkd1a mutants, suggesting a conserved ADPKD model. Further assessment of the mutants revealed impaired autophagic flux, which was conserved in kidney epithelial cells derived from both Pkd1-null mice and ADPKD patients. We found that inhibition of autophagy by knocking down the core autophagy protein Atg5 promotes cystogenesis, while activation of autophagy using a specific inducer Beclin-1 peptide ameliorates cysts in the pkd1a model. Treatment with compound autophagy activators, including mTOR-dependent rapamycin as well as mTOR-independent carbamazepine and minoxidil, markedly attenuated cyst formation and restored kidney function. Finally, we showed that combination treatment with low doses of rapamycin and carbamazepine was able to attenuate cyst formation as effectively as a single treatment with a high dose of rapamycin alone. In summary, our results suggested a modifying effect of autophagy on ADPKD, established autophagy activation as a novel therapy for ADPKD, and presented zebrafish as an efficient vertebrate model for developing PKD therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Cynthia J Sieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Peter C Harris
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xueying Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Gut P, Reischauer S, Stainier DYR, Arnaout R. LITTLE FISH, BIG DATA: ZEBRAFISH AS A MODEL FOR CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC DISEASE. Physiol Rev 2017; 97:889-938. [PMID: 28468832 PMCID: PMC5817164 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00038.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases worldwide is staggering. The emergence of systems approaches in biology promises new therapies, faster and cheaper diagnostics, and personalized medicine. However, a profound understanding of pathogenic mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels remains a fundamental requirement for discovery and therapeutics. Animal models of human disease are cornerstones of drug discovery as they allow identification of novel pharmacological targets by linking gene function with pathogenesis. The zebrafish model has been used for decades to study development and pathophysiology. More than ever, the specific strengths of the zebrafish model make it a prime partner in an age of discovery transformed by big-data approaches to genomics and disease. Zebrafish share a largely conserved physiology and anatomy with mammals. They allow a wide range of genetic manipulations, including the latest genome engineering approaches. They can be bred and studied with remarkable speed, enabling a range of large-scale phenotypic screens. Finally, zebrafish demonstrate an impressive regenerative capacity scientists hope to unlock in humans. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide on applications of zebrafish to investigate cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We delineate advantages and limitations of zebrafish models of human disease and summarize their most significant contributions to understanding disease progression to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Gut
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany; and Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Sven Reischauer
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany; and Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany; and Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Rima Arnaout
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany; and Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Neiswender H, Navarre S, Kozlowski DJ, Lemosy EK. Early Craniofacial Defects in Zebrafish that Have Reduced Function of a Wnt-Interacting Extracellular Matrix Protein, Tinagl1. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2017; 54:381-390. [DOI: 10.1597/15-283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Tinagl1 has a weak genetic association with craniosynostosis, but its functions in cartilage and bone development are unknown. Knockdown of Tinagl1 in zebrafish embryos allowed an initial characterization of its potential effects on craniofacial cartilage development and a test of whether these effects could involve Wnt signaling. Results Tinagl1 knockdown resulted in dose-dependent reductions and defects in ventral pharyngeal arch cartilages as well as the ethmoid plate, a zebrafish correlate to the palate. These defects could be correlated to reduced numbers of cranial neural crest cells in the pharyngeal arches and could be reproduced with comanipulation of Tinagl1 and Wnt3a by morpholino-based knockdown. Conclusions These results suggest that Tinagl1 is required early in the proliferation or migration of cranial neural crest cells and that its effects are mediated via Wnt3a signaling. Because Wnt3a is among the Wnts that contribute to nonsyndromic cleft lip and cleft palate in mouse and man, further investigation of Tinagl1 may help to elucidate mechanisms underlying these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Neiswender
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
| | - Sammy Navarre
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
| | - David J. Kozlowski
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University
| | - Ellen K. Lemosy
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
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40
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Kara N, Wei C, Commanday AC, Patton JG. miR-27 regulates chondrogenesis by suppressing focal adhesion kinase during pharyngeal arch development. Dev Biol 2017. [PMID: 28625871 PMCID: PMC5582384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cranial neural crest cells are a multipotent cell population that generate all the elements of the pharyngeal cartilage with differentiation into chondrocytes tightly regulated by temporal intracellular and extracellular cues. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for miR-27, a highly enriched microRNA in the pharyngeal arches, as a positive regulator of chondrogenesis. Knock down of miR-27 led to nearly complete loss of pharyngeal cartilage by attenuating proliferation and blocking differentiation of pre-chondrogenic cells. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a key regulator in integrin-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion and has been proposed to function as a negative regulator of chondrogenesis. We show that FAK is downregulated in the pharyngeal arches during chondrogenesis and is a direct target of miR-27. Suppressing the accumulation of FAK in miR-27 morphants partially rescued the severe pharyngeal cartilage defects observed upon knock down of miR-27. These data support a crucial role for miR-27 in promoting chondrogenic differentiation in the pharyngeal arches through regulation of FAK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nergis Kara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Chunyao Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Alexander C Commanday
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - James G Patton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.
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Abstract
In the last 30 years, the zebrafish has become a widely used model organism for research on vertebrate development and disease. Through a powerful combination of genetics and experimental embryology, significant inroads have been made into the regulation of embryonic axis formation, organogenesis, and the development of neural networks. Research with this model has also expanded into other areas, including the genetic regulation of aging, regeneration, and animal behavior. Zebrafish are a popular model because of the ease with which they can be maintained, their small size and low cost, the ability to obtain hundreds of embryos on a daily basis, and the accessibility, translucency, and rapidity of early developmental stages. This primer describes the swift progress of genetic approaches in zebrafish and highlights recent advances that have led to new insights into vertebrate biology.
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Yalcin HC, Amindari A, Butcher JT, Althani A, Yacoub M. Heart function and hemodynamic analysis for zebrafish embryos. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:868-880. [PMID: 28249360 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Zebrafish has emerged to become a powerful vertebrate animal model for cardiovascular research in recent years. Its advantages include easy genetic manipulation, transparency, small size, low cost, and the ability to survive without active circulation at early stages of development. Sequencing the whole genome and identifying ortholog genes with human genome made it possible to induce clinically relevant cardiovascular defects via genetic approaches. Heart function and disturbed hemodynamics need to be assessed in a reliable manner for these disease models in order to reveal the mechanobiology of induced defects. This effort requires precise determination of blood flow patterns as well as hemodynamic stress (i.e., wall shear stress and pressure) levels within the developing heart. While traditional approach involves time-lapse brightfield microscopy to track cell and tissue movements, in more recent studies fast light-sheet fluorescent microscopes are utilized for that purpose. Integration of more complicated techniques like particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics modeling for hemodynamic analysis holds a great promise to the advancement of the Zebrafish studies. Here, we discuss the latest developments in heart function and hemodynamic analysis for Zebrafish embryos and conclude with our future perspective on dynamic analysis of the Zebrafish cardiovascular system. Developmental Dynamics 246:868-880, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin Amindari
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jonathan T Butcher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Asma Althani
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Magdi Yacoub
- Imperial College, NHLI, Heart Science Centre, Harefield, Middlesex, UB9 6JH, United Kingdom
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43
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Jagla K, Kalman B, Boudou T, Hénon S, Batonnet-Pichon S. Beyond mice: Emerging and transdisciplinary models for the study of early-onset myopathies. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 64:171-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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44
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Huang PC, Chiu CC, Chang HW, Wang YS, Syue HH, Song YC, Weng ZH, Tai MH, Wu CY. Prdx1-encoded peroxiredoxin is important for vascular development in zebrafish. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:889-902. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chun Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Chiu
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Hai-Hong Syue
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Song
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Hong Weng
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology; National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Tai
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Chang-Yi Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology; National Sun Yat-sen University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology; National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica; Kaohsiung Taiwan
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45
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Cobll1 is linked to drug resistance and blastic transformation in chronic myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2017; 31:1532-1539. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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46
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Comparison of Zebrafish tmem88a mutant and morpholino knockdown phenotypes. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172227. [PMID: 28192479 PMCID: PMC5305201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tmem88a is a transmembrane protein that is thought to be a negative regulator of the Wnt signalling pathway. Several groups have used antisense morpholino oligonucleotides in an effort to characterise the role of tmem88a in zebrafish cardiovascular development, but they have not obtained consistent results. Here, we generate an 8 bp deletion in the coding region of the tmem88a locus using TALENs, and we have gone on to establish a viable homozygous tmem88aΔ8 mutant line. Although tmem88aΔ8 mutants have reduced expression of some key haematopoietic genes, differentiation of erythrocytes and neutrophils is unaffected, contradicting our previous study using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides. We find that expression of the tmem88a paralogue tmem88b is not significantly changed in tmem88aΔ8 mutants and injection of the tmem88a splice-blocking morpholino oligonucleotide into tmem88aΔ8 mutants recapitulates the reduction of erythrocytes observed in morphants using o-Dianisidine. This suggests that there is a partial, but inessential, requirement for tmem88a during haematopoiesis and that morpholino injection exacerbates this phenotype in tmem88a morpholino knockdown embryos.
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47
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Iklé JM, Tavares ALP, King M, Ding H, Colombo S, Firulli BA, Firulli AB, Targoff KL, Yelon D, Clouthier DE. Nkx2.5 regulates endothelin converting enzyme-1 during pharyngeal arch patterning. Genesis 2017; 55. [PMID: 28109039 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In gnathostomes, dorsoventral (D-V) patterning of neural crest cells (NCC) within the pharyngeal arches is crucial for the development of hinged jaws. One of the key signals that mediate this process is Endothelin-1 (EDN1). Loss of EDN1 binding to the Endothelin-A receptor (EDNRA) results in loss of EDNRA signaling and subsequent facial birth defects in humans, mice and zebrafish. A rate-limiting step in this crucial signaling pathway is the conversion of immature EDN1 into a mature active form by Endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE1). However, surprisingly little is known about how Ece1 transcription is induced or regulated. We show here that Nkx2.5 is required for proper craniofacial development in zebrafish and acts in part by upregulating ece1 expression. Disruption of nkx2.5 in zebrafish embryos results in defects in both ventral and dorsal pharyngeal arch-derived elements, with changes in ventral arch gene expression consistent with a disruption in Ednra signaling. ece1 mRNA rescues the nkx2.5 morphant phenotype, indicating that Nkx2.5 functions through modulating Ece1 expression or function. These studies illustrate a new function for Nkx2.5 in embryonic development and provide new avenues with which to pursue potential mechanisms underlying human facial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Iklé
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045
| | - Andre L P Tavares
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045
| | - Marisol King
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045
| | - Hailei Ding
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045
| | - Sophie Colombo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, 10032
| | - Beth A Firulli
- Departments of Anatomy and Medical, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Indianapolis, 46202
| | - Anthony B Firulli
- Departments of Anatomy and Medical, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Indianapolis, 46202
| | - Kimara L Targoff
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, 10032
| | - Deborah Yelon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093
| | - David E Clouthier
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045
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48
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Place ES, Smith JC. Zebrafish atoh8 mutants do not recapitulate morpholino phenotypes. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171143. [PMID: 28182631 PMCID: PMC5300237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atoh8 is a bHLH transcription factor expressed in pancreas, skeletal muscle, the nervous system, and cardiovascular tissues during embryological development. Although it has been implicated in the regulation of pancreatic and endothelial cell differentiation, the phenotypic consequences of Atoh8 loss are uncertain. Conclusions from knockout studies in the mouse differ widely depending on the targeting strategy used, while atoh8 knockdown by interfering morpholino oligonucleotides (morpholinos) in zebrafish has led to a range of developmental defects. This study characterised zebrafish embryos homozygous for atoh8sa1465, a loss-of-function allele of atoh8, in order to provide genetic evidence for the developmental role of Atoh8 in this species. Embryos homozygous for atoh8sa1465 present normal body morphology, swimbladder inflation, and heart looping, and survive to adulthood. These embryos do not develop pericardial oedema by 72 hpf and are not sensitised to the loss of Fog1 protein, suggesting that this previously described abnormality is not a specific phenotype. Vascular patterning and primitive haematopoiesis are unaffected in atoh8sa1465/sa1465 mutant embryos. Together, the data suggest that Atoh8 is dispensible for zebrafish development under standard laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie S. Place
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - James C. Smith
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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49
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Brockerhoff SE. Genome Editing to Study Ca 2+ Homeostasis in Zebrafish Cone Photoreceptors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1016:91-100. [PMID: 29130155 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63904-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors are specialized sensory neurons with unique biological features. Phototransduction is well understood due in part to the exclusive expression and function of the molecular components of this cascade. Many other processes are less well understood, but also extremely important for understanding photoreceptor function and for treating disease. One example is the role of Ca2+ in the cell body and overall compartmentalization and regulation of Ca2+ within the cell. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing techniques has made it possible to rapidly and cheaply alter specific genes. This will help to define the biological function of elusive processes that have been more challenging to study. CRISPR/Cas9 has been optimized in many systems including zebrafish, which already has some distinct advantages for studying photoreceptor biology and function. These new genome editing technologies and the continued use of the zebrafish model system will help advance our understanding of important understudied aspects of photoreceptor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Brockerhoff
- Departments of Biochemistry and Ophthalmology, University of Washington, UW Medicine, 750 Republican St, Box 358058, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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50
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Mitochondrial Calcium Handling in Physiology and Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 982:25-47. [PMID: 28551780 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-55330-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) accumulation inside mitochondria represents a pleiotropic signal controlling a wide range of cellular functions, including key metabolic pathways and life/death decisions. This phenomenon has been first described in the 1960s, but the identity of the molecules controlling this process remained a mystery until just few years ago, when both mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release systems were genetically dissected. This finally opened the possibility to develop genetic models to directly test the contribution of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis to cellular functions. Here we summarize our current understanding of the molecular machinery that controls mitochondrial Ca2+ handling and critically evaluate the physiopathological role of mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling, based on recent evidences obtained through in vitro and in vivo models.
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