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Ortiz-Román MI, Casiano-Muñiz IM, Román-Velázquez FR. Toxicity of UV Filter Benzophenone-3 in Brine Shrimp Nauplii ( Artemia salina) and Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Embryos. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:537-553. [PMID: 38804285 PMCID: PMC11130858 DOI: 10.3390/jox14020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The benzophenone (BP) family, including oxybenzone (BP-3), a prevalent sunscreen ingredient and environmental contaminant, has raised concerns since the year 2005. This study investigated oxybenzone toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii, focusing on the LC50 and developmental impacts. Zebrafish embryos (0.100-1.50 mg/L BP-3, 96 h) and A. salina (0.100-5.00 mg/L BP-3, 48 h) were tested with ultrasound-assisted emulsified liquid-phase microextraction (UA-ELPME) used for zebrafish tissue analysis. HPLC-DAD determined BP-3 concentrations (highest: 0.74 ± 0.13 mg/L). Although no significant zebrafish embryo mortality or hatching changes occurred, developmental effects were evident. Lethal concentrations were determined (A. salina LC50 at 24 h = 3.19 ± 2.02 mg/L; D. rerio embryos LC50 at 24 h = 4.19 ± 3.60 mg/L), with malformations indicating potential teratogenic effects. A. salina displayed intestinal tract alterations and D. rerio embryos exhibited pericardial edema and spinal deformities. These findings highlight oxybenzone's environmental risks, posing threats to species and ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa I. Ortiz-Román
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, PR 00681, USA;
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2
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Herget U, Ryu S, De Marco RJ. Altered glucocorticoid reactivity and behavioral phenotype in rx3-/- larval zebrafish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1187327. [PMID: 37484970 PMCID: PMC10358986 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1187327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The transcription factor rx3 is important for the formation of the pituitary and parts of the hypothalamus. Mutant animals lacking rx3 function have been well characterized in developmental studies, but relatively little is known about their behavioral phenotypes. Methods We used cell type staining to reveal differences in stress axis architecture, and performed cortisol measurements and behavior analysis to study both hormonal and behavioral stress responses in rx3 mutants. Results and Discussion Consistent with the role of rx3 in hypothalamus and pituitary development, we show a distinct loss of corticotrope cells involved in stress regulation, severe reduction of pituitary innervation by hypothalamic cells, and lack of stress-induced cortisol release in rx3 mutants. Interestingly, despite these deficits, we report that rx3-/- larval zebrafish can still display nominal behavioral responses to both stressful and non-stressful stimuli. However, unlike wildtypes, mutants lacking proper pituitary-interrenal function do not show enhanced behavioral performance under moderate stress level, supporting the view that corticotroph cells are not required for behavioral responses to some types of stressful stimuli but modulate subtle behavioral adjustments under moderate stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Herget
- Research Group Developmental Genetics of the Nervous System, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Soojin Ryu
- Research Group Developmental Genetics of the Nervous System, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Living Systems Institute, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo J. De Marco
- Research Group Developmental Genetics of the Nervous System, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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3
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Su M, Bao R, Wu Y, Gao B, Xiao P, Li W. Diafenthiuron causes developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 323:138253. [PMID: 36849025 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Diafenthiuron, a broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide used for agricultural crop protection, is highly toxic to nontarget organisms. However, the developmental toxicity of diafenthiuron and its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental toxicity of diafenthiuron in zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to diafenthiuron at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM) from 3 to 120 h post fertilization (hpf). Diafenthiuron exposure significantly shortened the body lengths of zebrafish larvae and significantly decreased superoxide dismutase activity. It also downregulated the spatiotemporal expression of pomc and prl, marker genes involved in pituitary development. Moreover, diafenthiuron exposure downregulated the spatiotemporal expression of liver-specific marker, fabp10a, and inhibited the development of the liver, a detoxification organ. In conclusion, our data provide evidence of the developmental toxicity and hepatotoxicity of diafenthiuron in aquatic organisms, and they are instrumental for further environmental risk assessment of diafenthiuron in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglan Su
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Fujian Molecular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Xiamen Marine and Gene Drugs, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis of Fujian Universities, School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Rongkai Bao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Fujian Molecular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Xiamen Marine and Gene Drugs, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis of Fujian Universities, School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Yaqing Wu
- Instrumental Analysis Center of Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Bo Gao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Fujian Molecular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Xiamen Marine and Gene Drugs, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis of Fujian Universities, School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Peng Xiao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ecological Treatment Technology of Urban Water Pollution, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Institute for Eco-environmental Research of Sanyang Wetland, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China.
| | - Wenhua Li
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Fujian Molecular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Xiamen Marine and Gene Drugs, Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis of Fujian Universities, School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, PR China.
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4
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Lazcano I, Pech-Pool SM, Olvera A, García-Martínez I, Palacios-Pérez S, Orozco A. The importance of thyroid hormone signaling during early development: Lessons from the zebrafish model. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 334:114225. [PMID: 36709002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is an optimal experimental model to study thyroid hormone (TH) involvement in vertebrate development. The use of state-of-the-art zebrafish genetic tools available for the study of the effect of gene silencing, cell fate decisions and cell lineage differentiation have contributed to a more insightful comprehension of molecular, cellular, and tissue-specific TH actions. In contrast to intrauterine development, extrauterine embryogenesis observed in zebrafish has facilitated a more detailed study of the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. This model has also enabled a more insightful analysis of TH molecular actions upon the organization and function of the brain, the retina, the heart, and the immune system. Consequently, zebrafish has become a trendy model to address paradigms of TH-related functional and biomedical importance. We here compilate the available knowledge regarding zebrafish developmental events for which specific components of TH signaling are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Lazcano
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - S M Pech-Pool
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - A Olvera
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - I García-Martínez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - S Palacios-Pérez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - A Orozco
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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5
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Fontaine R, Rahmad Royan M, Henkel C, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Weltzien FA. Pituitary multi-hormone cells in mammals and fish: history, origin, and roles. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101018. [PMID: 35870647 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate pituitary is a dynamic organ, capable of adapting its hormone secretion to different physiological demands. In this context, endocrinologists have debated for the past 40 years if endocrine cells are mono- or multi-hormonal. Since its establishment, the dominant "one cell, one hormone" model has been continuously challenged. In mammals, the use of advanced multi-staining approaches, sensitive gene expression techniques, and the analysis of tumor tissues have helped to quickly demonstrate the existence of pituitary multi-hormone cells. In fishes however, only recent advances in imaging and transcriptomics have enabled the identification of such cells. In this review, we first describe the history of the discovery of cells producing multiple hormones in mammals and fishes. We discuss the technical limitations that have led to uncertainties and debates. Then, we present the current knowledge and hypotheses regarding their origin and biological role, which provides a comprehensive review of pituitary plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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6
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Characterization of hormone-producing cell types in the teleost pituitary gland using single-cell RNA-seq. Sci Data 2021; 8:279. [PMID: 34711832 PMCID: PMC8553774 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary is the vertebrate endocrine gland responsible for the production and secretion of several essential peptide hormones. These, in turn, control many aspects of an animal’s physiology and development, including growth, reproduction, homeostasis, metabolism, and stress responses. In teleost fish, each hormone is presumably produced by a specific cell type. However, key details on the regulation of, and communication between these cell types remain to be resolved. We have therefore used single-cell sequencing to generate gene expression profiles for 2592 and 3804 individual cells from the pituitaries of female and male adult medaka (Oryzias latipes), respectively. Based on expression profile clustering, we define 15 and 16 distinct cell types in the female and male pituitary, respectively, of which ten are involved in the production of a single peptide hormone. Collectively, our data provide a high-quality reference for studies on pituitary biology and the regulation of hormone production, both in fish and in vertebrates in general. Measurement(s) | RNA-seq gene expression profiling assay | Technology Type(s) | tag based single cell RNA sequencing | Factor Type(s) | sex | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Oryzias latipes | Sample Characteristic - Environment | fresh water aquarium |
Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.16592621
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Bando H, Gergics P, Bohnsack BL, Toolan KP, Richter CE, Shavit JA, Camper SA. Otx2b mutant zebrafish have pituitary, eye and mandible defects that model mammalian disease. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1648-1657. [PMID: 32277752 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in over 30 genes. The loss-of-function mutations in many of these genes, including orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2), can present with a broad range of clinical symptoms, which provides a challenge for predicting phenotype from genotype. Another challenge in human genetics is functional evaluation of rare genetic variants that are predicted to be deleterious. Zebrafish are an excellent vertebrate model for evaluating gene function and disease pathogenesis, especially because large numbers of progeny can be obtained, overcoming the challenge of individual variation. To clarify the utility of zebrafish for the analysis of CPHD-related genes, we analyzed the effect of OTX2 loss of function in zebrafish. The otx2b gene is expressed in the developing hypothalamus, and otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish exhibit multiple defects in the development of head structures and are not viable past 10 days post fertilization (dpf). Otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish have a small hypothalamus and low expression of pituitary growth hormone and prolactin (prl). The gills of otx2bhu3625/hu3625 fish have weak sodium influx, consistent with the role of prolactin in osmoregulation. The otx2bhu3625/hu3625 eyes are microphthalmic with colobomas, which may underlie the inability of the mutant fish to find food. The small pituitary and eyes are associated with reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis evident at 3 and 5 dpf, respectively. These observations establish the zebrafish as a useful tool for the analysis of CPHD genes with variable and complex phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Bando
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter Gergics
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brenda L Bohnsack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kevin P Toolan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Catherine E Richter
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jordan A Shavit
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Rousseau K, Prunet P, Dufour S. Special features of neuroendocrine interactions between stress and reproduction in teleosts. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 300:113634. [PMID: 33045232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Stress and reproduction are both essential functions for vertebrate survival, ensuring on one side adaptative responses to environmental changes and potential life threats, and on the other side production of progeny. With more than 25,000 species, teleosts constitute the largest group of extant vertebrates, and exhibit a large diversity of life cycles, environmental conditions and regulatory processes. Interactions between stress and reproduction are a growing concern both for conservation of fish biodiversity in the frame of global changes and for the development of sustainability of aquaculture including fish welfare. In teleosts, as in other vertebrates, adverse effects of stress on reproduction have been largely documented and will be shortly overviewed. Unexpectedly, stress notably via cortisol, may also facilitate reproductive function in some teleost species in relation to their peculiar life cyles and this review will provide some examples. Our review will then mainly address the neuroendocrine axes involved in the control of stress and reproduction, namely the corticotropic and gonadotropic axes, as well as their interactions. After reporting some anatomo-functional specificities of the neuroendocrine systems in teleosts, we will describe the major actors of the corticotropic and gonadotropic axes at the brain-pituitary-peripheral glands (interrenals and gonads) levels, with a special focus on the impact of teleost-specific whole genome duplication (3R) on the number of paralogs and their potential differential functions. We will finally review the current knowledge on the neuroendocrine mechanisms of the various interactions between stress and reproduction at different levels of the two axes in teleosts in a comparative and evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Rousseau
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Research Unit BOREA, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, SU, UCN, UA, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Prunet
- INRAE, UR1037, Laboratoire de Physiologie et de Génomique des Poissons (LPGP), Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Dufour
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Research Unit BOREA, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, SU, UCN, UA, Paris, France.
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Fontaine R, Royan MR, von Krogh K, Weltzien FA, Baker DM. Direct and Indirect Effects of Sex Steroids on Gonadotrope Cell Plasticity in the Teleost Fish Pituitary. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:605068. [PMID: 33365013 PMCID: PMC7750530 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.605068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland controls many important physiological processes in vertebrates, including growth, homeostasis, and reproduction. As in mammals, the teleost pituitary exhibits a high degree of plasticity. This plasticity permits changes in hormone production and secretion necessary to meet the fluctuating demands over the life of an animal. Pituitary plasticity is achieved at both cellular and population levels. At the cellular level, hormone synthesis and release can be regulated via changes in cell composition to modulate both sensitivity and response to different signals. At the cell population level, the number of cells producing a given hormone can change due to proliferation, differentiation of progenitor cells, or transdifferentiation of specific cell types. Gonadotropes, which play an important role in the control of reproduction, have been intensively investigated during the last decades and found to display plasticity. To ensure appropriate endocrine function, gonadotropes rely on external and internal signals integrated at the brain level or by the gonadotropes themselves. One important group of internal signals is the sex steroids, produced mainly by the gonadal steroidogenic cells. Sex steroids have been shown to exert complex effects on the teleost pituitary, with differential effects depending on the species investigated, physiological status or sex of the animal, and dose or method of administration. This review summarizes current knowledge of the effects of sex steroids (androgens and estrogens) on gonadotrope cell plasticity in teleost anterior pituitary, discriminating direct from indirect effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristine von Krogh
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dianne M. Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, United States
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10
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Fontaine R, Ager-Wick E, Hodne K, Weltzien FA. Plasticity in medaka gonadotropes via cell proliferation and phenotypic conversion. J Endocrinol 2020; 245:21-37. [PMID: 31977313 PMCID: PMC7040568 DOI: 10.1530/joe-19-0405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) produced by the gonadotropes play a major role in control of reproduction. Contrary to mammals and birds, Lh and Fsh are mostly produced by two separate cell types in teleost. Here, we investigated gonadotrope plasticity, using transgenic lines of medaka (Oryzias latipes) where DsRed2 and hrGfpII are under the control of the fshb and lhb promotors respectively. We found that Fsh cells appear in the pituitary at 8 dpf, while Lh cells were previously shown to appear at 14 dpf. Similar to Lh cells, Fsh cells show hyperplasia from juvenile to adult stages. Hyperplasia is stimulated by estradiol. Both Fsh and Lh cells show hypertrophy during puberty with similar morphology. They also share similar behavior, using their cellular extensions to make networks. We observed bi-hormonal gonadotropes in juveniles and adults but not in larvae where only mono-hormonal cells are observed, suggesting the existence of phenotypic conversion between Fsh and Lh in later stages. This is demonstrated in cell culture, where some Fsh cells start to produce Lhβ, a phenomenon enhanced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh) stimulation. We have previously shown that medaka Fsh cells lack Gnrh receptors, but here we show that with time in culture, some Fsh cells start responding to Gnrh, while fshb mRNA levels are significantly reduced, both suggestive of phenotypic change. All together, these results reveal high plasticity of gonadotropes due to both estradiol-sensitive proliferation and Gnrh promoted phenotypic conversion, and moreover, show that gonadotropes lose part of their identity when kept in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence should be addressed to F-A Weltzien:
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Fontaine R, Ciani E, Haug TM, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Baker DM, Weltzien FA. Gonadotrope plasticity at cellular, population and structural levels: A comparison between fishes and mammals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 287:113344. [PMID: 31794734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Often referred to as "the master gland", the pituitary is a key organ controlling growth, maturation, and homeostasis in vertebrates. The anterior pituitary, which contains several hormone-producing cell types, is highly plastic and thereby able to adjust the production of the hormones governing these key physiological processes according to the changing needs over the life of the animal. Hypothalamic neuroendocrine control and feedback from peripheral tissues modulate pituitary cell activity, adjusting levels of hormone production and release according to different functional or environmental requirements. However, in some physiological processes (e.g. growth, puberty, or metamorphosis), changes in cell activity may be not sufficient to meet the needs and a general reorganization of cell composition and pituitary structure may occur. Focusing on gonadotropes, this review examines plasticity at the cellular level, which allows precise and rapid control of hormone production and secretion, as well as plasticity at the population and structural levels, which allows more substantial changes in hormone production. Further, we compare current knowledge of the anterior pituitary plasticity in fishes and mammals in order to assess what has been conserved or not throughout evolution, and highlight important remaining questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elia Ciani
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Trude Marie Haug
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dianne M Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, VA22401 Fredericksburg, VA, USA
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway.
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Ye C, Xu S, Hu Q, Hu M, Zhou L, Qin X, Jia J, Hu G. Structure and function analysis of various brain subregions and pituitary in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 33:100653. [PMID: 31923798 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.100653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
It has been generally acknowledged that environment could alter the morphology and functional differentiation of vertebrate brain. However, as the largest group of all vertebrates, studies about the structures and functions of various brain subregions in teleost are still scarce. In this study, using grass carp as a model, histology method and RNA-sequencing were recruited to examine the microstructure and transcript levels among different brain subregions and pituitary. Histological results showed that the grass carp brain was composed of six parts, including olfactory bulb, telencephalon, hypothalamus, optic tectum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata. In addition, compared to elasmobranchs and non-teleost bony ray-finned fishes, grass carp lost the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system, instead the hypophysiotropic neurons were directly terminated in the pituitary cells. At the transcriptomic level, our results suggested that the olfactory bulb might be related to reproduction and immune function. The telencephalon was deemed to be involved in the regulation of appetite and reproduction. The optic tectum might play important roles in the vision system and feeding. The hypothalamus could regulate feeding, and reproduction process. The medulla oblongata was related with the auditory system. The pituitary seemed to play pivotal roles in energy metabolism, organ development and reproduction. Finally, the correlation analysis suggested that the hypothalamus and the telencephalon were highly related, and close anatomical connection and overlapping functions suggested that the telencephalon and hypothalamus might be the regulation center of feeding and reproduction among teleost brain. This study provided a global view of the microstructures and specific functions of various brain subregions and pituitary in teleost. These results will be very helpful for further study in the neuroendocrinology regulation of growth and reproduction in teleost brain-pituitary axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ye
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shaohua Xu
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiongyao Hu
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Minqiang Hu
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lingling Zhou
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiangfeng Qin
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jingyi Jia
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guangfu Hu
- College of Fisheries, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Ciani E, Haug TM, Maugars G, Weltzien FA, Falcón J, Fontaine R. Effects of Melatonin on Anterior Pituitary Plasticity: A Comparison Between Mammals and Teleosts. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:605111. [PMID: 33505357 PMCID: PMC7831660 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.605111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a key hormone involved in the photoperiodic signaling pathway. In both teleosts and mammals, melatonin produced in the pineal gland at night is released into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, providing rhythmic information to the whole organism. Melatonin acts via specific receptors, allowing the synchronization of daily and annual physiological rhythms to environmental conditions. The pituitary gland, which produces several hormones involved in a variety of physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, stress and reproduction, is an important target of melatonin. Melatonin modulates pituitary cellular activities, adjusting the synthesis and release of the different pituitary hormones to the functional demands, which changes during the day, seasons and life stages. It is, however, not always clear whether melatonin acts directly or indirectly on the pituitary. Indeed, melatonin also acts both upstream, on brain centers that control the pituitary hormone production and release, as well as downstream, on the tissues targeted by the pituitary hormones, which provide positive and negative feedback to the pituitary gland. In this review, we describe the known pathways through which melatonin modulates anterior pituitary hormonal production, distinguishing indirect effects mediated by brain centers from direct effects on the anterior pituitary. We also highlight similarities and differences between teleosts and mammals, drawing attention to knowledge gaps, and suggesting aims for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Ciani
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trude M. Haug
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gersende Maugars
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jack Falcón
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), MNHN, CNRS FRE 2030, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Paris, France
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Romain Fontaine,
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Zabegalov KN, Kolesnikova TO, Khatsko SL, Volgin AD, Yakovlev OA, Amstislavskaya TG, Friend AJ, Bao W, Alekseeva PA, Lakstygal AM, Meshalkina DA, Demin KA, de Abreu MS, Rosemberg DB, Kalueff AV. Understanding zebrafish aggressive behavior. Behav Processes 2019; 158:200-210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Grandi G, Pezzi M, Marchetti MG, Chicca M. Immunocytochemical identification and ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells in a cave fish, Phreatichthys andruzzii (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2017; 90:1797-1822. [PMID: 28144938 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The morphogenesis of the pituitary gland and the chronological appearance of adenohypophyseal cells were investigated for the first time in the Somalian cave fish Phreatichthys andruzzii by immunocytochemistry. The adult adenohypophysis contained: a rostral pars distalis, with prolactin (PRL) cells arranged in follicles and adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) cells, a proximal pars distalis with somatotropic (GH), β-thyrotropic (TSH), β-gonadotropic type I (FSH) and type II (LH) cells and a pars intermedia with α-somatolactin (SL), α-melanotropic (MSH) and β-endorphin (END) cells. All regions were deeply penetrated by neurohypophyseal branches. At hatching (24 h post-fertilization) the pituitary was an oval cell mass, close to the ventral margin of diencephalon. The first immunoreactive cells appeared as follows: PRL at 0·5 days after hatching (dah), GH and SL at 1·5 dah, END at 2 dah, TSH, ACTH and MSH at 2·5 dah, FSH at 28 dah and LH at 90 dah. The neurohypophysis appeared at 5 dah and branched extensively inside the adenohypophysis at 130 dah, but there was no boundary between rostral pars distalis and proximal pars distalis at this stage. The potential indices of prolactin and growth hormone production increased until 28 and 60 dah, respectively. The potential index of growth hormone production correlated positively with total length. Activity of PRL and GH cells, measured as ratio of cell area to nucleus area, was significantly higher in juveniles than in larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Grandi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Pezzi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M G Marchetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Chicca
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy
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Rincón L, Obando MJ, Tovar MO, Pandolfi M, Hurtado H. Topological and histological description of preoptic area and hypothalamus in cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi (Characiformes: Characidae). NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20160145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Topological and histological descriptions of the preoptic area and hypothalamus of the cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi were performed. Standard histological paraffin sections were used and stained with Nissl technique, and plastic sections for high-resolution optic microscopy (HROM). The preoptic area showed some differences related to the location of the magnocellular preoptic nucleus (PM) and the size of the neurons in this region, as they were the biggest in all the preoptic area. Additionally, within the preoptic area, the different structures that comprise the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) were identified and characterized. The hypothalamus could be subdivided in three regions - the ventral, the dorsal and the caudal hypothalamic regions - neuron morphology, size and staining pattern were similar in all of them.
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Svensson J, Mustafa A, Fick J, Schmitz M, Brunström B. Developmental exposure to progestins causes male bias and precocious puberty in zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 177:316-323. [PMID: 27348263 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Progestins are aquatic contaminants that in low concentrations can impair fish reproduction. The mechanisms are likely multiple since different progestins interact with other steroid receptors in addition to progesterone receptors. Puberty is the process when animals first acquire the capability to reproduce and it comprises maturation of sperm and eggs. In zebrafish, puberty is initiated around 45days post fertilization (dpf) in females and around 53-55 dpf in males, and is marked by increased production of pituitary gonadotropins. We exposed juvenile zebrafish from 20 to 80 dpf to the androgenic progestin levonorgestrel at concentrations of 5.5, 79 and 834ngL(-1) and to the non-androgenic progestin progesterone at concentrations of 3.7, 77 and 1122ngL(-1), during sexual differentiation and puberty. Levonorgestrel exposure caused 100% males even at the lowest concentration tested whereas progesterone did not affect the sex ratio. Transcript levels of the gonadal genes amh, CYP11B and CYP19a1a indicated that the masculinizing effect of levonorgestrel occurred very rapidly. Transcript concentrations of gonadotropins in pituitaries were low in control fish at 44 dpf, but high at 55 dpf and onward. In fish exposed to levonorgestrel or progesterone gonadotropin transcript concentrations were high already at 44 dpf, indicating that both progestins caused precocious puberty. Gonad histology at 50 dpf confirmed a well advanced sexual maturation, but only in males. Our results show that progestins can affect sexual development in fish and that the androgenic progestin levonorgestrel induces a male phenotype at concentrations similar to those detected in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Svensson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-75 236, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Arshi Mustafa
- Department of Comparative Physiology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-75 236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 6, Umeå, SE-90 187, Sweden
| | - Monika Schmitz
- Department of Comparative Physiology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-75 236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Brunström
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-75 236, Uppsala, Sweden
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The Severity of Acute Stress Is Represented by Increased Synchronous Activity and Recruitment of Hypothalamic CRH Neurons. J Neurosci 2016; 36:3350-62. [PMID: 26985042 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3390-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis regulates stress physiology and behavior. To achieve an optimally tuned adaptive response, it is critical that the magnitude of the stress response matches the severity of the threat. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus is a major regulator of the HPA axis. However, how CRH-producing neurons in an intact animal respond to different stressor intensities is currently not known. Using two-photon calcium imaging on intact larval zebrafish, we recorded the activity of CRH cells, while the larvae were exposed to stressors of varying intensity. By combining behavioral and physiological measures, we first determined how sudden alterations in environmental conditions lead to different levels of stress axis activation. Then, we measured changes in the frequency and amplitude of Ca(2+) transients in individual CRH neurons in response to such stressors. The response magnitude of individual CRH cells covaried with stressor intensity. Furthermore, stressors caused the recruitment of previously inactive CRH neurons in an intensity-dependent manner, thus increasing the pool of responsive CRH cells. Strikingly, stressor-induced activity appeared highly synchronized among CRH neurons, and also across hemispheres. Thus, the stressor strength-dependent output of CRH neurons emerges by a dual mechanism that involves both the increased activity of individual cells and the recruitment of a larger pool of responsive cells. The synchronicity of CRH neurons within and across hemispheres ensures that the overall output of the HPA axis matches the severity of the threat. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Stressors trigger adaptive responses in the body that are essential for survival. How the brain responds to acute stressors of varying intensity in an intact animal, however, is not well understood. We address this question using two-photon Ca(2+) imaging in larval zebrafish with transgenically labeled corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) cells, which represent a major regulator of the stress axis. We show that stressor strength-dependent responses of CRH neurons emerge via an intensity-dependent increase in the activity of individual CRH cells, and by an increase in the pool of responsive CRH cells at the population level. Furthermore, we report striking synchronicity among CRH neurons even across hemispheres, which suggests tight intrahypothalamic and interhypothalamic coordination. Thus, our work reveals how CRH neurons respond to different levels of acute stress in vivo.
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Nakahara Y, Muto A, Hirabayashi R, Sakuma T, Yamamoto T, Kume S, Kikuchi Y. Temporal effects of Notch signaling and potential cooperation with multiple downstream effectors on adenohypophysis cell specification in zebrafish. Genes Cells 2016; 21:492-504. [PMID: 27027936 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The adenohypophysis (AH) consists of six distinct types of hormone-secreting cells. In zebrafish, although proper differentiation of all AH cell types has been shown to require Notch signaling within a period of 14-16 h postfertilization (hpf), the mechanisms underlying this process remain to be elucidated. Herein, we observed using the Notch inhibitor dibenzazepine (DBZ) that Notch signaling also contributed to AH cell specification beyond 16 hpf. Specification of distinct cell types was perturbed by DBZ treatment for different time frames, suggesting that AH cells are specified by Notch-dependent and cell-type-specific mechanisms. We also found that two hes-family genes, her4.1 and hey1, were expressed in the developing AH under the influence of Notch signaling. her4.1 knockdown reduced expression of proopiomelanocortin a (pomca), growth hormone (gh), and prolactin, whereas hey1 was responsible only for gh expression. Simultaneous loss of both Her4.1 and Hey1 produced milder phenotypes than that of DBZ-treated embryos. Moreover, DBZ treatment from 18 hpf led to a significant down-regulation of both gh and pomca genes only when combined with injection of a subthreshold level of her4.1-morpholino. These observations suggest that multiple downstream effectors, including Her4.1 and Hey1, mediate Notch signaling during AH cell specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinari Nakahara
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Akihiko Muto
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Ryo Hirabayashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Shoen Kume
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
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Abstract
Cranial sensory placodes derive from discrete patches of the head ectoderm and give rise to numerous sensory structures. During gastrulation, a specialized "neural border zone" forms around the neural plate in response to interactions between the neural and nonneural ectoderm and signals from adjacent mesodermal and/or endodermal tissues. This zone subsequently gives rise to two distinct precursor populations of the peripheral nervous system: the neural crest and the preplacodal ectoderm (PPE). The PPE is a common field from which all cranial sensory placodes arise (adenohypophyseal, olfactory, lens, trigeminal, epibranchial, otic). Members of the Six family of transcription factors are major regulators of PPE specification, in partnership with cofactor proteins such as Eya. Six gene activity also maintains tissue boundaries between the PPE, neural crest, and epidermis by repressing genes that specify the fates of those adjacent ectodermally derived domains. As the embryo acquires anterior-posterior identity, the PPE becomes transcriptionally regionalized, and it subsequently becomes subdivided into specific placodes with distinct developmental fates in response to signaling from adjacent tissues. Each placode is characterized by a unique transcriptional program that leads to the differentiation of highly specialized cells, such as neurosecretory cells, sensory receptor cells, chemosensory neurons, peripheral glia, and supporting cells. In this review, we summarize the transcriptional and signaling factors that regulate key steps of placode development, influence subsequent sensory neuron specification, and discuss what is known about mutations in some of the essential PPE genes that underlie human congenital syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington University Institute for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Anthony-Samuel LaMantia
- George Washington University Institute for Neuroscience, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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21
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de Jesus LWO, Chehade C, Costa FG, Borella MI. Pituitary gland morphogenesis and ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells of Salminus brasiliensis (Teleostei, Characiformes). FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2014; 40:897-909. [PMID: 24310491 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-013-9895-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we describe for the first time the details of the pituitary gland morphogenesis and the ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells of a South American Characiform species with great importance for Brazilian Aquaculture, Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes, Characidae), from hatching to 25 days after hatching (dah), by histochemical and immunocytochemical methods. The pituitary placode was first detected at hatching (0 dah), and the pituitary anlage became more defined at 0.5 dah. The neurohypophysis (NH) development started at 3 dah, and the early formation of its stalk at 12.5 dah. An increase in adenohypophyseal and NH tissues was also observed, and in juveniles at 25 dah, the pituitary displayed similar morphology to that found in adults of this species, displaying the main features of the teleost pituitary. PRL cells were detected at 0.5 dah, together with ACTH and α-MSH cells, followed by GH and SL cells at 1.5 dah. β-FSH cells were detected at 25 dah, while β-LH cells at 5 dah. The pituitary development in this species comprises a dynamic process similar to other teleosts. Our findings in S. brasiliensis corroborate the heterogeneity in the ontogeny of adenohypophyseal cells in teleosts and suggest a role for adenohypophyseal hormones in the early development of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lázaro Wender Oliveira de Jesus
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
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22
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Weltzien FA, Hildahl J, Hodne K, Okubo K, Haug TM. Embryonic development of gonadotrope cells and gonadotropic hormones--lessons from model fish. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 385:18-27. [PMID: 24145126 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), are key regulators of vertebrate reproduction. The differential regulation of these hormones, however, is poorly understood and little is known about gonadotrope embryonic development. The different cell types in the vertebrate pituitary develop from common progenitor cells just after gastrulation. Proper development and merging of the anterior and posterior pituitary is dependent upon carefully regulated cell-to-cell interactions, and a suite of signaling pathways with precisely organized temporal and spatial expression patterns, which include transcription factors and their co-activators and repressors. Among the pituitary endocrine cell types, the gonadotropes are the last to develop and become functional. Although much progress has been made during the last decade regarding details of gonadotrope development, the coordinated program for their maturation is not well described. FSH and LH form an integral part of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonad axis, the main regulator of gonad development and reproduction. Besides regulating gonad development, pre- and early post-natal activity in this axis is thought to be essential for proper development, especially of the central nervous system in mammals. As a means to investigate early functions of FSH and LH in more detail, we have developed a stable transgenic line of medaka with the LH beta subunit gene (lhb) promoter driving green fluorescent protein (Gfp) expression to characterize development of lhb-expressing gonadotropes. The lhb gene is maternally expressed early during embryogenesis. lhb-Expressing cells are initially localized outside the primordial pituitary in the developing gut tube as early as 32 hpf. At hatching, lhb-Gfp is clearly detected in the gut epithelium and in the anterior digestive tract. lhb-Gfp expression later consolidates in the developing pituitary by 2 weeks post-fertilization. This review discusses status of knowledge regarding pituitary morphology and development, with emphasis on gonadotrope cells and gonadotropins during early development, comparing main model species like mouse, zebrafish and medaka, including possible developmental functions of the observed extra pituitary expression of lhb in medaka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Weltzien Laboratory, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway; Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jon Hildahl
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Weltzien Laboratory, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway; Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Weltzien Laboratory, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kataaki Okubo
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Trude M Haug
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Saint-Jeannet JP, Moody SA. Establishing the pre-placodal region and breaking it into placodes with distinct identities. Dev Biol 2014; 389:13-27. [PMID: 24576539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Specialized sensory organs in the vertebrate head originate from thickenings in the embryonic ectoderm called cranial sensory placodes. These placodes, as well as the neural crest, arise from a zone of ectoderm that borders the neural plate. This zone separates into a precursor field for the neural crest that lies adjacent to the neural plate, and a precursor field for the placodes, called the pre-placodal region (PPR), that lies lateral to the neural crest. The neural crest domain and the PPR are established in response to signaling events mediated by BMPs, FGFs and Wnts, which differentially activate transcription factors in these territories. In the PPR, members of the Six and Eya families, act in part to repress neural crest specific transcription factors, thus solidifying a placode developmental program. Subsequently, in response to environmental cues the PPR is further subdivided into placodal territories with distinct characteristics, each expressing a specific repertoire of transcription factors that provide the necessary information for their progression to mature sensory organs. In this review we summarize recent advances in the characterization of the signaling molecules and transcriptional effectors that regulate PPR specification and its subdivision into placodal domains with distinct identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Saint-Jeannet
- Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University, College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York City, NY 10010, USA.
| | - Sally A Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I (eye) Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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Nesan D, Vijayan MM. Role of glucocorticoid in developmental programming: evidence from zebrafish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 181:35-44. [PMID: 23103788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate corticosteroid stress response is highly conserved and a key function is to restore homeostasis by mobilizing and reallocating energy stores. This process is primarily initiated by activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to the release of corticosteroids into the circulation. In teleosts, cortisol is the primary corticosteroid that is released into the circulation in response to stress. This steroid activates corticosteroid receptors that are ligand-bound transcription factors, modulating downstream gene expression in target tissues. Recent research in zebrafish (Danio rerio) has identified novel roles for cortisol in early developmental processes, including organogenesis and mesoderm formation. As cortisol biosynthesis commences only around the time of hatch in teleosts, the early developmental events are orchestrated by cortisol that is maternally deposited prior to fertilization. This review will highlight the molecular events leading to the development of the corticosteroid stress axis, and the possible role of cortisol in the developmental programming of stress axis function. Use of zebrafish as a model may lead to significant insights into the conserved role of glucocorticoids during early development with potential implications in biomedical research, including fetal stress syndromes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinushan Nesan
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
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Azuma M, Suzuki T, Mochida H, Tanaka S, Uchiyama M, Takahashi A, Matsuda K. Polymorphism of somatolactin-producing cells in the goldfish pituitary: immunohistochemical investigation for somatolactin-α and -β. Cell Tissue Res 2012; 350:167-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-012-1435-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Tubert C, Lo Nostro F, Villafañe V, Pandolfi M. Aggressive behavior and reproductive physiology in females of the social cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus. Physiol Behav 2012; 106:193-200. [PMID: 22342192 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The South American cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus is a freshwater species that presents social hierarchies, a highly organized breeding activity, biparental care and a high frequency of spawning. Spawning is followed by a period of parental care (about 20 days in aquaria conditions) during which the cooperative pair takes care of the eggs, both by fanning them and by removing dead ones. The different spawning events in the reproductive period were classified as female reproductive stages which can be subdivided in four phases, according to their offspring degree of development: (1) female with prespawning activity (day 0), (2) female with eggs (day 1 after fertilization), (3) female with hatched larvae (day 3 after fertilization) and (4) female with swimming larvae (FSL, day 8 after fertilization). In Perciform species gonadotropin-releasing hormone type-3 (GnRH3) neurons are associated with the olfactory bulbs acting as a potent neuromodulator of reproductive behaviors in males. The aim of this study is to characterize the GnRH3 neuronal system in females of C. dimerus in relation with aggressive behavior and reproductive physiology during different phases of the reproductive period. Females with prespawning activity were the most aggressive ones showing GnRH-3 neurons with bigger nuclear and somatic area and higher optical density than the others. They also presented the highest levels of plasma androgen and estradiol and maximum gonadosomatic indexes. These results provide information about the regulation and functioning of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis during reproduction in a species with highly organized breeding activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Tubert
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, (C1428EHA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Angotzi AR, Mungpakdee S, Stefansson S, Male R, Chourrout D. Involvement of Prop1 homeobox gene in the early development of fish pituitary gland. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 171:332-40. [PMID: 21362424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
When mutated in mammals, paired-like homeobox Prop1 gene produces highly variable pituitary phenotypes with impaired regulation of Pit1 and eventually defective synthesis of Pit1-regulated pituitary hormones. Here we have identified fish prop1 orthologs, confirmed their pituitary-specific expression, and blocked the splicing of zebrafish prop1 transcripts using morpholino oligonucleotides. Very early steps of the gland formation seemed unaffected based on morphology and expression of early placodal marker pitx. Prop1 knock-down reduced the expression of pit1, prl (prolactin) and gh (growth hormone), as expected if the function of Prop1 is conserved throughout vertebrates. Less expectedly, lim3 was down regulated. This gene is expressed from early stages of vertebrate pituitary development but is not known to be Prop1-dependent. In situ hybridizations on prop1 morphants using probes for the pan pituitary gene pitx3 and for the hormone gene markers prl, gh and tshβ, revealed abnormal shape, growth and cellular organization of the developed adenohypophysis. Strikingly, the effects of prop1 knock-down on adenohypophysis morphology and gene expression were gradually reversed during late development, despite persistent splice-blocking of transcripts. Therefore, prop1 function appears to be conserved between mammals and fish, at least for the mediation of hormonal cell type differentiation via pit1, but the existence of other fish-specific pathways downstream of prop1 are suggested by our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rita Angotzi
- Sars, International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, High Technology Centre, Thormoehlensgt 55, N-5008 Bergen, Norway
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Löhr H, Hammerschmidt M. Zebrafish in Endocrine Systems: Recent Advances and Implications for Human Disease. Annu Rev Physiol 2011; 73:183-211. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-012110-142320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Löhr
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, D-50923 Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, D-50923 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CEDAD), University of Cologne, D-50923 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, D-50923 Cologne, Germany;
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Ríos Y, Melmed S, Lin S, Liu NA. Zebrafish usp39 mutation leads to rb1 mRNA splicing defect and pituitary lineage expansion. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1001271. [PMID: 21249182 PMCID: PMC3020934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor function is associated with human malignancies. Molecular and genetic mechanisms responsible for tumorigenic Rb downregulation are not fully defined. Through a forward genetic screen and positional cloning, we identified and characterized a zebrafish ubiquitin specific peptidase 39 (usp39) mutation, the yeast and human homolog of which encodes a component of RNA splicing machinery. Zebrafish usp39 mutants exhibit microcephaly and adenohypophyseal cell lineage expansion without apparent changes in major hypothalamic hormonal and regulatory signals. Gene expression profiling of usp39 mutants revealed decreased rb1 and increased e2f4, rbl2 (p130), and cdkn1a (p21) expression. Rb1 mRNA overexpression, or antisense morpholino knockdown of e2f4, partially reversed embryonic pituitary expansion in usp39 mutants. Analysis of pre-mRNA splicing status of critical cell cycle regulators showed misspliced Rb1 pre-mRNA resulting in a premature stop codon. These studies unravel a novel mechanism for rb1 regulation by a neuronal mRNA splicing factor, usp39. Zebrafish usp39 regulates embryonic pituitary homeostasis by targeting rb1 and e2f4 expression, respectively, contributing to increased adenohypophyseal sensitivity to these altered cell cycle regulators. These results provide a mechanism for dysregulated rb1 and e2f4 pathways that may result in pituitary tumorigenesis. Previous studies have shown that Rb+/− mice develop pituitary adenomas; however, RB1 mutations have not been found in human pituitary tumors. In the present study, we uncovered a novel genetic pathway that may lead to Rb downregulation through RNA splicing mediated by usp39, a gene involved in assembly of the spliceosome. Our forward genetic study in zebrafish suggests that loss of usp39 results in aberrant rb1 mRNA splicing, which likely causes elevated expression of its target e2f4, a key regulator known to have oncogenic activity when overexpressed. We established that e2f4 upregulation is a main factor responsible for the adenohypophyseal cell lineage hyperplasia observed in the zebrafish usp39 mutant. It should be of interest to investigate if mutations or downregulation of USP39 would contribute to pituitary tumorigenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Ríos
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shlomo Melmed
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shuo Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SL); (NAL)
| | - Ning-Ai Liu
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SL); (NAL)
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Davis SW, Castinetti F, Carvalho LR, Ellsworth BS, Potok MA, Lyons RH, Brinkmeier ML, Raetzman LT, Carninci P, Mortensen AH, Hayashizaki Y, Arnhold IJP, Mendonça BB, Brue T, Camper SA. Molecular mechanisms of pituitary organogenesis: In search of novel regulatory genes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 323:4-19. [PMID: 20025935 PMCID: PMC2909473 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in pituitary gland organogenesis are sometimes associated with congenital anomalies that affect head development. Lesions in transcription factors and signaling pathways explain some of these developmental syndromes. Basic research studies, including the characterization of genetically engineered mice, provide a mechanistic framework for understanding how mutations create the clinical characteristics observed in patients. Defects in BMP, WNT, Notch, and FGF signaling pathways affect induction and growth of the pituitary primordium and other organ systems partly by altering the balance between signaling pathways. The PITX and LHX transcription factor families influence pituitary and head development and are clinically relevant. A few later-acting transcription factors have pituitary-specific effects, including PROP1, POU1F1 (PIT1), and TPIT (TBX19), while others, such as NeuroD1 and NR5A1 (SF1), are syndromic, influencing development of other endocrine organs. We conducted a survey of genes transcribed in developing mouse pituitary to find candidates for cases of pituitary hormone deficiency of unknown etiology. We identified numerous transcription factors that are members of gene families with roles in syndromic or non-syndromic pituitary hormone deficiency. This collection is a rich source for future basic and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Davis
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 41809-5618, USA
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Cellular in vivo imaging reveals coordinated regulation of pituitary microcirculation and GH cell network function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:4465-70. [PMID: 20160103 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0902599107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) exerts its actions via coordinated pulsatile secretion from a GH cell network into the bloodstream. Practically nothing is known about how the network receives its inputs in vivo and releases hormones into pituitary capillaries to shape GH pulses. Here we have developed in vivo approaches to measure local blood flow, oxygen partial pressure, and cell activity at single-cell resolution in mouse pituitary glands in situ. When secretagogue (GHRH) distribution was modeled with fluorescent markers injected into either the bloodstream or the nearby intercapillary space, a restricted distribution gradient evolved within the pituitary parenchyma. Injection of GHRH led to stimulation of both GH cell network activities and GH secretion, which was temporally associated with increases in blood flow rates and oxygen supply by capillaries, as well as oxygen consumption. Moreover, we observed a time-limiting step for hormone output at the perivascular level; macromolecules injected into the extracellular parenchyma moved rapidly to the perivascular space, but were then cleared more slowly in a size-dependent manner into capillary blood. Our findings suggest that GH pulse generation is not simply a GH cell network response, but is shaped by a tissue microenvironment context involving a functional association between the GH cell network activity and fluid microcirculation.
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32
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Levavi-Sivan B, Bogerd J, Mañanós EL, Gómez A, Lareyre JJ. Perspectives on fish gonadotropins and their receptors. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2010; 165:412-37. [PMID: 19686749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2009.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Revised: 07/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Teleosts lack a hypophyseal portal system and hence neurohormones are carried by nerve fibers from the preoptic region to the pituitary. The various cell types in the teleost pituitary are organized in discrete domains. Fish possess two gonadotropins (GtH) similar to FSH and LH in other vertebrates; they are heterodimeric hormones that consist of a common alpha subunit non-covalently associated with a hormone-specific beta subunit. In recent years the availability of molecular cloning techniques allowed the isolation of the genes coding for the GtH subunits in 56 fish species representing at least 14 teleost orders. Advanced molecular engineering provides the technology to produce recombinant GtHs from isolated cDNAs. Various expression systems have been used for the production of recombinant proteins. Recombinant fish GtHs were produced for carp, seabream, channel and African catfish, goldfish, eel, tilapia, zebrafish, Manchurian trout and Orange-spotted grouper. The hypothalamus in fishes exerts its regulation on the release of the GtHs via several neurohormones such as GnRH, dopamine, GABA, PACAP, IGF-I, norepinephrine, NPY, kisspeptin, leptin and ghrelin. In addition, gonadal steroids and peptides exert their effects on the gonadotropins either directly or via the hypothalamus. All these are discussed in detail in this review. In mammals, the biological activities of FSH and LH are directed to different gonadal target cells through the cell-specific expression of the FSH receptor (FSHR) and LH receptor (LHR), respectively, and the interaction between each gonadotropin-receptor couple is highly selective. In contrast, the bioactivity of fish gonadotropins seems to be less specific as a result of promiscuous hormone-receptor interactions, while FSHR expression in Leydig cells explains the strong steroidogenic activity of FSH in certain fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Levavi-Sivan
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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33
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Schlosser G. Making senses development of vertebrate cranial placodes. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 283:129-234. [PMID: 20801420 DOI: 10.1016/s1937-6448(10)83004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cranial placodes (which include the adenohypophyseal, olfactory, lens, otic, lateral line, profundal/trigeminal, and epibranchial placodes) give rise to many sense organs and ganglia of the vertebrate head. Recent evidence suggests that all cranial placodes may be developmentally related structures, which originate from a common panplacodal primordium at neural plate stages and use similar regulatory mechanisms to control developmental processes shared between different placodes such as neurogenesis and morphogenetic movements. After providing a brief overview of placodal diversity, the present review summarizes current evidence for the existence of a panplacodal primordium and discusses the central role of transcription factors Six1 and Eya1 in the regulation of processes shared between different placodes. Upstream signaling events and transcription factors involved in early embryonic induction and specification of the panplacodal primordium are discussed next. I then review how individual placodes arise from the panplacodal primordium and present a model of multistep placode induction. Finally, I briefly summarize recent advances concerning how placodal neurons and sensory cells are specified, and how morphogenesis of placodes (including delamination and migration of placode-derived cells and invagination) is controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Schlosser
- Zoology, School of Natural Sciences & Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
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Kelberman D, Rizzoti K, Lovell-Badge R, Robinson ICAF, Dattani MT. Genetic regulation of pituitary gland development in human and mouse. Endocr Rev 2009; 30:790-829. [PMID: 19837867 PMCID: PMC2806371 DOI: 10.1210/er.2009-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Normal hypothalamopituitary development is closely related to that of the forebrain and is dependent upon a complex genetic cascade of transcription factors and signaling molecules that may be either intrinsic or extrinsic to the developing Rathke's pouch. These factors dictate organ commitment, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation within the anterior pituitary. Abnormalities in these processes are associated with congenital hypopituitarism, a spectrum of disorders that includes syndromic disorders such as septo-optic dysplasia, combined pituitary hormone deficiencies, and isolated hormone deficiencies, of which the commonest is GH deficiency. The highly variable clinical phenotypes can now in part be explained due to research performed over the last 20 yr, based mainly on naturally occurring and transgenic animal models. Mutations in genes encoding both signaling molecules and transcription factors have been implicated in the etiology of hypopituitarism, with or without other syndromic features, in mice and humans. To date, mutations in known genes account for a small proportion of cases of hypopituitarism in humans. However, these mutations have led to a greater understanding of the genetic interactions that lead to normal pituitary development. This review attempts to describe the complexity of pituitary development in the rodent, with particular emphasis on those factors that, when mutated, are associated with hypopituitarism in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kelberman
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
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Pogoda HM, Hammerschmidt M. How to make a teleost adenohypophysis: molecular pathways of pituitary development in zebrafish. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 312:2-13. [PMID: 19728983 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2008] [Revised: 03/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland, or adenohypophysis (AH), represents the key component of the vertebrate hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis, where it functions at the interphase of the nervous and endocrine system to regulate basic body functions like growth, metabolism and reproduction. For developmental biologists, the adenohypophysis serves as an excellent model system for the studies of organogenesis and differential cell fate specification. Previous research, mainly done in mouse, identified numerous extrinsic signaling cues and intrinsic transcription factors that orchestrate the gland's developmental progression. In the past years, the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful tool to elucidate the genetic networks controlling vertebrate development, behavior and disease. Based on mutants isolated in forward genetic screens and on gene knock-downs using morpholino oligonucleotide (oligo) antisense technology, our current understanding of the molecular machinery driving adenohypophyseal ontogeny could be considerably improved. In addition, comparative analyses have shed further light onto the evolution of this rather recently invented organ. The goal of this review is to summarize current knowledge of the genetic and molecular control of zebrafish pituitary development, with special focus on most recent findings, including some thus far unpublished data from our own laboratory on the transcription factor Six1. In addition, zebrafish data will be discussed in comparison with current understanding of adenohypophysis development in mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Martin Pogoda
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Gyrhofstr. 17, D-50931 Cologne, Germany.
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38
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Alderman SL, Bernier NJ. Ontogeny of the corticotropin-releasing factor system in zebrafish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2009; 164:61-9. [PMID: 19366623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2009.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2009] [Revised: 03/30/2009] [Accepted: 04/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in fish functions to maintain homeostasis during stress in part by regulating cortisol production via the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis. Towards understanding the role of the CRF system in vertebrate development, we describe the ontogeny of the CRF system, cortisol, and the stress response in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Early embryonic expression of mRNA encoding CRF, urotensin I (UI), CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), and two CRF receptors (CRF-R1 and CRF-R2) suggest a function in the early organization of the developing embryo. The expression patterns of CRF, UI, and CRF-BP in the larval brain are consistent with the adult distribution patterns for these genes and support HPI-axis independent functions. The relative amounts of CRF and UI mRNA in the heads and tails of developing and adult zebrafish suggest that CRF functions primarily in the brain while UI also plays an important role in the caudal neurosecretory system. The amount of cortisol in developing zebrafish is low and relatively constant through the first 6 days of development. The commencement of feeding after 4 dpf, however, significantly increases basal cortisol production. Finally, we show that zebrafish larvae are able to respond to an osmotic stressor as early as 3 dpf. Overall, results from this study establish the zebrafish as a model species for research on stress during ontogeny and offer new insights into an HPI-axis independent function for the CRF system during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Alderman
- University of Guelph, Department of Integrative Biology, Ont., Canada
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39
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A dynamic Gli code interprets Hh signals to regulate induction, patterning, and endocrine cell specification in the zebrafish pituitary. Dev Biol 2009; 326:143-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2008] [Revised: 10/30/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Toro S, Wegner J, Muller M, Westerfield M, Varga ZM. Identification of differentially expressed genes in the zebrafish hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Gene Expr Patterns 2009; 9:200-8. [PMID: 19166982 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2008.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2008] [Revised: 12/12/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HP) is the main link between the central nervous system and endocrine system. Although several signal pathways and regulatory genes have been implicated in adenohypophysis ontogenesis, little is known about hypothalamic-neurohypophysial development or when the HP matures and becomes functional. To identify markers of the HP, we constructed subtractive cDNA libraries between adult zebrafish hypothalamus and pituitary. We identified previously published genes, ESTs and novel zebrafish genes, some of which were predicted by genomic database analysis. We also analyzed expression patterns of these genes and found that several are expressed in the embryonic and larval hypothalamus, neurohypophysis, and/or adenohypophysis. Expression at these stages makes these genes useful markers to study HP maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Toro
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
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Cherrington BD, Bailey JS, Diaz AL, Mellon PL. NeuroD1 and Mash1 temporally regulate GnRH receptor gene expression in immortalized mouse gonadotrope cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2008; 295:106-14. [PMID: 18760324 PMCID: PMC2640340 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2008] [Revised: 07/08/2008] [Accepted: 07/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Accurate spatial and temporal expression of gonadotrope-specific genes, such as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene, is critical for gonadotrope maturation. Herein, we show that a specific E-box in the mouse GnRHR promoter binds two group A basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Mutation of this E-box decreases expression in mouse gonadotrope-derived alphaT3-1 and LbetaT2 cell lines. Microarray and western blots show that the bHLH transcription factor NeuroD1 is strongly expressed in the gonadotrope progenitor, alphaT3-1, whereas Mash1 is strongly expressed in the more mature gonadotrope, LbetaT2. Over-expression of NeuroD1 or Mash1 increases expression of the GnRHR gene or a multimer of the E-box and this increase is lost upon mutation of the E-box. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays reveal that the GnRHR E-box binds NeuroD1 from alphaT3-1 cells, but binds Mash1 from LbetaT2 cells. The sequential binding of different members of the group A bHLH transcription factor family to mouse GnRHR E-box 3 as the gonadotrope differentiates may represent a mechanism necessary for proper spatial and temporal expression of the GnRHR during gonadotrope development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pamela L. Mellon
- Corresponding Author: Pamela L. Mellon, Ph.D., Dept. of Reproductive Medicine, 0674, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0674, (858) 534-1312, Fax (858) 534-1438,
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Nguyen N, Stellwag EJ, Zhu Y. Prolactin-dependent modulation of organogenesis in the vertebrate: Recent discoveries in zebrafish. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2008; 148:370-80. [PMID: 18593647 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2008] [Revised: 05/19/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The scientific literature is replete with evidence of the multifarious functions of the prolactin (PRL)/growth hormone (GH) superfamily in adult vertebrates. However, little information is available on the roles of PRL and related hormones prior to the adult stage of development. A limited number of studies suggest that GH functions to stimulate glucose transport and protein synthesis in mouse blastocytes and may be involved during mammalian embryogenesis. In contrast, the evidence for a role of PRL during vertebrate embryogenesis is limited and controversial. Genes encoding GH/PRL hormones and their respective receptors are actively transcribed and translated in various animal models at different time points, particularly during tissue remodeling. We have addressed the potential function of GH/PRL hormones during embryonic development in zebrafish by the temporary inhibition of in vivo PRL translation. This treatment caused multiple morphological defects consistent with a role of PRL in embryonic-stage organogenesis. The affected organs and tissues are known targets of PRL activity in fish and homologous structures in mammalian species. Traditionally, the GH/PRL hormones are viewed as classical endocrine hormones, mediating functions through the circulatory system. More recent evidence points to cytokine-like actions of these hormones through either an autocrine or a paracrine mechanism. In some situations they could mimic actions of developmentally regulated genes as suggested by experiments in multiple organisms. In this review, we present similarities and disparities between zebrafish and mammalian models in relation to PRL and PRLR activity. We conclude that the zebrafish could serve as a suitable alternative to the rodent model to study PRL functions in development, especially in relation to organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhu Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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Guner B, Ozacar AT, Thomas JE, Karlstrom RO. Graded hedgehog and fibroblast growth factor signaling independently regulate pituitary cell fates and help establish the pars distalis and pars intermedia of the zebrafish adenohypophysis. Endocrinology 2008; 149:4435-51. [PMID: 18499750 PMCID: PMC2553376 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate adenohypophysis forms as a placode at the anterior margin of the neural plate, requiring both hedgehog (Hh) and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) mediated cell-cell signaling for induction and survival of endocrine cell types. Using small molecule inhibitors to modulate signaling levels during zebrafish development we show that graded Hh and Fgf signaling independently help establish the two subdomains of the adenohypophysis, the anteriorly located pars distalis (PD) and the posterior pars intermedia (PI). High levels of Hh signaling are required for formation of the PD and differentiation of anterior endocrine cell types, whereas lower levels of Hh signaling are required for formation of the PI and differentiation of posterior endocrine cell types. In contrast, high Fgf signaling levels are required for formation of the PI and posterior endocrine cell differentiation, whereas anterior regions require lower levels of Fgf signaling. Based on live observations and marker analyses, we show that the PD forms first at the midline closest to the central nervous system source of Sonic hedgehog. In contrast the PI appears to form from more lateral/posterior cells close to a central nervous system source of Fgf3. Together our data show that graded Hh and Fgf signaling independently direct induction of the PD and PI and help establish endocrine cell fates along the anterior/posterior axis of the zebrafish adenohypophysis. These data suggest that there are distinct origins and signaling requirements for the PD and PI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Guner
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
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Schlegel A, Stainier DYR. Lessons from "lower" organisms: what worms, flies, and zebrafish can teach us about human energy metabolism. PLoS Genet 2008; 3:e199. [PMID: 18081423 PMCID: PMC2098794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A pandemic of metabolic diseases (atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and obesity), unleashed by multiple social and economic factors beyond the control of most individuals, threatens to diminish human life span for the first time in the modern era. Given the redundancy and inherent complexity of processes regulating the uptake, transport, catabolism, and synthesis of nutrients, magic bullets to target these diseases will be hard to find. Recent studies using the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the zebrafish Danio rerio indicate that these “lower” metazoans possess unique attributes that should help in identifying, investigating, and even validating new pharmaceutical targets for these diseases. We summarize findings in these organisms that shed light on highly conserved pathways of energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Schlegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.
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