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Benner L, Muron S, Gomez JG, Oliver B. OVO Positively Regulates Essential Maternal Pathways by Binding Near the Transcriptional Start Sites in the Drosophila Female Germline. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.01.565184. [PMID: 38076814 PMCID: PMC10705541 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of female germline stem cells into a mature oocyte includes the expression of RNAs and proteins that drive early embryonic development in Drosophila. We have little insight into what activates the expression of these maternal factors. One candidate is the zinc-finger protein OVO. OVO is required for female germline viability and has been shown to positively regulate its own expression, as well as a downstream target, ovarian tumor, by binding to the transcriptional start site (TSS). To find additional OVO targets in the female germline and further elucidate OVO's role in oocyte development, we performed ChIP-seq to determine genome-wide OVO occupancy, as well as RNA-seq comparing hypomorphic and wild type rescue ovo alleles. OVO preferentially binds in close proximity to target TSSs genome-wide, is associated with open chromatin, transcriptionally active histone marks, and OVO-dependent expression. Motif enrichment analysis on OVO ChIP peaks identified a 5'-TAACNGT-3' OVO DNA binding motif spatially enriched near TSSs. However, the OVO DNA binding motif does not exhibit precise motif spacing relative to the TSS characteristic of RNA Polymerase II complex binding core promoter elements. Integrated genomics analysis showed that 525 genes that are bound and increase in expression downstream of OVO are known to be essential maternally expressed genes. These include genes involved in anterior/posterior/germ plasm specification (bcd, exu, swa, osk, nos, aub, pgc, gcl), egg activation (png, plu, gnu, wisp, C(3)g, mtrm), translational regulation (cup, orb, bru1, me31B), and vitelline membrane formation (fs(1)N, fs(1)M3, clos). This suggests that OVO is a master transcriptional regulator of oocyte development and is responsible for the expression of structural components of the egg as well as maternally provided RNAs that are required for early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Benner
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Savannah Muron
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jillian G Gomez
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian Oliver
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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2
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Berg C, Sieber M, Sun J. Finishing the egg. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad183. [PMID: 38000906 PMCID: PMC10763546 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamete development is a fundamental process that is highly conserved from early eukaryotes to mammals. As germ cells develop, they must coordinate a dynamic series of cellular processes that support growth, cell specification, patterning, the loading of maternal factors (RNAs, proteins, and nutrients), differentiation of structures to enable fertilization and ensure embryonic survival, and other processes that make a functional oocyte. To achieve these goals, germ cells integrate a complex milieu of environmental and developmental signals to produce fertilizable eggs. Over the past 50 years, Drosophila oogenesis has risen to the forefront as a system to interrogate the sophisticated mechanisms that drive oocyte development. Studies in Drosophila have defined mechanisms in germ cells that control meiosis, protect genome integrity, facilitate mRNA trafficking, and support the maternal loading of nutrients. Work in this system has provided key insights into the mechanisms that establish egg chamber polarity and patterning as well as the mechanisms that drive ovulation and egg activation. Using the power of Drosophila genetics, the field has begun to define the molecular mechanisms that coordinate environmental stresses and nutrient availability with oocyte development. Importantly, the majority of these reproductive mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, and many play critical roles in the development of somatic tissues as well. In this chapter, we summarize the recent progress in several key areas that impact egg chamber development and ovulation. First, we discuss the mechanisms that drive nutrient storage and trafficking during oocyte maturation and vitellogenesis. Second, we examine the processes that regulate follicle cell patterning and how that patterning impacts the construction of the egg shell and the establishment of embryonic polarity. Finally, we examine regulatory factors that control ovulation, egg activation, and successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Berg
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5065USA
| | - Matthew Sieber
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390USA
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269USA
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3
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Sheahan TD, Grewal A, Korthauer LE, Blumenthal EM. The Drosophila drop-dead gene is required for eggshell integrity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295412. [PMID: 38051756 PMCID: PMC10697589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The eggshell of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model for understanding the synthesis of a complex extracellular matrix. The eggshell is synthesized during mid-to-late oogenesis by the somatic follicle cells that surround the developing oocyte. We previously reported that female flies mutant for the gene drop-dead (drd) are sterile, but the underlying cause of the sterility remained unknown. In this study, we examined the role of drd in eggshell synthesis. We show that eggs laid by drd mutant females are fertilized but arrest early in embryogenesis, and that the innermost layer of the eggshell, the vitelline membrane, is abnormally permeable to dye in these eggs. In addition, the major vitelline membrane proteins fail to become crosslinked by nonreducible bonds, a process that normally occurs during egg activation following ovulation, as evidenced by their solubility and detection by Western blot in laid eggs. In contrast, the Cp36 protein, which is found in the outer chorion layers of the eggshell, becomes crosslinked normally. To link the drd expression pattern with these phenotypes, we show that drd is expressed in the ovarian follicle cells beginning in mid-oogenesis, and, importantly, that all drd mutant eggshell phenotypes could be recapitulated by selective knockdown of drd expression in the follicle cells. To determine whether drd expression was required for the crosslinking itself, we performed in vitro activation and crosslinking experiments. The vitelline membranes of control egg chambers could become crosslinked either by incubation in hyperosmotic medium, which activates the egg chambers, or by exogenous peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, neither treatment resulted in the crosslinking of the vitelline membrane in drd mutant egg chambers. These results indicate that drd expression in the follicle cells is necessary for vitelline membrane proteins to serve as substrates for peroxidase-mediated cross-linking at the end of oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayler D. Sheahan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Amanpreet Grewal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Korthauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Edward M. Blumenthal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
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4
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Sheahan TD, Grewal A, Korthauer LE, Blumenthal EM. The Drosophila drop-dead gene is required for eggshell integrity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.25.538335. [PMID: 37163052 PMCID: PMC10168300 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.25.538335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The eggshell of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model for understanding the synthesis of a complex extracellular matrix. The eggshell is synthesized during mid-to-late oogenesis by the somatic follicle cells that surround the developing oocyte. We previously reported that female flies mutant for the gene drop-dead ( drd ) are sterile, but the underlying cause of the sterility remained unknown. In this study, we examined the role of drd in eggshell synthesis. We show that eggs laid by drd mutant females are fertilized but arrest early in embryogenesis, and that the innermost layer of the eggshell, the vitelline membrane, is abnormally permeable to dye in these eggs. In addition, the major vitelline membrane proteins fail to become crosslinked by nonreducible bonds, a process that normally occurs during egg activation following ovulation, as evidenced by their solubility and detection by Western blot in laid eggs. In contrast, the Cp36 protein, which is found in the outer chorion layers of the eggshell, becomes crosslinked normally. To link the drd expression pattern with these phenotypes, we show that drd is expressed in the ovarian follicle cells beginning in mid-oogenesis, and, importantly, that all drd mutant eggshell phenotypes could be recapitulated by selective knockdown of drd expression in the follicle cells. To determine whether drd expression was required for the crosslinking itself, we performed in vitro activation and crosslinking experiments. The vitelline membranes of control egg chambers could become crosslinked either by incubation in hyperosmotic medium, which activates the egg chambers, or by exogenous peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, neither treatment resulted in the crosslinking of the vitelline membrane in drd mutant egg chambers. These results indicate that drd expression in the follicle cells is necessary for vitelline membrane proteins to serve as substrates for peroxidase-mediated cross-linking at the end of oogenesis.
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5
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Jackson A, Lin SJ, Jones EA, Chandler KE, Orr D, Moss C, Haider Z, Ryan G, Holden S, Harrison M, Burrows N, Jones WD, Loveless M, Petree C, Stewart H, Low K, Donnelly D, Lovell S, Drosou K, Varshney GK, Banka S. Clinical, genetic, epidemiologic, evolutionary, and functional delineation of TSPEAR-related autosomal recessive ectodermal dysplasia 14. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100186. [PMID: 37009414 PMCID: PMC10064225 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
TSPEAR variants cause autosomal recessive ectodermal dysplasia (ARED) 14. The function of TSPEAR is unknown. The clinical features, the mutation spectrum, and the underlying mechanisms of ARED14 are poorly understood. Combining data from new and previously published individuals established that ARED14 is primarily characterized by dental anomalies such as conical tooth cusps and hypodontia, like those seen in individuals with WNT10A-related odontoonychodermal dysplasia. AlphaFold-predicted structure-based analysis showed that most of the pathogenic TSPEAR missense variants likely destabilize the β-propeller of the protein. Analysis of 100000 Genomes Project (100KGP) data revealed multiple founder TSPEAR variants across different populations. Mutational and recombination clock analyses demonstrated that non-Finnish European founder variants likely originated around the end of the last ice age, a period of major climatic transition. Analysis of gnomAD data showed that the non-Finnish European population TSPEAR gene-carrier rate is ∼1/140, making it one of the commonest AREDs. Phylogenetic and AlphaFold structural analyses showed that TSPEAR is an ortholog of drosophila Closca, an extracellular matrix-dependent signaling regulator. We, therefore, hypothesized that TSPEAR could have a role in enamel knot, a structure that coordinates patterning of developing tooth cusps. Analysis of mouse single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data revealed highly restricted expression of Tspear in clusters representing enamel knots. A tspeara -/-;tspearb -/- double-knockout zebrafish model recapitulated the clinical features of ARED14 and fin regeneration abnormalities of wnt10a knockout fish, thus suggesting interaction between tspear and wnt10a. In summary, we provide insights into the role of TSPEAR in ectodermal development and the evolutionary history, epidemiology, mechanisms, and consequences of its loss of function variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Jackson
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sheng-Jia Lin
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Jones
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kate E. Chandler
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - David Orr
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Celia Moss
- Department of Dermatology, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zahra Haider
- Department of Dermatology, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gavin Ryan
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Simon Holden
- Clinical Genetics, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mike Harrison
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Guy’s and St Thomas' Dental Institute, London, UK
| | - Nigel Burrows
- Department of Dermatology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wendy D. Jones
- North East Thames Regional Genetics Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary Loveless
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Cassidy Petree
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Helen Stewart
- Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Karen Low
- Department of Clinical Genetics, St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Deirdre Donnelly
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Belfast HSC Trust, Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Simon Lovell
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Konstantina Drosou
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 99 Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Gaurav K. Varshney
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Siddharth Banka
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
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6
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Banisch TU, Slaidina M, Gupta S, Ho M, Gilboa L, Lehmann R. A transitory signaling center controls timing of primordial germ cell differentiation. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1742-1755.e4. [PMID: 34081907 PMCID: PMC8330407 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Organogenesis requires exquisite spatiotemporal coordination of cell morphogenesis, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of multiple cell types. For gonads, this involves complex interactions between somatic and germline tissues. During Drosophila ovary morphogenesis, primordial germ cells (PGCs) either are sequestered in stem cell niches and are maintained in an undifferentiated germline stem cell state or transition directly toward differentiation. Here, we identify a mechanism that links hormonal triggers of somatic tissue morphogenesis with PGC differentiation. An early ecdysone pulse initiates somatic swarm cell (SwC) migration, positioning these cells close to PGCs. A second hormone peak activates Torso-like signal in SwCs, which stimulates the Torso receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathway in PGCs promoting their differentiation by de-repression of the differentiation gene, bag of marbles. Thus, systemic temporal cues generate a transitory signaling center that coordinates ovarian morphogenesis with stem cell self-renewal and differentiation programs, highlighting a more general role for such centers in reproductive and developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten U Banisch
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Maija Slaidina
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Selena Gupta
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Megan Ho
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lilach Gilboa
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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7
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Taylor SE, Tuffery J, Bakopoulos D, Lequeux S, Warr CG, Johnson TK, Dearden PK. The torso-like gene functions to maintain the structure of the vitelline membrane in Nasonia vitripennis, implying its co-option into Drosophila axis formation. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.046284. [PMID: 31488408 PMCID: PMC6777369 DOI: 10.1242/bio.046284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Axis specification is a fundamental developmental process. Despite this, the mechanisms by which it is controlled across insect taxa are strikingly different. An excellent example of this is terminal patterning, which in Diptera such as Drosophila melanogaster occurs via the localized activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase Torso. In Hymenoptera, however, the same process appears to be achieved via localized mRNA. How these mechanisms evolved and what they evolved from remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that torso-like, known for its role in Drosophila terminal patterning, is instead required for the integrity of the vitelline membrane in the hymenopteran wasp Nasonia vitripennis. We find that other genes known to be involved in Drosophila terminal patterning, such as torso and Ptth, also do not function in Nasonia embryonic development. These findings extended to orthologues of Drosophila vitelline membrane proteins known to play a role in localizing Torso-like in Drosophila; in Nasonia these are instead required for dorso–ventral patterning, gastrulation and potentially terminal patterning. Our data underscore the importance of the vitelline membrane in insect development, and implies phenotypes caused by knockdown of torso-like must be interpreted in light of its function in the vitelline membrane. In addition, our data imply that the signalling components of the Drosophila terminal patterning systems were co-opted from roles in regulating moulting, and co-option into terminal patterning involved the evolution of a novel interaction with the vitelline membrane protein Torso-like. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: In the parasitic wasp Nasonia, Tsl, a key component of the process that defines the termini of the embryo of Drosophila, has a function in the structure of the vitelline membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Taylor
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Jack Tuffery
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Daniel Bakopoulos
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Sharon Lequeux
- Otago Micro- and Nano- scale Imaging, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Coral G Warr
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Travis K Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, Aotearoa-New Zealand
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Mineo A, Furriols M, Casanova J. The trigger (and the restriction) of Torso RTK activation. Open Biol 2018; 8:180180. [PMID: 30977718 PMCID: PMC6303783 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Torso pathway is an ideal model of receptor tyrosine kinase systems, in particular when addressing questions such as how receptor activity is turned on and, equally important, how it is restricted, how different outcomes can be generated from a single signal, and the extent to which gene regulation by signalling pathways relies on the relief of transcriptional repression. In this regard, we considered it pertinent to single out the fundamental notions learned from the Torso pathway beyond the specificities of this system (Furriols and Casanova 2003 EMBO J. 22, 1947-1952. ( doi:10.1093/emboj/cdg224 )). Since then, the Torso system has gained relevance and its implications beyond its original involvement in morphogenesis and into many disciplines such as oncogenesis, hormone control and neurobiology are now acknowledged. Thus, we believe that it is timely to highlight additional notions supported by new findings and to draw attention to future prospects. Given the late development of research in the field, we wish to devote this review to the events leading to the activation of the Torso receptor, the main focus of our most recent work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mineo
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marc Furriols
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanova
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), C/Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Pei J, Kinch LN, Grishin NV. FlyXCDB—A Resource for Drosophila Cell Surface and Secreted Proteins and Their Extracellular Domains. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:3353-3411. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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10
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Holes in the Plasma Membrane Mimic Torso-Like Perforin in Torso Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Activation in the Drosophila Embryo. Genetics 2018; 210:257-262. [PMID: 30049783 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways play central roles in development, and, when abnormally activated, they can lead to pathological conditions, including oncogenesis. Thus, RTK activation, mediated by ligand binding, is under tight control, a critical step being the conversion of an inactive precursor into the active form of the ligand. A variety of mechanisms have been shown to be involved in this conversion; however, little attention has been paid to how mechanical phenomena may impinge on this process. Here we address this issue by studying Torso, an RTK activated at both poles of the Drosophila embryo at the blastoderm stage. Torso activation is induced by a cleaved form of Trunk, a growth factor-like protein, but it also requires the accumulation of the Torso-like (Tsl) protein at both ends of the blastoderm. Tsl is the only known protein in Drosophila bearing a membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domain-a motif present in proteins involved in pore formation at cell membranes. However, while different hypotheses have been put forward to account for the function of Tsl in Torso receptor activation, little is known about its molecular role and whether it indeed contributes to membrane pore formation. Here, we show that mechanically induced holes in the Drosophila embryo can substitute for Tsl function. These results suggest that Tsl is required for an exchange between the interior of the Drosophila embryo and its surrounding milieu and that mechanically induced cell injuries may contribute to abnormal RTK activation.
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11
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Genome-Wide Screen for New Components of the Drosophila melanogaster Torso Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pathway. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:761-769. [PMID: 29363515 PMCID: PMC5844297 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Patterning of the Drosophila embryonic termini by the Torso (Tor) receptor pathway has long served as a valuable paradigm for understanding how receptor tyrosine kinase signaling is controlled. However, the mechanisms that underpin the control of Tor signaling remain to be fully understood. In particular, it is unclear how the Perforin-like protein Torso-like (Tsl) localizes Tor activity to the embryonic termini. To shed light on this, together with other aspects of Tor pathway function, we conducted a genome-wide screen to identify new pathway components that operate downstream of Tsl. Using a set of molecularly defined chromosomal deficiencies, we screened for suppressors of ligand-dependent Tor signaling induced by unrestricted Tsl expression. This approach yielded 59 genomic suppressor regions, 11 of which we mapped to the causative gene, and a further 29 that were mapped to <15 genes. Of the identified genes, six represent previously unknown regulators of embryonic Tor signaling. These include twins (tws), which encodes an integral subunit of the protein phosphatase 2A complex, and α-tubulin at 84B (αTub84B), a major constituent of the microtubule network, suggesting that these may play an important part in terminal patterning. Together, these data comprise a valuable resource for the discovery of new Tor pathway components. Many of these may also be required for other roles of Tor in development, such as in the larval prothoracic gland where Tor signaling controls the initiation of metamorphosis.
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12
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Johnson TK, Henstridge MA, Warr CG. MACPF/CDC proteins in development: Insights from Drosophila torso-like. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:163-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Transfer of Dorsoventral and Terminal Information from the Ovary to the Embryo by a Common Group of Eggshell Proteins in Drosophila. Genetics 2017; 205:1529-1536. [PMID: 28179368 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.197574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila eggshell is an extracellular matrix that confers protection to the egg and also plays a role in transferring positional information from the ovary to pattern the embryo. Among the constituents of the Drosophila eggshell, Nasrat, Polehole, and Closca form a group of proteins related by sequence, secreted by the oocyte, and mutually required for their incorporation into the eggshell. Besides their role in eggshell integrity, Nasrat, Polehole, and Closca are also required for embryonic terminal patterning by anchoring or stabilizing Torso-like at the eggshell. Here, we show that they are also required for dorsoventral patterning, thereby unveiling that the dorsoventral and terminal systems, hitherto considered independent, share a common extracellular step. Furthermore, we show that Nasrat, Polehole, and Closca are required for proper Nudel activity, a protease acting both in embryonic dorsoventral patterning and eggshell integrity, thus providing a means to account for the role of Nasrat, Polehole, and Closca. We propose that a Nasrat/Polehole/Closca complex acts as a multifunctional hub to anchor various proteins synthesized at oogenesis, ensuring their spatial and temporal restricted function.
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Schmidt-Ott U, Kwan CW. Morphogenetic functions of extraembryonic membranes in insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 13:86-92. [PMID: 27436557 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenetic functions of the amnioserosa, the serosa, the amnion, and the yolk sac are reviewed on the basis of recent studies in flies (Drosophila, Megaselia), beetles (Tribolium), and hemipteran bugs (Oncopeltus). Three hypotheses are presented. First, it is suggested that the amnioserosa of Drosophila and the dorsal amnion of other fly species function in a similar manner. Second, it is proposed that in many species with an amniotic cavity, the amnion determines the site of serosa rupture, which, through interactions between the serosa and the amnion, enables the embryo to break free from the amniotic cavity and to close its backside. Finally, it is concluded that the yolk sac is likely an important player in insect morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Schmidt-Ott
- University of Chicago, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Cummings Life Science Center, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Chun Wai Kwan
- University of Chicago, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Cummings Life Science Center, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Zhu TT, Meng QW, Guo WC, Li GQ. RNA interference suppression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Torso gene impaired pupation and adult emergence in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 83:53-64. [PMID: 26518287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster prothoracic gland (PG) cells, Torso mediates prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-triggered mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (consisting of four core components Ras, Raf, MEK and ERK) to stimulate ecdysteroidogenesis. In this study, LdTorso, LdRas, LdRaf and LdERK were cloned in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The four genes were highly or moderately expressed in the larval prothoracic glands. At the first- to third-instar stages, their expression levels were higher just before and right after the molt, and were lower in the mid instars. At the fourth-instar stage, their transcript levels were higher before prepupal stage. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LdTorso delayed larval development, increased pupal weight, and impaired pupation and adult emergence. Moreover, knockdown of LdTorso decreased the mRNA levels of LdRas, LdRaf and LdERK, repressed the transcription of two ecdysteroidogenesis genes (LdPHM and LdDIB), lowered 20E titer, and downregulated the expression of several 20E-response genes (LdEcR, LdUSP, LdHR3 and LdFTZ-F1). Furthermore, silencing of LdTorso induced the expression of a JH biosynthesis gene LdJHAMT, increased JH titer, and activated the transcription of a JH early-inducible gene LdKr-h1. Thus, our results suggest that Torso transduces PTTH-triggered MAPK signal to regulate ecdysteroidogenesis in the PGs in a non-drosophiline insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-Tao Zhu
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Qing-Wei Meng
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Wen-Chao Guo
- Department of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China.
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Furriols M, Casanova J. Germline and somatic vitelline proteins colocalize in aggregates in the follicular epithelium of Drosophila ovaries. Fly (Austin) 2015; 8:113-9. [PMID: 25483249 DOI: 10.4161/fly.29133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasrat and Polehole, two Drosophila proteins related functionally and by sequence, are secreted from the oocyte and incorporated into the vitelline membrane, where they play a role in the integrity of the same and in the activation of embryonic Torso RTK. In addition, they also accumulate in a punctate pattern in the follicular epithelium. Here we show that their accumulation at the follicle cells depends on their gene expression in the germline, indicating that these proteins move from the oocyte to the follicle cells in a process that does not require endocytosis. Finally we used cell markers to examine the distribution of these proteins at the follicle cells and show they accumulated in aggregates with vitelline membrane proteins in close association with the plasmatic membrane. We propose that these aggregates represent spatially restricted sinks for vitelline membrane proteins that fail to be incorporated into vitelline bodies and later on into the vitelline membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Furriols
- a Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC); Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Mineo A, Furriols M, Casanova J. Accumulation of the Drosophila Torso-like protein at the blastoderm plasma membrane suggests that it translocates from the eggshell. Development 2015; 142:1299-304. [PMID: 25758463 DOI: 10.1242/dev.117630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The eggshell serves as a depository for proteins that play an important role in early embryonic development. In particular, the Drosophila eggshell is responsible for transferring asymmetries from the egg chamber to specify the regions at both ends of the embryo through the uneven activation of the Torso (Tor) receptor in its membrane. This process relies on the restricted expression of the gene torso-like (tsl) in subpopulations of follicle cells during oogenesis and its protein accumulation at both poles of the eggshell, but it is not known how this signal is transmitted to the embryo. Here, we show that Tsl accumulates at the embryonic plasma membrane, even in the absence of the Tor receptor. However, during oogenesis, we detected Tsl accumulation only at the eggshell. These results suggest that there is a two-step mechanism to transfer the asymmetric positional cues from the egg chamber into the early embryo: initial anchoring of Tsl at the eggshell as it is secreted, followed by its later translocation to the egg plasma membrane, where it enables Tor receptor activation. Translocation of anchored determinants from the eggshell might then regulate the spatial and temporal control of early embryonic developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mineo
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marc Furriols
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanova
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Torso-like functions independently of Torso to regulate Drosophila growth and developmental timing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:14688-92. [PMID: 23959885 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1309780110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Drosophila receptor tyrosine kinase Torso (Tor) only at the termini of the embryo is achieved by the localized expression of the maternal gene Torso-like (Tsl). Tor has a second function in the prothoracic gland as the receptor for prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) that initiates metamorphosis. Consistent with the function of Tor in this tissue, Tsl also localizes to the prothoracic gland and influences developmental timing. Despite these commonalities, in our studies of Tsl we unexpectedly found that tsl and tor have opposing effects on body size; tsl null mutants are smaller than normal, rather than larger as would be expected if the PTTH/Tor pathway was disrupted. We further found that whereas both genes regulate developmental timing, tsl does so independently of tor. Although tsl null mutants exhibit a similar length delay in time to pupariation to tor mutants, in tsl:tor double mutants this delay is strikingly enhanced. Thus, loss of tsl is additive rather than epistatic to loss of tor. We also find that phenotypes generated by ectopic PTTH expression are independent of tsl. Finally, we show that a modified form of tsl that can rescue developmental timing cannot rescue terminal patterning, indicating that Tsl can function via distinct mechanisms in different contexts. We conclude that Tsl is not just a specialized cue for Torso signaling but also acts independently of PTTH/Tor in the control of body size and the timing of developmental progression. These data highlight surprisingly diverse developmental functions for this sole Drosophila member of the perforin-like superfamily.
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Carter JM, Baker SC, Pink R, Carter DRF, Collins A, Tomlin J, Gibbs M, Breuker CJ. Unscrambling butterfly oogenesis. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:283. [PMID: 23622113 PMCID: PMC3654919 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Butterflies are popular model organisms to study physiological mechanisms
underlying variability in oogenesis and egg provisioning in response to
environmental conditions. Nothing is known, however, about; the
developmental mechanisms governing butterfly oogenesis, how polarity in the
oocyte is established, or which particular maternal effect genes regulate
early embryogenesis. To gain insights into these developmental mechanisms
and to identify the conserved and divergent aspects of butterfly oogenesis,
we analysed a de novo ovarian transcriptome of the Speckled Wood
butterfly Pararge aegeria (L.), and compared the results with known
model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and Bombyx
mori. Results A total of 17306 contigs were annotated, with 30% possibly novel or highly
divergent sequences observed. Pararge aegeria females expressed
74.5% of the genes that are known to be essential for D.
melanogaster oogenesis. We discuss the genes involved in all
aspects of oogenesis, including vitellogenesis and choriogenesis, plus those
implicated in hormonal control of oogenesis and transgenerational hormonal
effects in great detail. Compared to other insects, a number of significant
differences were observed in; the genes involved in stem cell maintenance
and differentiation in the germarium, establishment of oocyte polarity, and
in several aspects of maternal regulation of zygotic development. Conclusions This study provides valuable resources to investigate a number of divergent
aspects of butterfly oogenesis requiring further research. In order to fully
unscramble butterfly oogenesis, we also now also have the resources to
investigate expression patterns of oogenesis genes under a range of
environmental conditions, and to establish their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Carter
- Evolutionary Developmental Biology Research Group, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
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Conserved and divergent elements in Torso RTK activation in Drosophila development. Sci Rep 2012; 2:762. [PMID: 23094137 PMCID: PMC3478583 DOI: 10.1038/srep00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The repeated use of signalling pathways is a common phenomenon but little is known about how they become co-opted in different contexts. Here we examined this issue by analysing the activation of Drosophila Torso receptor in embryogenesis and in pupariation. While its putative ligand differs in each case, we show that Torso-like, but not other proteins required for Torso activation in embryogenesis, is also required for Torso activation in pupariation. In addition, we demonstrate that distinct enhancers control torso-like expression in both scenarios. We conclude that repeated Torso activation is linked to a duplication and differential expression of a ligand-encoding gene, the acquisition of distinct enhancers in the torso-like promoter and the recruitment of proteins independently required for embryogenesis. A combination of these mechanisms is likely to allow the repeated activation of a single receptor in different contexts.
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21
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Drosophila embryo syncytial blastoderm cellular architecture and morphogen gradient dynamics: Is there a correlation? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s11515-011-1160-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Johnston WL, Dennis JW. The eggshell in the C. elegans oocyte-to-embryo transition. Genesis 2011; 50:333-49. [PMID: 22083685 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In egg-laying animals, embryonic development takes place within the highly specialized environment provided by the eggshell and its underlying extracellular matrix. Far from being simply a passive physical support, the eggshell is a key player in many early developmental events. Herein, we review current understanding of eggshell structure, biosynthesis, and function in zygotic development of the nematode, C. elegans. Beginning at sperm contact or entry, eggshell layers are produced sequentially. The earlier outer layers are required for secretion or organization of inner layers, and layers differ in composition and function. Developmental events that depend on the eggshell include polyspermy barrier generation, high fidelity meiotic chromosome segregation, osmotic barrier synthesis, polar body extrusion, anterior-posterior polarization, and organization of membrane and cortical proteins. The C. elegans eggshell is proving to be an excellent, tractable system to study the molecular cues of the extracellular matrix that instruct cell polarity and early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy L Johnston
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5.
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