1
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Healey HM, Penn HB, Small CM, Bassham S, Goyal V, Woods MA, Cresko WA. Single Cell RNA Sequencing Provides Clues for the Developmental Genetic Basis of Syngnathidae's Evolutionary Adaptations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588518. [PMID: 38645265 PMCID: PMC11030337 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons are fishes from the family Syngnathidae that have evolved extraordinary traits including male pregnancy, elongated snouts, loss of teeth, and dermal bony armor. The developmental genetic and cellular changes that led to the evolution of these traits are largely unknown. Recent syngnathid genomes revealed suggestive gene content differences and provide the opportunity for detailed genetic analyses. We created a single cell RNA sequencing atlas of Gulf pipefish embryos to understand the developmental basis of four traits: derived head shape, toothlessness, dermal armor, and male pregnancy. We completed marker gene analyses, built genetic networks, and examined spatial expression of select genes. We identified osteochondrogenic mesenchymal cells in the elongating face that express regulatory genes bmp4, sfrp1a, and prdm16. We found no evidence for tooth primordia cells, and we observed re-deployment of osteoblast genetic networks in developing dermal armor. Finally, we found that epidermal cells expressed nutrient processing and environmental sensing genes, potentially relevant for the brooding environment. The examined pipefish evolutionary innovations are composed of recognizable cell types, suggesting derived features originate from changes within existing gene networks. Future work addressing syngnathid gene networks across multiple stages and species is essential for understanding how their novelties evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope M Healey
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
| | - Hayden B Penn
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
| | - Clayton M Small
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
- School of Computer and Data Science, University of Oregon
| | - Susan Bassham
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
| | - Vithika Goyal
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
| | - Micah A Woods
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
| | - William A Cresko
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon
- Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon
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2
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Hou Y, Cai XW, Liang ZF, Duan DD, Diao XP, Zhang JL. An integrative investigation of developmental toxicities induced by triphenyltin in a larval coral reef fish, Amphiprion ocellaris. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161487. [PMID: 36638977 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyltin (TPT) is widely distributed on coastlines, which makes coral reef fish a potential target of TPT pollution. However, the negative effects of TPT on coral reef fish remain poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, the larval coral reef fish Amphiprion ocellaris was used to investigate the developmental toxicities of TPT at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 1, 10 and 100 ng/L). After TPT exposure for 14 d, the cumulative mortality increased, and growth was suppressed. In addition, TPT exposure inhibited the development of melanophores and xanthophores and delayed white strip formation, which might be responsible for the disruption of the genes (erbb3b, mitfa, kit, xdh, tyr, oca2, itk and trim33) related to pigmentation. TPT exposure also attenuated ossification of head skeletal elements and the vertebral column and inhibited the expression of genes (bmp2, bmp4 and sp7) related to skeletal development. The observed developmental toxicities on growth, pigmentation and skeleton development might be associated with the disruption of thyroid hormones and the genes related to thyroid hormone regulation (tshβ, thrα, thrβ, tg, tpo, dio2, and ttr). In addition, TPT exposure interfered with locomotor and shoaling behavior, and the related genes dbh, avp and avpr1aa. Taken together, our results suggest that TPT pollution might threaten the development of one of the most iconic coral reef fish, which might produce disastrous consequences on the health of coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xing-Wei Cai
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Liang
- Lingshui Wildlife Conservation Association, Lingshui, Hainan, China
| | - Dan-Dan Duan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Ji-Liang Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Lingshui Wildlife Conservation Association, Lingshui, Hainan, China.
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3
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Chen Q, Wei T, Yang B, Li S, Ge L, Zhou A, Xie S. The impact of deleting the mitfa gene in zebrafish on the intestinal microbiota community. Gene 2022; 846:146870. [PMID: 36075325 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To explore the relationship between the mitfa gene and intestinal microbiota, the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed to compare the intestinal microbiota composition of the mitfa knockout zebrafish line (CKO group) and the wild-type zebrafish (WT group) in this study. The results showed that the Fusobacteria and Firmicutes were significantly decreased and the Dependentiae and Patescibacteria were significantly increased in the CKO group at the phylum level. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Citrobacter, Gordonia, Mesorhizobium, Legionella, and Bradyrhizobium were extremely higher in the CKO group, whereas the other four genera Nocardia, Pannonibacter, Shinella, and Cetobacterium were significantly declined in the CKO group at the genus level. Due to these changed intestinal microbiota appear to be related to lipid metabolism and immunity, eight lipid metabolism-related genes and nine inflammation-related genes were detected in the intestinal. The results showed that the expression levels of these genes were significant differences between the CKO and WT group. These results indicated that the deletion of mitfa can affect the expression levels of immune and metabolism-related genes, and causing changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshi Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Tianli Wei
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Bing Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Siying Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Liangjun Ge
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Aiguo Zhou
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Shaolin Xie
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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4
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Travnickova J, Muise S, Wojciechowska S, Brombin A, Zeng Z, Young AIJ, Wyatt C, Patton EE. Fate mapping melanoma persister cells through regression and into recurrent disease in adult zebrafish. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276219. [PMID: 35929478 PMCID: PMC9509888 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma heterogeneity and plasticity underlie therapy resistance. Some tumour cells possess innate resistance, while others reprogramme during drug exposure and survive to form persister cells, a source of potential cancer cells for recurrent disease. Tracing individual melanoma cell populations through tumour regression and into recurrent disease remains largely unexplored, in part, because complex animal models are required for live imaging of cell populations over time. Here, we applied tamoxifen-inducible creERt2/loxP lineage tracing to a zebrafish model of MITF-dependent melanoma regression and recurrence to image and trace cell populations in vivo through disease stages. Using this strategy, we show that melanoma persister cells at the minimal residual disease site originate from the primary tumour. Next, we fate mapped rare MITF-independent persister cells and demonstrate that these cells directly contribute to progressive disease. Multiplex immunohistochemistry confirmed that MITF-independent persister cells give rise to Mitfa+ cells in recurrent disease. Taken together, our work reveals a direct contribution of persister cell populations to recurrent disease, and provides a resource for lineage-tracing methodology in adult zebrafish cancer models. Summary: We fate map melanoma cells from the primary tumour into a persister cell state and show that persister cells directly contribute to recurrent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Travnickova
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah Muise
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sonia Wojciechowska
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandro Brombin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zhiqiang Zeng
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adelaide I J Young
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cameron Wyatt
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK.,Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
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5
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Phelps GB, Amsterdam A, Hagen HR, García NZ, Lees JA. MITF
deficiency and oncogenic
GNAQ
each promote proliferation programs in zebrafish melanocyte lineage cells. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:539-547. [PMID: 35869673 PMCID: PMC9541221 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignancy of the adult eye but lacks any FDA‐approved therapy for the deadly metastatic disease. Thus, there is a great need to dissect the driving mechanisms for UM and develop strategies to evaluate potential therapeutics. Using an autochthonous zebrafish model, we previously identified MITF, the master melanocyte transcription factor, as a tumor suppressor in GNAQQ209L‐driven UM. Here, we show that zebrafish mitfa‐deficient GNAQQ209L‐driven tumors significantly up‐regulate neural crest markers, and that higher expression of a melanoma‐associated neural crest signature correlates with poor UM patient survival. We further determined how the mitfa‐null state, as well as expression of GNAQQ209L, YAPS127A;S381A, or BRAFV600E oncogenes, impacts melanocyte lineage cells before they acquire the transformed state. Specifically, examination 5 days post‐fertilization showed that mitfa‐deficiency is sufficient to up‐regulate pigment progenitor and neural crest markers, while GNAQQ209L expression promotes a proliferative phenotype that is further enhanced by YAPS127A;S381A co‐expression. Finally, we show that this oncogene‐induced proliferative phenotype can be used to screen chemical inhibitors for their efficacy against the UM pathway. Overall, this study establishes that a neural crest signature correlates with poor UM survival, and describes an in vivo assay for preclinical trials of potential UM therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace B. Phelps
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Adam Amsterdam
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Hannah R. Hagen
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Nicole Zambrana García
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Jacqueline A. Lees
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
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6
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Assessing the Morphological and Behavioral Toxicity of Catechol Using Larval Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147985. [PMID: 35887331 PMCID: PMC9316700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Catechol is a ubiquitous chemical used in the manufacturing of fragrances, pharmaceuticals and flavorants. Environmental exposure occurs in a variety of ways through industrial processes, during pyrolysis and in effluent, yet despite its prevalence, there is limited information regarding its toxicity. While the genotoxicity and gastric carcinogenicity of catechol have been described in depth, toxicological studies have potentially overlooked a number of other effects relevant to humans. Here, we have made use of a general and behavioral larval zebrafish toxicity assay to describe previously unknown catechol-based toxicological phenomena. Behavioral testing revealed catechol-induced hypoactivity at concentrations an order of magnitude lower than observable endpoints. Catechol exposure also resulted in punctate melanocytes with concomitant decreases in the expression of pigment production and regulation markers mitfa, mc1r and tyr. Because catechol is converted into a number of toxic metabolites by tyrosinase, an enzyme found almost exclusively in melanocytes, an evaluation of the effects of catechol on these cells is critical to evaluating the safety of this chemical. This work provides insights into the toxic nature of catechol and highlights the benefits of the zebrafish larval testing platform in being able to dissect multiple aspects of toxicity with one model.
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7
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SpG and SpRY variants expand the CRISPR toolbox for genome editing in zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3421. [PMID: 35701400 PMCID: PMC9198057 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31034-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise genetic modifications in model organisms are essential for biomedical research. The recent development of PAM-less base editors makes it possible to assess the functional impact and pathogenicity of nucleotide mutations in animals. Here we first optimize SpG and SpRY systems in zebrafish by purifying protein combined with synthetically modified gRNA. SpG shows high editing efficiency at NGN PAM sites, whereas SpRY efficiently edit PAM-less sites in the zebrafish genome. Then, we generate the SpRY-mediated cytosine base editor SpRY-CBE4max and SpRY-mediated adenine base editor zSpRY-ABE8e. Both target relaxed PAM with up to 96% editing efficiency and high product purity. With these tools, some previously inaccessible disease-relevant genetic variants are generated in zebrafish, supporting the utility of high-resolution targeting across genome-editing applications. Our study significantly improves CRISPR-Cas targeting in the genomic landscape of zebrafish, promoting the application of this model organism in revealing gene function, physiological mechanisms, and disease pathogenesis.
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8
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Brunsdon H, Brombin A, Peterson S, Postlethwait JH, Patton EE. Aldh2 is a lineage-specific metabolic gatekeeper in melanocyte stem cells. Development 2022; 149:275182. [PMID: 35485397 PMCID: PMC9188749 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) in zebrafish serve as an on-demand source of melanocytes during growth and regeneration, but metabolic programs associated with their activation and regenerative processes are not well known. Here, using live imaging coupled with scRNA-sequencing, we discovered that, during regeneration, quiescent McSCs activate a dormant embryonic neural crest transcriptional program followed by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh) 2 metabolic switch to generate progeny. Unexpectedly, although ALDH2 is well known for its aldehyde-clearing mechanisms, we find that, in regenerating McSCs, Aldh2 activity is required to generate formate – the one-carbon (1C) building block for nucleotide biosynthesis – through formaldehyde metabolism. Consequently, we find that disrupting the 1C cycle with low doses of methotrexate causes melanocyte regeneration defects. In the absence of Aldh2, we find that purines are the metabolic end product sufficient for activated McSCs to generate progeny. Together, our work reveals McSCs undergo a two-step cell state transition during regeneration, and that the reaction products of Aldh2 enzymes have tissue-specific stem cell functions that meet metabolic demands in regeneration. Summary: In zebrafish melanocyte regeneration, quiescent McSCs respond by re-expressing a neural crest identity, followed by an Aldh2-dependent metabolic switch to generate progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Brunsdon
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alessandro Brombin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Samuel Peterson
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | | | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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9
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Zebrafish Syndromic Albinism Models as Tools for Understanding and Treating Pigment Cell Disease in Humans. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071752. [PMID: 35406524 PMCID: PMC8997128 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging model for studying many diseases, including disorders originating in black pigment cells, melanocytes. In this review of the melanocyte literature, we discuss the current knowledge of melanocyte biology relevant to understanding different forms of albinism and the potential of the zebrafish model system for finding novel mechanisms and treatments. Abstract Melanin is the pigment that protects DNA from ultraviolet (UV) damage by absorbing excess energy. Melanin is produced in a process called melanogenesis. When melanogenesis is altered, diseases such as albinism result. Albinism can result in an increased skin cancer risk. Conversely, black pigment cell (melanocyte) development pathways can be misregulated, causing excessive melanocyte growth that leads to melanoma (cancer of melanocytes). Zebrafish is an emerging model organism used to study pigment disorders due to their high fecundity, visible melanin development in melanophores (melanocytes in mammals) from 24 h post-fertilization, and conserved melanogenesis pathways. Here, we reviewed the conserved developmental pathways in zebrafish melanophores and mammalian melanocytes. Additionally, we summarized the progress made in understanding pigment cell disease and evidence supporting the strong potential for using zebrafish to find novel treatment options for albinism.
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10
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Brombin A, Simpson DJ, Travnickova J, Brunsdon H, Zeng Z, Lu Y, Young AIJ, Chandra T, Patton EE. Tfap2b specifies an embryonic melanocyte stem cell that retains adult multifate potential. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110234. [PMID: 35021087 PMCID: PMC8764619 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells, are replenished from multiple stem cell niches in adult tissue. Although pigmentation traits are known risk factors for melanoma, we know little about melanocyte stem cell (McSC) populations other than hair follicle McSCs and lack key lineage markers with which to identify McSCs and study their function. Here we find that Tfap2b and a select set of target genes specify an McSC population at the dorsal root ganglia in zebrafish. Functionally, Tfap2b is required for only a few late-stage embryonic melanocytes, and is essential for McSC-dependent melanocyte regeneration. Fate mapping data reveal that tfap2b+ McSCs have multifate potential, and are the cells of origin for large patches of adult melanocytes, two other pigment cell types (iridophores and xanthophores), and nerve-associated cells. Hence, Tfap2b confers McSC identity in early development, distinguishing McSCs from other neural crest and pigment cell lineages, and retains multifate potential in the adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Brombin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Daniel J Simpson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Jana Travnickova
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Hannah Brunsdon
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Zhiqiang Zeng
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Yuting Lu
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Adelaide I J Young
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Tamir Chandra
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
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11
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Wang B, Chen T, Wang A, Fang J, Wang J, Yao W, Wu Y. Anisodamine affects the pigmentation, mineral density, craniofacial area, and eye development in zebrafish embryos. J Appl Toxicol 2021; 42:1067-1077. [PMID: 34967033 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Anisodamine is one of the major components of the tropine alkaloid family and is widely used in the treatment of pain, motion sickness, pupil dilatation, and detoxification of organophosphorus poisoning. As a muscarinic receptor antagonist, the low toxicity and moderate drug effect of anisodamine often result in high doses for clinical use, making it important to fully investigate its toxicity. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1.3-, 2.6-, and 5.2-mM anisodamine for 7 days to study the toxic effects of drug exposure on pigmentation, mineral density, craniofacial area, and eye development. The results showed that exposure to anisodamine at 1.3 mM resulted in cranial malformations and abnormal pigmentation in zebrafish embryos; 2.6- and 5.2-mM anisodamine resulted in significant eye development defects and reduced bone density in zebrafish embryos. The associated toxicities were correlated with functional development of neural crest cells through gene expression (col1a2, ddb1, dicer1, mab21l1, mab21l2, sox10, tyrp1b, and mitfa) in the dose of 5.2-mM exposed group. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence of the developmental toxicity of high doses of anisodamine in aqueous solutions to organisms and provides a warning for the safe use of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Anli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,National Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and Equipment, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro-Food Processing; Fuli Institute of Food Science, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiakai Fang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Thermo Fisher Scientific China Co Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiye Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixuan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Prevention and Control Technology of Zhejiang Province, The Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Police College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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12
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Dawes JHP, Kelsh RN. Cell Fate Decisions in the Neural Crest, from Pigment Cell to Neural Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13531. [PMID: 34948326 PMCID: PMC8706606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest shows an astonishing multipotency, generating multiple neural derivatives, but also pigment cells, skeletogenic and other cell types. The question of how this process is controlled has been the subject of an ongoing debate for more than 35 years. Based upon new observations of zebrafish pigment cell development, we have recently proposed a novel, dynamic model that we believe goes some way to resolving the controversy. Here, we will firstly summarize the traditional models and the conflicts between them, before outlining our novel model. We will also examine our recent dynamic modelling studies, looking at how these reveal behaviors compatible with the biology proposed. We will then outline some of the implications of our model, looking at how it might modify our views of the processes of fate specification, differentiation, and commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H. P. Dawes
- Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK;
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Robert N. Kelsh
- Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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13
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McCluskey BM, Liang Y, Lewis VM, Patterson LB, Parichy DM. Pigment pattern morphospace of Danio fishes: evolutionary diversification and mutational effects. Biol Open 2021; 10:271991. [PMID: 34463758 PMCID: PMC8487636 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying variation in adult form remain largely unknown. Adult pigment patterns of fishes in the genus Danio, which includes zebrafish, Danio rerio, consist of horizontal stripes, vertical bars, spots and uniform patterns, and provide an outstanding opportunity to identify causes of species level variation in a neural crest derived trait. Understanding pigment pattern variation requires quantitative approaches to assess phenotypes, yet such methods have been mostly lacking for pigment patterns. We introduce metrics derived from information theory that describe patterns and pattern variation in Danio fishes. We find that these metrics used singly and in multivariate combinations are suitable for distinguishing general pattern types, and can reveal even subtle phenotypic differences attributable to mutations. Our study provides new tools for analyzing pigment pattern in Danio and potentially other groups, and sets the stage for future analyses of pattern morphospace and its mechanistic underpinnings. Summary: A multidimensional morphospace for pigment patterns yields quantitative insights into the evolution and genetics of diverse pigment patterns across zebrafish and related species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yipeng Liang
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Victor M Lewis
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
| | | | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.,Biology Department, Rhode Island College, Providence, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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14
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Eom DS, Patterson LB, Bostic RR, Parichy DM. Immunoglobulin superfamily receptor Junctional adhesion molecule 3 (Jam3) requirement for melanophore survival and patterning during formation of zebrafish stripes. Dev Biol 2021; 476:314-327. [PMID: 33933422 PMCID: PMC10069301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adhesive interactions are essential for tissue patterning and morphogenesis yet difficult to study owing to functional redundancies across genes and gene families. A useful system in which to dissect roles for cell adhesion and adhesion-dependent signaling is the pattern formed by pigment cells in skin of adult zebrafish, in which stripes represent the arrangement of neural crest derived melanophores, cells homologous to melanocytes. In a forward genetic screen for adult pattern defects, we isolated the pissarro (psr) mutant, having a variegated phenotype of spots, as well as defects in adult fin and lens. We show that psr corresponds to junctional adhesion protein 3b (jam3b) encoding a zebrafish orthologue of the two immunoglobulin-like domain receptor JAM3 (JAM-C), known for roles in adhesion and signaling in other developing tissues, and for promoting metastatic behavior of human and murine melanoma cells. We found that zebrafish jam3b is expressed post-embryonically in a variety of cells including melanophores, and that jam3b mutants have defects in melanophore survival. Jam3b supported aggregation of cells in vitro and was required autonomously by melanophores for an adherent phenotype in vivo. Genetic analyses further indicated both overlapping and non-overlapping functions with the related receptor, Immunoglobulin superfamily 11 (Igsf11) and Kit receptor tyrosine kinase. These findings suggest a model for Jam3b function in zebrafish melanophores and hint at the complexity of adhesive interactions underlying pattern formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Seok Eom
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | | | - Raegan R Bostic
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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15
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Masselink W, Tanaka EM. Toward whole tissue imaging of axolotl regeneration. Dev Dyn 2020; 250:800-806. [PMID: 33336514 PMCID: PMC8247021 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The axolotl is a highly regenerative organism and has been studied in laboratories for over 150 years. Despite a long‐standing fascination with regeneration in general and axolotl specifically, we are still scratching the surface trying to visualize and understand the complex cellular behavior that underlies axolotl regeneration. In this review, we will discuss the progress that has been made in visualizing these processes focusing on four major aspects: cell labeling approaches, the removal of pigmentation, reductionist approaches to perform live cell imaging, and finally recent developments applying tissue clearing strategies to visualize the processes that underly regeneration. We also provide several suggestions that the community could consider exploring, notably the generation of novel alleles that further reduce pigmentation as well as improvements in tissue clearing strategies. Historical perspective on axolotl imaging and lineage tracing Description of tissue clearing approaches Refractive index matching strategies Strategies to further reduce pigmentation in axolotl
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Masselink
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BiocCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BiocCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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16
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Gur D, Bain EJ, Johnson KR, Aman AJ, Pasoili HA, Flynn JD, Allen MC, Deheyn DD, Lee JC, Lippincott-Schwartz J, Parichy DM. In situ differentiation of iridophore crystallotypes underlies zebrafish stripe patterning. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6391. [PMID: 33319779 PMCID: PMC7738553 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20088-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin color patterns are ubiquitous in nature, impact social behavior, predator avoidance, and protection from ultraviolet irradiation. A leading model system for vertebrate skin patterning is the zebrafish; its alternating blue stripes and yellow interstripes depend on light-reflecting cells called iridophores. It was suggested that the zebrafish’s color pattern arises from a single type of iridophore migrating differentially to stripes and interstripes. However, here we find that iridophores do not migrate between stripes and interstripes but instead differentiate and proliferate in-place, based on their micro-environment. RNA-sequencing analysis further reveals that stripe and interstripe iridophores have different transcriptomic states, while cryogenic-scanning-electron-microscopy and micro-X-ray diffraction identify different crystal-arrays architectures, indicating that stripe and interstripe iridophores are different cell types. Based on these results, we present an alternative model of skin patterning in zebrafish in which distinct iridophore crystallotypes containing specialized, physiologically responsive, organelles arise in stripe and interstripe by in-situ differentiation. The skin of zebrafish is patterned by alternating blue stripes and yellow interstripes which arises from guanine crystal-containing cells called iridophores that reflect light. Here the authors track iridophores and see that they do not migrate between stripes and interstripes, but instead differentiate and proliferate in place based on their micro-environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dvir Gur
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA.,National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily J Bain
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kory R Johnson
- Bioinformatics Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andy J Aman
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Jessica D Flynn
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael C Allen
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dimitri D Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lee
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. .,Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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17
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San-Jose LM, Roulin A. On the Potential Role of the Neural Crest Cells in Integrating Pigmentation Into Behavioral and Physiological Syndromes. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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18
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Johansson JA, Marie KL, Lu Y, Brombin A, Santoriello C, Zeng Z, Zich J, Gautier P, von Kriegsheim A, Brunsdon H, Wheeler AP, Dreger M, Houston DR, Dooley CM, Sims AH, Busch-Nentwich EM, Zon LI, Illingworth RS, Patton EE. PRL3-DDX21 Transcriptional Control of Endolysosomal Genes Restricts Melanocyte Stem Cell Differentiation. Dev Cell 2020; 54:317-332.e9. [PMID: 32652076 PMCID: PMC7435699 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Melanocytes, replenished throughout life by melanocyte stem cells (MSCs), play a critical role in pigmentation and melanoma. Here, we reveal a function for the metastasis-associated phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL3) in MSC regeneration. We show that PRL3 binds to the RNA helicase DDX21, thereby restricting productive transcription by RNAPII at master transcription factor (MITF)-regulated endolysosomal vesicle genes. In zebrafish, this mechanism controls premature melanoblast expansion and differentiation from MSCs. In melanoma patients, restricted transcription of this endolysosomal vesicle pathway is a hallmark of PRL3-high melanomas. Our work presents the conceptual advance that PRL3-mediated control of transcriptional elongation is a differentiation checkpoint mechanism for activated MSCs and has clinical relevance for the activity of PRL3 in regenerating tissue and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette A Johansson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kerrie L Marie
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yuting Lu
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alessandro Brombin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Cristina Santoriello
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology, Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Zeng
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Judith Zich
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Hannah Brunsdon
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ann P Wheeler
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Marcel Dreger
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Douglas R Houston
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Waddington Building, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Christopher M Dooley
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK; Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, Department ECNV, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrew H Sims
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Elisabeth M Busch-Nentwich
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK; Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology, Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Robert S Illingworth
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
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19
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Liang Y, Meyer A, Kratochwil CF. Neural innervation as a potential trigger of morphological color change and sexual dimorphism in cichlid fish. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12329. [PMID: 32704058 PMCID: PMC7378239 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species change their coloration during ontogeny or even as adults. Color change hereby often serves as sexual or status signal. The cellular and subcellular changes that drive color change and how they are orchestrated have been barely understood, but a deeper knowledge of the underlying processes is important to our understanding of how such plastic changes develop and evolve. Here we studied the color change of the Malawi golden cichlid (Melanchromis auratus). Females and subordinate males of this species are yellow and white with two prominent black stripes (yellow morph; female and non-breeding male coloration), while dominant males change their color and completely invert this pattern with the yellow and white regions becoming black, and the black stripes becoming white to iridescent blue (dark morph; male breeding coloration). A comparison of the two morphs reveals that substantial changes across multiple levels of biological organization underlie this polyphenism. These include changes in pigment cell (chromatophore) number, intracellular dispersal of pigments, and tilting of reflective platelets (iridosomes) within iridophores. At the transcriptional level, we find differences in pigmentation gene expression between these two color morphs but, surprisingly, 80% of the genes overexpressed in the dark morph relate to neuronal processes including synapse formation. Nerve fiber staining confirms that scales of the dark morph are indeed innervated by 1.3 to 2 times more axonal fibers. Our results might suggest an instructive role of nervous innervation orchestrating the complex cellular and ultrastructural changes that drive the morphological color change of this cichlid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Liang
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Axel Meyer
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Claudius F Kratochwil
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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20
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Raja DA, Subramaniam Y, Aggarwal A, Gotherwal V, Babu A, Tanwar J, Motiani RK, Sivasubbu S, Gokhale RS, Natarajan VT. Histone variant dictates fate biasing of neural crest cells to melanocyte lineage. Development 2020; 147:dev.182576. [PMID: 32098766 DOI: 10.1242/dev.182576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In the neural crest lineage, progressive fate restriction and stem cell assignment are crucial for both development and regeneration. Whereas fate commitment events have distinct transcriptional footprints, fate biasing is often transitory and metastable, and is thought to be moulded by epigenetic programmes. Therefore, the molecular basis of specification is difficult to define. In this study, we established a role for a histone variant, H2a.z.2, in specification of the melanocyte lineage from multipotent neural crest cells. H2a.z.2 silencing reduces the number of melanocyte precursors in developing zebrafish embryos and from mouse embryonic stem cells in vitro We demonstrate that this histone variant occupies nucleosomes in the promoter of the key melanocyte determinant mitf, and enhances its induction. CRISPR/Cas9-based targeted mutagenesis of this gene in zebrafish drastically reduces adult melanocytes, as well as their regeneration. Thereby, our study establishes the role of a histone variant upstream of the core gene regulatory network in the neural crest lineage. This epigenetic mark is a key determinant of cell fate and facilitates gene activation by external instructive signals, thereby establishing melanocyte fate identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desingu Ayyappa Raja
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Yogaspoorthi Subramaniam
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Ayush Aggarwal
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Vishvabandhu Gotherwal
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Aswini Babu
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Jyoti Tanwar
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Rajender K Motiani
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Sridhar Sivasubbu
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Rajesh S Gokhale
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Vivek T Natarajan
- Pigment Cell Biology Group, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
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21
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Liang Y, Gerwin J, Meyer A, Kratochwil CF. Developmental and Cellular Basis of Vertical Bar Color Patterns in the East African Cichlid Fish Haplochromis latifasciatus. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:62. [PMID: 32117987 PMCID: PMC7026194 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The East African adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes are renowned for their diversity in coloration. Yet, the developmental basis of pigment pattern formation remains largely unknown. One of the most common melanic patterns in cichlid fishes are vertical bar patterns. Here we describe the ontogeny of this conspicuous pattern in the Lake Kyoga species Haplochromis latifasciatus. Beginning with the larval stages we tracked the formation of this stereotypic color pattern and discovered that its macroscopic appearance is largely explained by an increase in melanophore density and accumulation of melanin during the first 3 weeks post-fertilization. The embryonal analysis is complemented with cytological quantifications of pigment cells in adult scales and the dermis beneath the scales. In adults, melanic bars are characterized by a two to threefold higher density of melanophores than in the intervening yellow interbars. We found no strong support for differences in other pigment cell types such as xanthophores. Quantitative PCRs for twelve known pigmentation genes showed that expression of melanin synthesis genes tyr and tyrp1a is increased five to sixfold in melanic bars, while xanthophore and iridophore marker genes are not differentially expressed. In summary, we provide novel insights on how vertical bars, one of the most widespread vertebrate color patterns, are formed through dynamic control of melanophore density, melanin synthesis and melanosome dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Liang
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jan Gerwin
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Axel Meyer
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Claudius F Kratochwil
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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22
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Patterson LB, Parichy DM. Zebrafish Pigment Pattern Formation: Insights into the Development and Evolution of Adult Form. Annu Rev Genet 2019; 53:505-530. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-112618-043741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate pigment patterns are diverse and fascinating adult traits that allow animals to recognize conspecifics, attract mates, and avoid predators. Pigment patterns in fish are among the most amenable traits for studying the cellular basis of adult form, as the cells that produce diverse patterns are readily visible in the skin during development. The genetic basis of pigment pattern development has been most studied in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Zebrafish adults have alternating dark and light horizontal stripes, resulting from the precise arrangement of three main classes of pigment cells: black melanophores, yellow xanthophores, and iridescent iridophores. The coordination of adult pigment cell lineage specification and differentiation with specific cellular interactions and morphogenetic behaviors is necessary for stripe development. Besides providing a nice example of pattern formation responsible for an adult trait of zebrafish, stripe-forming mechanisms also provide a conceptual framework for posing testable hypotheses about pattern diversification more broadly. Here, we summarize what is known about lineages and molecular interactions required for pattern formation in zebrafish, we review some of what is known about pattern diversification in Danio, and we speculate on how patterns in more distant teleosts may have evolved to produce a stunningly diverse array of patterns in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David M. Parichy
- Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA
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23
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Travnickova J, Wojciechowska S, Khamseh A, Gautier P, Brown DV, Lefevre T, Brombin A, Ewing A, Capper A, Spitzer M, Dilshat R, Semple CA, Mathers ME, Lister JA, Steingrimsson E, Voet T, Ponting CP, Patton EE. Zebrafish MITF-Low Melanoma Subtype Models Reveal Transcriptional Subclusters and MITF-Independent Residual Disease. Cancer Res 2019; 79:5769-5784. [PMID: 31582381 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The melanocyte-inducing transcription factor (MITF)-low melanoma transcriptional signature is predictive of poor outcomes for patients, but little is known about its biological significance, and animal models are lacking. Here, we used zebrafish genetic models with low activity of Mitfa (MITF-low) and established that the MITF-low state is causal of melanoma progression and a predictor of melanoma biological subtype. MITF-low zebrafish melanomas resembled human MITF-low melanomas and were enriched for stem and invasive (mesenchymal) gene signatures. MITF-low activity coupled with a p53 mutation was sufficient to promote superficial growth melanomas, whereas BRAFV600E accelerated MITF-low melanoma onset and further promoted the development of MITF-high nodular growth melanomas. Genetic inhibition of MITF activity led to rapid regression; recurrence occurred following reactivation of MITF. At the regression site, there was minimal residual disease that was resistant to loss of MITF activity (termed MITF-independent cells) with very low-to-no MITF activity or protein. Transcriptomic analysis of MITF-independent residual disease showed enrichment of mesenchymal and neural crest stem cell signatures similar to human therapy-resistant melanomas. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed MITF-independent residual disease was heterogeneous depending on melanoma subtype. Further, there was a shared subpopulation of residual disease cells that was enriched for a neural crest G0-like state that preexisted in the primary tumor and remained present in recurring melanomas. These findings suggest that invasive and stem-like programs coupled with cellular heterogeneity contribute to poor outcomes for MITF-low melanoma patients and that MITF-independent subpopulations are an important therapeutic target to achieve long-term survival outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides a useful model for MITF-low melanomas and MITF-independent cell populations that can be used to study the mechanisms that drive these tumors as well as identify potential therapeutic options.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/22/5769/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Travnickova
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,CRUK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Wojciechowska
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,CRUK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ava Khamseh
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel V Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thomas Lefevre
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alessandro Brombin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,CRUK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ailith Ewing
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Capper
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,CRUK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michaela Spitzer
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ramile Dilshat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Colin A Semple
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marie E Mathers
- Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - James A Lister
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Eiríkur Steingrimsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thierry Voet
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chris P Ponting
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. .,CRUK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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24
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Allen JR, Skeath JB, Johnson SL. Maintenance of Melanocyte Stem Cell Quiescence by GABA-A Signaling in Larval Zebrafish. Genetics 2019; 213:555-566. [PMID: 31444245 PMCID: PMC6781893 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In larval zebrafish, melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) are quiescent, but can be recruited to regenerate the larval pigment pattern following melanocyte ablation. Through pharmacological experiments, we found that inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor function, specifically the GABA-A ρ subtype, induces excessive melanocyte production in larval zebrafish. Conversely, pharmacological activation of GABA-A inhibited melanocyte regeneration. We used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 to generate two mutant alleles of gabrr1, a subtype of GABA-A receptors. Both alleles exhibited robust melanocyte overproduction, while conditional overexpression of gabrr1 inhibited larval melanocyte regeneration. Our data suggest that gabrr1 signaling is necessary to maintain MSC quiescence and sufficient to reduce, but not eliminate, melanocyte regeneration in larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Allen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - James B Skeath
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Stephen L Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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25
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Hendrick LA, Carter GA, Hilbrands EH, Heubel BP, Schilling TF, Le Pabic P. Bar, stripe and spot development in sand-dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi. EvoDevo 2019; 10:18. [PMID: 31417669 PMCID: PMC6691528 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-019-0132-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Melanic patterns such as horizontal stripes, vertical bars and spots are common among teleost fishes and often serve roles in camouflage or mimicry. Extensive research in the zebrafish model has shown that the development of horizontal stripes depends on complex cellular interactions between melanophores, xanthophores and iridophores. Little is known about the development of horizontal stripes in other teleosts, and even less is known about bar or spot development. Here, we compare chromatophore composition and development of stripes, bars and spots in two cichlid species of sand-dwellers from Lake Malawi—Copadichromis azureus and Dimidiochromis compressiceps. Results (1) In D. compressiceps, stripes are made of dense melanophores underlaid by xanthophores and overlaid by iridophores. Melanophores and xanthophores are either loose or absent in interstripes, and iridophores are dense. In C. azureus, spots and bars are composed of a chromatophore arrangement similar to that of stripes but are separated by interbars where density of melanophores and xanthophores is only slightly lower than in stripes and iridophore density appears slightly greater. (2) Stripe, bar and spot chromatophores appear in the skin at metamorphosis. Stripe melanophores directly differentiate along horizontal myosepta into the adult pattern. In contrast, bar number and position are dynamic throughout development. As body length increases, new bars appear between old ones or by splitting of old ones through new melanophore appearance, not migration. Xanthophore and iridophore distributions follow melanophore patterns. (3) Metamorphic pigmentation arises in cichlids in a fashion similar to that described in zebrafish: melanophore progenitors derived from the medial route of neural crest migration migrate from the vicinity of the neural tube to the skin during metamorphosis. Conclusion The three pigment cell types forming stripes, bars and spots arise in the skin at metamorphosis. Stripes develop by differentiation of melanophores along horizontal myosepta, while bars do not develop along patent anatomical boundaries and increase in number in relation with body size. We propose that metamorphic melanophore differentiation and migratory arrest upon arrival to the skin lead to stripe formation, while bar formation must be supported by extensive migration of undifferentiated melanophores in the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Hendrick
- 1Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5216 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
| | - Grace A Carter
- 1Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5216 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
| | - Erin H Hilbrands
- 1Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5216 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
| | - Brian P Heubel
- 1Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5216 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
| | - Thomas F Schilling
- 2Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, 4109 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697-2300 USA
| | - Pierre Le Pabic
- 1Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5216 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA
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26
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Luo M, Wang L, Yin H, Zhu W, Fu J, Dong Z. Integrated analysis of long non-coding RNA and mRNA expression in different colored skin of koi carp. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:515. [PMID: 31226932 PMCID: PMC6588874 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform crucial roles in biological process involving complex mechanisms. However, information regarding their abundance, characteristics and potential functions linked to fish skin color is limited. Herein, Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics were conducted on black, white, and red skin of Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). RESULTS A total of 590,415,050 clean reads, 446,614 putative transcripts, 4252 known and 72,907 novel lncRNAs were simultaneously obtained, including 92 significant differentially expressed lncRNAs and 722 mRNAs. Ccr_lnc5622441 and Ccr_lnc765201 were up-regulated in black and red skin, Ccr_lnc14074601 and Ccr_lnc2382951 were up-regulated in white skin, and premelanosome protein a (Pmela), Pmelb and tyrosinase (Tyr) were up-regulated in black skin. The expression patterns of 18 randomly selected differentially expressed genes were validated using the quantitative real-time PCR method. Moreover, 70 lncRNAs acting on 107 target mRNAs in cis and 79 lncRNAs acting on 41,625 target mRNAs in trans were investigated. The resulting co-expression networks revealed that a single lncRNA can connect with numerous mRNAs, and vice versa. To further reveal their potential functions, Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed, and membrane, pigment cell development, cAMP signaling, melanogenesis and tyrosine metabolism appear to affect skin pigmentation. Additionally, three lncRNAs (Ccr_lnc142711, Ccr_lnc17214525 and Ccr_lnc14830101) and three mRNAs (Asip, Mitf and Tyr) involved in the melanogenesis pathway were investigated in terms of potential functions in embryogenesis and different tissues. CONCLUSIONS The findings broaden our understanding of lncRNAs and skin color genetics, and provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated pigmentation and differentiation in Koi carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkun Luo
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
| | - Lanmei Wang
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
| | - Haoran Yin
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
| | - Wenbin Zhu
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
| | - Jianjun Fu
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
| | - Zaijie Dong
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wuxi, 214081 Jiangsu China
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27
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Lewis VM, Saunders LM, Larson TA, Bain EJ, Sturiale SL, Gur D, Chowdhury S, Flynn JD, Allen MC, Deheyn DD, Lee JC, Simon JA, Lippincott-Schwartz J, Raible DW, Parichy DM. Fate plasticity and reprogramming in genetically distinct populations of Danio leucophores. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:11806-11811. [PMID: 31138706 PMCID: PMC6575160 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1901021116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding genetic and cellular bases of adult form remains a fundamental goal at the intersection of developmental and evolutionary biology. The skin pigment cells of vertebrates, derived from embryonic neural crest, are a useful system for elucidating mechanisms of fate specification, pattern formation, and how particular phenotypes impact organismal behavior and ecology. In a survey of Danio fishes, including the zebrafish Danio rerio, we identified two populations of white pigment cells-leucophores-one of which arises by transdifferentiation of adult melanophores and another of which develops from a yellow-orange xanthophore or xanthophore-like progenitor. Single-cell transcriptomic, mutational, chemical, and ultrastructural analyses of zebrafish leucophores revealed cell-type-specific chemical compositions, organelle configurations, and genetic requirements. At the organismal level, we identified distinct physiological responses of leucophores during environmental background matching, and we showed that leucophore complement influences behavior. Together, our studies reveal independently arisen pigment cell types and mechanisms of fate acquisition in zebrafish and illustrate how concerted analyses across hierarchical levels can provide insights into phenotypes and their evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Lewis
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Lauren M Saunders
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Tracy A Larson
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Emily J Bain
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | | | - Dvir Gur
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Sarwat Chowdhury
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Jessica D Flynn
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Michael C Allen
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Dimitri D Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Jennifer C Lee
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Julian A Simon
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109
| | | | - David W Raible
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903;
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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28
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Magic Traits in Magic Fish: Understanding Color Pattern Evolution Using Reef Fish. Trends Genet 2019; 35:265-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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29
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Camargo-Sosa K, Colanesi S, Müller J, Schulte-Merker S, Stemple D, Patton EE, Kelsh RN. Endothelin receptor Aa regulates proliferation and differentiation of Erb-dependent pigment progenitors in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007941. [PMID: 30811380 PMCID: PMC6392274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin pigment patterns are important, being under strong selection for multiple roles including camouflage and UV protection. Pigment cells underlying these patterns form from adult pigment stem cells (APSCs). In zebrafish, APSCs derive from embryonic neural crest cells, but sit dormant until activated to produce pigment cells during metamorphosis. The APSCs are set-aside in an ErbB signaling dependent manner, but the mechanism maintaining quiescence until metamorphosis remains unknown. Mutants for a pigment pattern gene, parade, exhibit ectopic pigment cells localised to the ventral trunk, but also supernumerary cells restricted to the Ventral Stripe. Contrary to expectations, these melanocytes and iridophores are discrete cells, but closely apposed. We show that parade encodes Endothelin receptor Aa, expressed in the blood vessels, most prominently in the medial blood vessels, consistent with the ventral trunk phenotype. We provide evidence that neuronal fates are not affected in parade mutants, arguing against transdifferentiation of sympathetic neurons to pigment cells. We show that inhibition of BMP signaling prevents specification of sympathetic neurons, indicating conservation of this molecular mechanism with chick and mouse. However, inhibition of sympathetic neuron differentiation does not enhance the parade phenotype. Instead, we pinpoint ventral trunk-restricted proliferation of neural crest cells as an early feature of the parade phenotype. Importantly, using a chemical genetic screen for rescue of the ectopic pigment cell phenotype of parade mutants (whilst leaving the embryonic pattern untouched), we identify ErbB inhibitors as a key hit. The time-window of sensitivity to these inhibitors mirrors precisely the window defined previously as crucial for the setting aside of APSCs in the embryo, strongly implicating adult pigment stem cells as the source of the ectopic pigment cells. We propose that a novel population of APSCs exists in association with medial blood vessels, and that their quiescence is dependent upon Endothelin-dependent factors expressed by the blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Camargo-Sosa
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Colanesi
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanette Müller
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Derek Stemple
- Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - E. Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert N. Kelsh
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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30
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Heriniaina RM, Dong J, Kalavagunta PK, Wu HL, Yan DS, Shang J. Effects of six compounds with different chemical structures on melanogenesis. Chin J Nat Med 2018; 16:766-773. [PMID: 30322610 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(18)30116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Several chemical compounds can restore pigmentation in vitiligo through mechanisms that vary according to disease etiology. In the present study, we investigated the melanogenic activity of six structurally distinct compounds, namely, scopoletin, kaempferol, chrysin, vitamin D3, piperine, and 6-benzylaminopurine. We determined their effectiveness, toxicity, and mechanism of action for stimulating pigmentation in B16F10 melanoma cells and in a zebrafish model. The melanogenic activity of 6-benzylaminopurine, the compound identified as the most potent, was further verified by measuring green fluorescent protein concentration in tyrp1 a: eGFP (tyrosinase-related protein 1) zebrafish and mitfa: eGFP (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) zebrafish and antioxidative activity. All the tested compounds were found to enhance melanogenesis responses both in vivo and in vitro at their respective optimal concentration by increasing melanin content and expression of TYR and MITF. 6-Benzyamino-purine showed the strongest re-pigmentation action at a concentration of 20 μmol·L-1in vivo and 100 μmol·L-1in vitro, and up-regulated the strong fluorescence expression of green fluorescent protein in tyrp1a: eGFP and mitfa: eGFP zebrafish in vitro. However, its relative anti-oxidative activity was found to be very low. Overall, our results indicated that 6-benzylaminopurine stimulated pigmentation through a direct mechanism, by increasing melanin content via positive regulation of tyrosinase activity in vitro, as well as up-regulating the expression of the green fluorescent protein in transgenic zebrafish in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakotomalala Manda Heriniaina
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jing Dong
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Praveen Kumar Kalavagunta
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Hua-Li Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Yan
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jing Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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31
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Lajis AFB. A Zebrafish Embryo as an Animal Model for the Treatment of Hyperpigmentation in Cosmetic Dermatology Medicine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 54:medicina54030035. [PMID: 30344266 PMCID: PMC6122095 DOI: 10.3390/medicina54030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
For years, clinical studies involving human volunteers and several known pre-clinical in vivo models (i.e., mice, guinea pigs) have demonstrated their reliability in evaluating the effectiveness of a number of depigmenting agents. Although these models have great advantages, they also suffer from several drawbacks, especially involving ethical issues regarding experimentation. At present, a new depigmenting model using zebrafish has been proposed and demonstrated. The application of this model for screening and studying the depigmenting activity of many bioactive compounds has been given great attention in genetics, medicinal chemistry and even the cosmetic industry. Depigmenting studies using this model have been recognized as noteworthy approaches to investigating the antimelanogenic activity of bioactive compounds in vivo. This article details the current knowledge of zebrafish pigmentation and its reliability as a model for the screening and development of depigmenting agents. Several methods to quantify the antimelanogenic activity of bioactive compounds in this model, such as phenotype-based screening, melanin content, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, other related proteins and transcription genes, are reviewed. Depigmenting activity of several bioactive compounds which have been reported towards this model are compared in terms of their molecular structure and possible mode of actions. This includes patented materials with regard to the application of zebrafish as a depigmenting model, in order to give an insight of its intellectual value. At the end of this article, some limitations are highlighted and several recommendations are suggested for improvement of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Firdaus B Lajis
- Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Bioscience, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing Research Center, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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32
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Heffer A, Marquart GD, Aquilina-Beck A, Saleem N, Burgess HA, Dawid IB. Generation and characterization of Kctd15 mutations in zebrafish. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189162. [PMID: 29216270 PMCID: PMC5720732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 (Kctd15) was previously found to have a role in early neural crest (NC) patterning, specifically delimiting the region where NC markers are expressed via repression of transcription factor AP-2a and inhibition of Wnt signaling. We used transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) to generate null mutations in zebrafish kctd15a and kctd15b paralogs to study the in vivo role of Kctd15. We found that while deletions producing frame-shift mutations in each paralog showed no apparent phenotype, kctd15a/b double mutant zebrafish are smaller in size and show several phenotypes including some affecting the NC, such as expansion of the early NC domain, increased pigmentation, and craniofacial defects. Both melanophore and xanthophore pigment cell numbers and early markers are up-regulated in the double mutants. While we find no embryonic craniofacial defects, adult mutants have a deformed maxillary segment and missing barbels. By confocal imaging of mutant larval brains we found that the torus lateralis (TLa), a region implicated in gustatory networks in other fish, is absent. Ablation of this brain tissue in wild type larvae mimics some aspects of the mutant growth phenotype. Thus kctd15 mutants show deficits in the development of both neural crest derivatives, and specific regions within the central nervous system, leading to a strong reduction in normal growth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Heffer
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Gregory D. Marquart
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Allisan Aquilina-Beck
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Nabil Saleem
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Harold A. Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Igor B. Dawid
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ahi EP, Sefc KM. Anterior-posterior gene expression differences in three Lake Malawi cichlid fishes with variation in body stripe orientation. PeerJ 2017; 5:e4080. [PMID: 29158996 PMCID: PMC5695249 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological differentiation among closely related species provides opportunities to study mechanisms shaping natural phenotypic variation. Here, we address variation in the orientation of melanin-colored body stripes in three cichlid species of the tribe Haplochromini. Melanochromis auratus displays a common pattern of dark, straight horizontal body stripes, whereas in Aristochromis christyi and Buccochromis rhoadesii, oblique stripes extend from the anterior dorsal to the posterior mid-lateral trunk. We first validated a stably reference gene, and then, investigated the chromatophore distribution in the skin by assessing the expression levels of the iridophore and melanophore marker genes, ltk and slc24a5, respectively, as well as pmel, a melanophore pigmentation marker gene. We found anterior-posterior differences in the expression levels of the three genes in the oblique-striped species. The higher anterior expression of ltk, indicates increased iridophore density in the anterior region, i.e., uneven horizontal distribution of iridophores, which coincides with the anterior dorsalization of melanophore stripe in these species. The obliqueness of the horizontal body stripes might be a result of distinct migratory or patterning abilities of melanophores in anterior and posterior stripe regions which could be reflected by variation in the expression of genes involved in melanophore patterning. To address this, we investigated anterior-posterior expression levels of a primary set of candidate target genes with known functions in melanophore migration and stripe patterning in the adult zebrafish, and their related gene regulatory network. Among these genes, those with differences in anterior-posterior expression showed only species-specific differential expression, e.g., sdf1a, col14a1a, ifitm5, and agpat3, with the exception of fbxw4/hagoromo (differentially expressed in an oblique-and the straight-striped species). In summary, distinct anterior-posterior gradients in iridophore density found to be more similar characteristic between the two oblique-striped species. Furthermore, the species-specific differential expression of genes involved in stripe patterning might also implicate distinct molecular processes underlying the obliqueness of body stripe in two closely related cichlid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, Universität Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kristina M Sefc
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, Universität Graz, Graz, Austria
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Vibert L, Aquino G, Gehring I, Subkankulova T, Schilling TF, Rocco A, Kelsh RN. An ongoing role for Wnt signaling in differentiating melanocytes in vivo. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 30:219-232. [PMID: 27977907 PMCID: PMC5360516 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A role for Wnt signaling in melanocyte specification from neural crest is conserved across vertebrates, but possible ongoing roles in melanocyte differentiation have received little attention. Using a systems biology approach to investigate the gene regulatory network underlying stable melanocyte differentiation in zebrafish highlighted a requirement for a positive-feedback loop involving the melanocyte master regulator Mitfa. Here, we test the hypothesis that Wnt signaling contributes to that positive feedback. We show firstly that Wnt signaling remains active in differentiating melanocytes and secondly that enhanced Wnt signaling drives elevated transcription of mitfa. We show that chemical activation of the Wnt signaling pathway at early stages of melanocyte development enhances melanocyte specification as expected, but importantly that at later (differentiation) stages, it results in altered melanocyte morphology, although melanisation is not obviously affected. Downregulation of Wnt signaling also results in altered melanocyte morphology and organization. We conclude that Wnt signaling plays a role in regulating ongoing aspects of melanocyte differentiation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vibert
- Developmental Biology ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiochemistryCentre for Regenerative MedicineUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Gerardo Aquino
- Department of Microbial and Cellular SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK
| | - Ines Gehring
- Developmental and Cell Biology School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, IrvineCAUSA
| | - Tatiana Subkankulova
- Developmental Biology ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiochemistryCentre for Regenerative MedicineUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Thomas F. Schilling
- Developmental and Cell Biology School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, IrvineCAUSA
| | - Andrea Rocco
- Department of Microbial and Cellular SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK
| | - Robert N. Kelsh
- Developmental Biology ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiochemistryCentre for Regenerative MedicineUniversity of BathBathUK
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35
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Seberg HE, Van Otterloo E, Loftus SK, Liu H, Bonde G, Sompallae R, Gildea DE, Santana JF, Manak JR, Pavan WJ, Williams T, Cornell RA. TFAP2 paralogs regulate melanocyte differentiation in parallel with MITF. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006636. [PMID: 28249010 PMCID: PMC5352137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding transcription factor TFAP2A result in pigmentation anomalies in model organisms and premature hair graying in humans. However, the pleiotropic functions of TFAP2A and its redundantly-acting paralogs have made the precise contribution of TFAP2-type activity to melanocyte differentiation unclear. Defining this contribution may help to explain why TFAP2A expression is reduced in advanced-stage melanoma compared to benign nevi. To identify genes with TFAP2A-dependent expression in melanocytes, we profile zebrafish tissue and mouse melanocytes deficient in Tfap2a, and find that expression of a small subset of genes underlying pigmentation phenotypes is TFAP2A-dependent, including Dct, Mc1r, Mlph, and Pmel. We then conduct TFAP2A ChIP-seq in mouse and human melanocytes and find that a much larger subset of pigmentation genes is associated with active regulatory elements bound by TFAP2A. These elements are also frequently bound by MITF, which is considered the "master regulator" of melanocyte development. For example, the promoter of TRPM1 is bound by both TFAP2A and MITF, and we show that the activity of a minimal TRPM1 promoter is lost upon deletion of the TFAP2A binding sites. However, the expression of Trpm1 is not TFAP2A-dependent, implying that additional TFAP2 paralogs function redundantly to drive melanocyte differentiation, which is consistent with previous results from zebrafish. Paralogs Tfap2a and Tfap2b are both expressed in mouse melanocytes, and we show that mouse embryos with Wnt1-Cre-mediated deletion of Tfap2a and Tfap2b in the neural crest almost completely lack melanocytes but retain neural crest-derived sensory ganglia. These results suggest that TFAP2 paralogs, like MITF, are also necessary for induction of the melanocyte lineage. Finally, we observe a genetic interaction between tfap2a and mitfa in zebrafish, but find that artificially elevating expression of tfap2a does not increase levels of melanin in mitfa hypomorphic or loss-of-function mutants. Collectively, these results show that TFAP2 paralogs, operating alongside lineage-specific transcription factors such as MITF, directly regulate effectors of terminal differentiation in melanocytes. In addition, they suggest that TFAP2A activity, like MITF activity, has the potential to modulate the phenotype of melanoma cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Line
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cells, Cultured
- Embryo, Mammalian/embryology
- Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/embryology
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism
- Gene Expression Profiling/methods
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Humans
- Melanocytes/metabolism
- Mice, Knockout
- Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/genetics
- Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Mutation
- Pigmentation/genetics
- RNA Interference
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Transcription Factor AP-2/genetics
- Transcription Factor AP-2/metabolism
- Zebrafish
- Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Seberg
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Eric Van Otterloo
- SDM-Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Stacie K. Loftus
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Greg Bonde
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Ramakrishna Sompallae
- Bioinformatics Division, Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Derek E. Gildea
- Bioinformatics and Scientific Programming Core, Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Juan F. Santana
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - J. Robert Manak
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - William J. Pavan
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Trevor Williams
- SDM-Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Cornell
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
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36
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Ahi EP, Sefc KM. A gene expression study of dorso-ventrally restricted pigment pattern in adult fins of Neolamprologus meeli, an African cichlid species. PeerJ 2017; 5:e2843. [PMID: 28097057 PMCID: PMC5228514 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish color patterns are among the most diverse phenotypic traits found in the animal kingdom. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control in chromatophore distribution and pigmentation underlying this diversity is a major goal in developmental and evolutionary biology, which has predominantly been pursued in the zebrafish model system. Here, we apply results from zebrafish work to study a naturally occurring color pattern phenotype in the fins of an African cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika. The cichlid fish Neolamprologus meeli displays a distinct dorsal color pattern, with black and white stripes along the edges of the dorsal fin and of the dorsal half of the caudal fin, corresponding with differences in melanophore density. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the differences in dorsal and ventral color patterning in the fins, we quantitatively assessed the expression of 15 candidate target genes involved in adult zebrafish pigmentation and stripe formation. For reference gene validation, we screened the expression stability of seven widely expressed genes across the investigated tissue samples and identified tbp as appropriate reference. Relative expression levels of the candidate target genes were compared between the dorsal, striped fin regions and the corresponding uniform, grey-colored regions in the anal and ventral caudal fin. Dorso-ventral expression differences, with elevated levels in both white and black stripes, were observed in two genes, the melanosome protein coding gene pmel and in igsf11, which affects melanophore adhesion, migration and survival. Next, we predicted potential shared upstream regulators of pmel and igsf11. Testing the expression patterns of six predicted transcriptions factors revealed dorso-ventral expression difference of irf1 and significant, negative expression correlation of irf1 with both pmel and igsf11. Based on these results, we propose pmel, igsf11 and irf1 as likely components of the genetic mechanism controlling distinct dorso-ventral color patterns in N. meeli fins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, Universität Graz , Graz , Austria
| | - Kristina M Sefc
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, Universität Graz , Graz , Austria
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37
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Kelsh RN, Sosa KC, Owen JP, Yates CA. Zebrafish adult pigment stem cells are multipotent and form pigment cells by a progressive fate restriction process: Clonal analysis identifies shared origin of all pigment cell types. Bioessays 2016; 39. [PMID: 28009049 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Skin pigment pattern formation is a paradigmatic example of pattern formation. In zebrafish, the adult body stripes are generated by coordinated rearrangement of three distinct pigment cell-types, black melanocytes, shiny iridophores and yellow xanthophores. A stem cell origin of melanocytes and iridophores has been proposed although the potency of those stem cells has remained unclear. Xanthophores, however, seemed to originate predominantly from proliferation of embryonic xanthophores. Now, data from Singh et al. shows that all three cell-types derive from shared stem cells, and that these cells generate peripheral neural cell-types too. Furthermore, clonal compositions are best explained by a progressive fate restriction model generating the individual cell-types. The numbers of adult pigment stem cells associated with the dorsal root ganglia remain low, but progenitor numbers increase significantly during larval development up to metamorphosis, likely via production of partially restricted progenitors on the spinal nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N Kelsh
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Karen C Sosa
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Jennifer P Owen
- Department of Mathematical Sciences and Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | - Christian A Yates
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
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38
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Wojciechowska S, van Rooijen E, Ceol C, Patton EE, White RM. Generation and analysis of zebrafish melanoma models. Methods Cell Biol 2016; 134:531-49. [PMID: 27312504 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The rapid emergence of the zebrafish as a cancer model has been aided by advances in genetic, chemical, and imaging technologies. Melanoma in particular highlights both the power and challenges associated with cancer modeling in zebrafish. This chapter focuses on the lessons that have emerged from the melanoma models as paradigmatic of what will apply to nearly all cancer models in the zebrafish system. We specifically focus on methodologies related to germline and mosaic transgenic melanoma generation, and how these can be used to deeply interrogate additional cooperating oncogenes or tumor suppressors. These transgenic tumors can in turn be used to generate zebrafish-specific, stable melanoma cell lines which can be fluorescently labeled, modified by cDNA/CRISPR techniques, and used for detailed in vivo imaging of cancer progression in real time. These zebrafish melanoma models are beginning to elucidate both cell intrinsic and microenvironmental factors in melanoma that have broader implications for human disease. We envision that nearly all of the techniques described here can be applied to other zebrafish cancer models, and likely expanded beyond what we describe here.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Wojciechowska
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, and The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - E van Rooijen
- Stem Cell Program and the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - C Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine and Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - E E Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, and The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - R M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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39
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Wojciechowska S, Zeng Z, Lister JA, Ceol CJ, Patton EE. Melanoma Regression and Recurrence in Zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1451:143-53. [PMID: 27464806 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3771-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer with high mortality rates. Most melanoma cases have activating mutations in BRAF (V600E) and the selective inhibitors of BRAF(V600E) have been successfully used in patients. However, after initial tumor regression, the majority of patients develop drug resistance resulting in tumor regrowth. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms underlying these processes. We have recently described the role of the master melanocyte transcription factor MITF in tumor growth, regression, and recurrence. Here, we describe protocols to study regression and recurrence in vivo, as well as for histology and immunohistochemistry, using a temperature-sensitive zebrafish model of human melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Wojciechowska
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Genetics Unit & The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Zhiqiang Zeng
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Genetics Unit & The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - James A Lister
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine Sanger Hall, 11-014, 1101 E. Marshall St. Richmond, VA, 23298-0033, UK
| | - Craig J Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine and Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, USA
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Genetics Unit & The University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
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40
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Abstract
Colour patterns are prominent features of many animals and have important functions in communication, such as camouflage, kin recognition and mate choice. As targets for natural as well as sexual selection, they are of high evolutionary significance. The molecular mechanisms underlying colour pattern formation in vertebrates are not well understood. Progress in transgenic tools, in vivo imaging and the availability of a large collection of mutants make the zebrafish (Danio rerio) an attractive model to study vertebrate colouration. Zebrafish display golden and blue horizontal stripes that form during metamorphosis as mosaics of yellow xanthophores, silvery or blue iridophores and black melanophores in the hypodermis. Lineage tracing revealed the origin of the adult pigment cells and their individual cellular behaviours during the formation of the striped pattern. Mutant analysis indicated that interactions between all three pigment cell types are required for the formation of the pattern, and a number of cell surface molecules and signalling systems have been identified as mediators of these interactions. The understanding of the mechanisms that underlie colour pattern formation is an important step towards deciphering the genetic basis of variation in evolution.
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Abstract
Melanocyte development provides an excellent model for studying more complex developmental processes. Melanocytes have an apparently simple aetiology, differentiating from the neural crest and migrating through the developing embryo to specific locations within the skin and hair follicles, and to other sites in the body. The study of pigmentation mutations in the mouse provided the initial key to identifying the genes and proteins involved in melanocyte development. In addition, work on chicken has provided important embryological and molecular insights, whereas studies in zebrafish have allowed live imaging as well as genetic and transgenic approaches. This cross-species approach is powerful and, as we review here, has resulted in a detailed understanding of melanocyte development and differentiation, melanocyte stem cells and the role of the melanocyte lineage in diseases such as melanoma. Summary: This Review discusses melanocyte development and differentiation, melanocyte stem cells, and the role of the melanocyte lineage in diseases such as melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian J Jackson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Cancer Centre, MRC Institute for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
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42
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Zeng Z, Johnson SL, Lister JA, Patton EE. Temperature-sensitive splicing of mitfa by an intron mutation in zebrafish. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 28:229-32. [PMID: 25469769 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zeng
- MRC IGMM, MRC Human Genetics Unit, University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Edinburgh, UK
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43
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Ceinos RM, Guillot R, Kelsh RN, Cerdá-Reverter JM, Rotllant J. Pigment patterns in adult fish result from superimposition of two largely independent pigmentation mechanisms. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 28:196-209. [PMID: 25469713 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Dorso-ventral pigment pattern differences are the most widespread pigmentary adaptations in vertebrates. In mammals, this pattern is controlled by regulating melanin chemistry in melanocytes using a protein, agouti-signalling peptide (ASIP). In fish, studies of pigment patterning have focused on stripe formation, identifying a core striping mechanism dependent upon interactions between different pigment cell types. In contrast, mechanisms driving the dorso-ventral countershading pattern have been overlooked. Here, we demonstrate that, in fact, zebrafish utilize two distinct adult pigment patterning mechanisms - an ancient dorso-ventral patterning mechanism, and a more recent striping mechanism based on cell-cell interactions; remarkably, the dorso-ventral patterning mechanism also utilizes ASIP. These two mechanisms function largely independently, with resultant patterns superimposed to give the full pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M Ceinos
- Aquatic Molecular Pathobiology Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
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44
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Parichy DM, Spiewak JE. Origins of adult pigmentation: diversity in pigment stem cell lineages and implications for pattern evolution. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 28:31-50. [PMID: 25421288 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Teleosts comprise about half of all vertebrate species and exhibit an extraordinary diversity of adult pigment patterns that function in shoaling, camouflage, and mate choice and have played important roles in speciation. Here, we review studies that have identified several distinct neural crest lineages, with distinct genetic requirements, that give rise to adult pigment cells in fishes. These lineages include post-embryonic, peripheral nerve-associated stem cells that generate black melanophores and iridescent iridophores, cells derived directly from embryonic neural crest cells that generate yellow-orange xanthophores, and bipotent stem cells that generate both melanophores and xanthophores. This complexity in adult chromatophore lineages has implications for our understanding of adult traits, melanoma, and the evolutionary diversification of pigment cell lineages and patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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45
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Yen J, White RM, Wedge DC, Van Loo P, de Ridder J, Capper A, Richardson J, Jones D, Raine K, Watson IR, Wu CJ, Cheng J, Martincorena I, Nik-Zainal S, Mudie L, Moreau Y, Marshall J, Ramakrishna M, Tarpey P, Shlien A, Whitmore I, Gamble S, Latimer C, Langdon E, Kaufman C, Dovey M, Taylor A, Menzies A, McLaren S, O'Meara S, Butler A, Teague J, Lister J, Chin L, Campbell P, Adams DJ, Zon LI, Patton EE, Stemple DL, Futreal PA. The genetic heterogeneity and mutational burden of engineered melanomas in zebrafish models. Genome Biol 2014; 14:R113. [PMID: 24148783 PMCID: PMC3983654 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Expression of oncogenic BRAF or NRAS, which are frequently mutated in human melanomas, promote the formation of nevi but are not sufficient for tumorigenesis. Even with germline mutated p53, these engineered melanomas present with variable onset and pathology, implicating additional somatic mutations in a multi-hit tumorigenic process. Results To decipher the genetics of these melanomas, we sequence the protein coding exons of 53 primary melanomas generated from several BRAFV600E or NRASQ61K driven transgenic zebrafish lines. We find that engineered zebrafish melanomas show an overall low mutation burden, which has a strong, inverse association with the number of initiating germline drivers. Although tumors reveal distinct mutation spectrums, they show mostly C > T transitions without UV light exposure, and enrichment of mutations in melanogenesis, p53 and MAPK signaling. Importantly, a recurrent amplification occurring with pre-configured drivers BRAFV600E and p53-/- suggests a novel path of BRAF cooperativity through the protein kinase A pathway. Conclusion This is the first analysis of a melanoma mutational landscape in the absence of UV light, where tumors manifest with remarkably low mutation burden and high heterogeneity. Genotype specific amplification of protein kinase A in cooperation with BRAF and p53 mutation suggests the involvement of melanogenesis in these tumors. This work is important for defining the spectrum of events in BRAF or NRAS driven melanoma in the absence of UV light, and for informed exploitation of models such as transgenic zebrafish to better understand mechanisms leading to human melanoma formation.
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46
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Efficient multiplex biallelic zebrafish genome editing using a CRISPR nuclease system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:13904-9. [PMID: 23918387 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1308335110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 901] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A simple and robust method for targeted mutagenesis in zebrafish has long been sought. Previous methods generate monoallelic mutations in the germ line of F0 animals, usually delaying homozygosity for the mutation to the F2 generation. Generation of robust biallelic mutations in the F0 would allow for phenotypic analysis directly in injected animals. Recently the type II prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) system has been adapted to serve as a targeted genome mutagenesis tool. Here we report an improved CRISPR/Cas system in zebrafish with custom guide RNAs and a zebrafish codon-optimized Cas9 protein that efficiently targeted a reporter transgene Tg(-5.1mnx1:egfp) and four endogenous loci (tyr, golden, mitfa, and ddx19). Mutagenesis rates reached 75-99%, indicating that most cells contained biallelic mutations. Recessive null-like phenotypes were observed in four of the five targeting cases, supporting high rates of biallelic gene disruption. We also observed efficient germ-line transmission of the Cas9-induced mutations. Finally, five genomic loci can be targeted simultaneously, resulting in multiple loss-of-function phenotypes in the same injected fish. This CRISPR/Cas9 system represents a highly effective and scalable gene knockout method in zebrafish and has the potential for applications in other model organisms.
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Mazur MA, Winkler M, Ganić E, Colberg JK, Johansson JK, Bennet H, Fex M, Nuber UA, Artner I. Microphthalmia transcription factor regulates pancreatic β-cell function. Diabetes 2013; 62:2834-42. [PMID: 23610061 PMCID: PMC3717881 DOI: 10.2337/db12-1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Precise regulation of β-cell function is crucial for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Pax6 is an essential regulator of β-cell-specific factors like insulin and Glut2. Studies in the developing eye suggest that Pax6 interacts with Mitf to regulate pigment cell differentiation. Here, we show that Mitf, like Pax6, is expressed in all pancreatic endocrine cells during mouse postnatal development and in the adult islet. A Mitf loss-of-function mutation results in improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin secretion but no increase in β-cell mass in adult mice. Mutant β-cells secrete more insulin in response to glucose than wild-type cells, suggesting that Mitf is involved in regulating β-cell function. In fact, the transcription of genes critical for maintaining glucose homeostasis (insulin and Glut2) and β-cell formation and function (Pax4 and Pax6) is significantly upregulated in Mitf mutant islets. The increased Pax6 expression may cause the improved β-cell function observed in Mitf mutant animals, as it activates insulin and Glut2 transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis shows that Mitf binds to Pax4 and Pax6 regulatory regions, suggesting that Mitf represses their transcription in wild-type β-cells. We demonstrate that Mitf directly regulates Pax6 transcription and controls β-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hedvig Bennet
- Unit for Diabetes and Celiac Disease, Clinical Research Center, Diabetes Center, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Malin Fex
- Unit for Diabetes and Celiac Disease, Clinical Research Center, Diabetes Center, Lund University, Sweden
| | | | - Isabella Artner
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Sweden
- Corresponding author: Isabella Artner,
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Higdon CW, Mitra RD, Johnson SL. Gene expression analysis of zebrafish melanocytes, iridophores, and retinal pigmented epithelium reveals indicators of biological function and developmental origin. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67801. [PMID: 23874447 PMCID: PMC3706446 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to facilitate understanding of pigment cell biology, we developed a method to concomitantly purify melanocytes, iridophores, and retinal pigmented epithelium from zebrafish, and analyzed their transcriptomes. Comparing expression data from these cell types and whole embryos allowed us to reveal gene expression co-enrichment in melanocytes and retinal pigmented epithelium, as well as in melanocytes and iridophores. We found 214 genes co-enriched in melanocytes and retinal pigmented epithelium, indicating the shared functions of melanin-producing cells. We found 62 genes significantly co-enriched in melanocytes and iridophores, illustrative of their shared developmental origins from the neural crest. This is also the first analysis of the iridophore transcriptome. Gene expression analysis for iridophores revealed extensive enrichment of specific enzymes to coordinate production of their guanine-based reflective pigment. We speculate the coordinated upregulation of specific enzymes from several metabolic pathways recycles the rate-limiting substrate for purine synthesis, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, thus constituting a guanine cycle. The purification procedure and expression analysis described here, along with the accompanying transcriptome-wide expression data, provide the first mRNA sequencing data for multiple purified zebrafish pigment cell types, and will be a useful resource for further studies of pigment cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Higdon
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CWH); (SLJ)
| | - Robi D. Mitra
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Stephen L. Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CWH); (SLJ)
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49
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Lister JA, Capper A, Zeng Z, Mathers ME, Richardson J, Paranthaman K, Jackson IJ, Elizabeth Patton E. A conditional zebrafish MITF mutation reveals MITF levels are critical for melanoma promotion vs. regression in vivo. J Invest Dermatol 2013; 134:133-140. [PMID: 23831555 PMCID: PMC3898314 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is the “master melanocyte transcription factor” with a complex role in melanoma. MITF protein levels vary between and within clinical specimens, and amplifications and gain- and loss-of-function mutations have been identified in melanoma. How MITF functions in melanoma development and the effects of targeting MITF in vivo are unknown because MITF levels have not been directly tested in a genetic animal model. Here, we use a temperature-sensitive mitf zebrafish mutant to conditionally control endogenous MITF activity. We show that low levels of endogenous MITF activity are oncogenic with BRAFV600E to promote melanoma that reflects the pathology of the human disease. Remarkably, abrogating MITF activity in BRAFV600Emitf melanoma leads to dramatic tumor regression marked by melanophage infiltration and increased apoptosis. These studies are significant because they show that targeting MITF activity is a potent antitumor mechanism, but also show that caution is required because low levels of wild-type MITF activity are oncogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Lister
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
| | - Amy Capper
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zhiqiang Zeng
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marie E Mathers
- Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karthika Paranthaman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Jackson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK; University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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50
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Li Y, Li G, Wang H, Du J, Yan J. Analysis of a gene regulatory cascade mediating circadian rhythm in zebrafish. PLoS Comput Biol 2013; 9:e1002940. [PMID: 23468616 PMCID: PMC3585402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In the study of circadian rhythms, it has been a puzzle how a limited number of circadian clock genes can control diverse aspects of physiology. Here we investigate circadian gene expression genome-wide using larval zebrafish as a model system. We made use of a spatial gene expression atlas to investigate the expression of circadian genes in various tissues and cell types. Comparison of genome-wide circadian gene expression data between zebrafish and mouse revealed a nearly anti-phase relationship and allowed us to detect novel evolutionarily conserved circadian genes in vertebrates. We identified three groups of zebrafish genes with distinct responses to light entrainment: fast light-induced genes, slow light-induced genes, and dark-induced genes. Our computational analysis of the circadian gene regulatory network revealed several transcription factors (TFs) involved in diverse aspects of circadian physiology through transcriptional cascade. Of these, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor a (mitfa), a dark-induced TF, mediates a circadian rhythm of melanin synthesis, which may be involved in zebrafish's adaptation to daily light cycling. Our study describes a systematic method to discover previously unidentified TFs involved in circadian physiology in complex organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang Li
- CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifang Wang
- CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiulin Du
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Yan
- CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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