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Willsey HR, Seaby EG, Godwin A, Ennis S, Guille M, Grainger RM. Modelling human genetic disorders in Xenopus tropicalis. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050754. [PMID: 38832520 PMCID: PMC11179720 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in human disease genetics is leading to rapid advances in understanding pathobiological mechanisms. However, the sheer number of risk-conveying genetic variants being identified demands in vivo model systems that are amenable to functional analyses at scale. Here we provide a practical guide for using the diploid frog species Xenopus tropicalis to study many genes and variants to uncover conserved mechanisms of pathobiology relevant to human disease. We discuss key considerations in modelling human genetic disorders: genetic architecture, conservation, phenotyping strategy and rigour, as well as more complex topics, such as penetrance, expressivity, sex differences and current challenges in the field. As the patient-driven gene discovery field expands significantly, the cost-effective, rapid and higher throughput nature of Xenopus make it an essential member of the model organism armamentarium for understanding gene function in development and in relation to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94518, USA
| | - Eleanor G Seaby
- Genomic Informatics Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Annie Godwin
- European Xenopus Resource Centre (EXRC), School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Sarah Ennis
- Genomic Informatics Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre (EXRC), School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Robert M Grainger
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
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2
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Kaiyrzhanov R, Rad A, Lin SJ, Bertoli-Avella A, Kallemeijn WW, Godwin A, Zaki MS, Huang K, Lau T, Petree C, Efthymiou S, Karimiani EG, Hempel M, Normand EA, Rudnik-Schöneborn S, Schatz UA, Baggelaar MP, Ilyas M, Sultan T, Alvi JR, Ganieva M, Fowler B, Aanicai R, Tayfun GA, Al Saman A, Alswaid A, Amiri N, Asilova N, Shotelersuk V, Yeetong P, Azam M, Babaei M, Monajemi GB, Mohammadi P, Samie S, Banu SH, Pinto Basto J, Kortüm F, Bauer M, Bauer P, Beetz C, Garshasbi M, Issa AH, Eyaid W, Ahmed H, Hashemi N, Hassanpour K, Herman I, Ibrohimov S, Abdul-Majeed BA, Imdad M, Isrofilov M, Kaiyal Q, Khan S, Kirmse B, Koster J, Lourenço CM, Mitani T, Moldovan O, Murphy D, Najafi M, Pehlivan D, Rocha ME, Salpietro V, Schmidts M, Shalata A, Mahroum M, Talbeya JK, Taylor RW, Vazquez D, Vetro A, Waterham HR, Zaman M, Schrader TA, Chung WK, Guerrini R, Lupski JR, Gleeson J, Suri M, Jamshidi Y, Bhatia KP, Vona B, Schrader M, Severino M, Guille M, Tate EW, Varshney GK, Houlden H, Maroofian R. Bi-allelic ACBD6 variants lead to a neurodevelopmental syndrome with progressive and complex movement disorders. Brain 2024; 147:1436-1456. [PMID: 37951597 PMCID: PMC10994533 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The acyl-CoA-binding domain-containing protein 6 (ACBD6) is ubiquitously expressed, plays a role in the acylation of lipids and proteins and regulates the N-myristoylation of proteins via N-myristoyltransferase enzymes (NMTs). However, its precise function in cells is still unclear, as is the consequence of ACBD6 defects on human pathophysiology. Using exome sequencing and extensive international data sharing efforts, we identified 45 affected individuals from 28 unrelated families (consanguinity 93%) with bi-allelic pathogenic, predominantly loss-of-function (18/20) variants in ACBD6. We generated zebrafish and Xenopus tropicalis acbd6 knockouts by CRISPR/Cas9 and characterized the role of ACBD6 on protein N-myristoylation with myristic acid alkyne (YnMyr) chemical proteomics in the model organisms and human cells, with the latter also being subjected further to ACBD6 peroxisomal localization studies. The affected individuals (23 males and 22 females), aged 1-50 years, typically present with a complex and progressive disease involving moderate-to-severe global developmental delay/intellectual disability (100%) with significant expressive language impairment (98%), movement disorders (97%), facial dysmorphism (95%) and mild cerebellar ataxia (85%) associated with gait impairment (94%), limb spasticity/hypertonia (76%), oculomotor (71%) and behavioural abnormalities (65%), overweight (59%), microcephaly (39%) and epilepsy (33%). The most conspicuous and common movement disorder was dystonia (94%), frequently leading to early-onset progressive postural deformities (97%), limb dystonia (55%) and cervical dystonia (31%). A jerky tremor in the upper limbs (63%), a mild head tremor (59%), parkinsonism/hypokinesia developing with advancing age (32%) and simple motor and vocal tics were among other frequent movement disorders. Midline brain malformations including corpus callosum abnormalities (70%), hypoplasia/agenesis of the anterior commissure (66%), short midbrain and small inferior cerebellar vermis (38% each) as well as hypertrophy of the clava (24%) were common neuroimaging findings. Acbd6-deficient zebrafish and Xenopus models effectively recapitulated many clinical phenotypes reported in patients including movement disorders, progressive neuromotor impairment, seizures, microcephaly, craniofacial dysmorphism and midbrain defects accompanied by developmental delay with increased mortality over time. Unlike ACBD5, ACBD6 did not show a peroxisomal localization and ACBD6-deficiency was not associated with altered peroxisomal parameters in patient fibroblasts. Significant differences in YnMyr-labelling were observed for 68 co- and 18 post-translationally N-myristoylated proteins in patient-derived fibroblasts. N-myristoylation was similarly affected in acbd6-deficient zebrafish and X. tropicalis models, including Fus, Marcks and Chchd-related proteins implicated in neurological diseases. The present study provides evidence that bi-allelic pathogenic variants in ACBD6 lead to a distinct neurodevelopmental syndrome accompanied by complex and progressive cognitive and movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rauan Kaiyrzhanov
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Aboulfazl Rad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar 009851, Iran
- Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Eberhard Karls University, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sheng-Jia Lin
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | | | - Wouter W Kallemeijn
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutic Discovery Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Annie Godwin
- European Xenopus Resource Centre—XenMD, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, 12622 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kevin Huang
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Tracy Lau
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Cassidy Petree
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ehsan Ghayoor Karimiani
- Genetics Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
- Department of Medical Genetics, Next Generation Genetic Polyclinic, Mashhad 1696700, Iran
| | - Maja Hempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | | | | | - Ulrich A Schatz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Marc P Baggelaar
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics Group, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Department of BioEngineering, University of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 19130 Swat, Pakistan
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, 25000 Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Tipu Sultan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Institute of Child Health, Children Hospital, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
| | - Javeria Raza Alvi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Institute of Child Health, Children Hospital, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
| | - Manizha Ganieva
- Department of Neurology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Ben Fowler
- Imaging Core, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Ruxandra Aanicai
- Department of Medical Genetics, CENTOGENE GmbH, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Gulsen Akay Tayfun
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Marmara University Medical School, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulaziz Al Saman
- Pediatric Neurology Department, National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, 49046 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Alswaid
- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nafise Amiri
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Nilufar Asilova
- Department of Neurology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Vorasuk Shotelersuk
- Center of Excellence for Medical Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Patra Yeetong
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Matloob Azam
- Pediatrics and Child Neurology, Wah Medical College, 47000 Wah Cantt, Pakistan
| | - Meisam Babaei
- Department of Pediatrics, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd 94149-74877, Iran
| | | | - Pouria Mohammadi
- Children’s Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Ataxia Clinic, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Genetics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411944961, Iran
| | - Saeed Samie
- Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Selina Husna Banu
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Development, Dr. M.R. Khan Shishu (Children) Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Jorge Pinto Basto
- Department of Medical Genetics, CENTOGENE GmbH, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Fanny Kortüm
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mislen Bauer
- Division of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, Nicklas Children's Hospital, Miami, FL 33155, USA
| | - Peter Bauer
- Department of Medical Genetics, CENTOGENE GmbH, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Beetz
- Department of Medical Genetics, CENTOGENE GmbH, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Masoud Garshasbi
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Genetics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411944961, Iran
| | | | - Wafaa Eyaid
- Department of Genetics and Precision Medicine, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (NGHA), Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind Ahmed
- Department of Genetics and Precision Medicine, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (NGHA), Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Narges Hashemi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 13131–99137 Mashhad, Iran
| | - Kazem Hassanpour
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, 319 Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Isabella Herman
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 68010, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Rare Diseases, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68131, USA
| | - Sherozjon Ibrohimov
- Department of Neurology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Ban A Abdul-Majeed
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics, The Pioneer Molecular Pathology Lab, Baghdad 10044, Iraq
| | - Maria Imdad
- Centre for Human Genetics, Hazara University, 21300 Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Maksudjon Isrofilov
- Department of Neurology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Qassem Kaiyal
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Clalit Health Care, 2510500 Haifa, Israel
| | - Suliman Khan
- Department of Medical Genetics, CENTOGENE GmbH, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Brian Kirmse
- SOM-Peds-Genetics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson MS, 39216, USA
| | - Janet Koster
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers location AMC, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charles Marques Lourenço
- Faculdade de Medicina, Centro Universitario Estácio de Ribeirão Preto, 14096-160 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tadahiro Mitani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oana Moldovan
- Serviço de Genética Médica, Departamento de Pediatria, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David Murphy
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Maryam Najafi
- Pediatrics Genetics Division, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg University, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Genome Research Division, Human Genetics Department, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Davut Pehlivan
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 68010, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Miriam Schmidts
- Pediatrics Genetics Division, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg University, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Genome Research Division, Human Genetics Department, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adel Shalata
- Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, the Simon Winter Institute for Human Genetics, Bnai Zion Medical Center, 31048 Haifa, Israel
- Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, the Technion institution of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Mohammad Mahroum
- CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jawabreh Kassem Talbeya
- Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, the Simon Winter Institute for Human Genetics, Bnai Zion Medical Center, 31048 Haifa, Israel
- Department of Radiology, The Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa 31048, Israel
| | - Robert W Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK
| | - Dayana Vazquez
- Division of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, Nicklas Children's Hospital, Miami, FL 33155, USA
| | - Annalisa Vetro
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Hans R Waterham
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers location AMC, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mashaya Zaman
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Development, Dr. M.R. Khan Shishu (Children) Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Tina A Schrader
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Child Health Department, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92025, USA
| | - Mohnish Suri
- Clinical Genetics Service, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Yalda Jamshidi
- Genetics Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
- Human Genetics Centre of Excellence, Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Barbara Vona
- Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Eberhard Karls University, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and Inner Ear Lab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Schrader
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre—XenMD, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutic Discovery Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Gaurav K Varshney
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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Saumweber E, Mzoughi S, Khadra A, Werberger A, Schumann S, Guccione E, Schmeisser MJ, Kühl SJ. Prdm15 acts upstream of Wnt4 signaling in anterior neural development of Xenopus laevis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1316048. [PMID: 38444828 PMCID: PMC10912572 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1316048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PRDM15 lead to a syndromic form of holoprosencephaly (HPE) known as the Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GAMOS). While a connection between PRDM15, a zinc finger transcription factor, and WNT/PCP signaling has been established, there is a critical need to delve deeper into their contributions to early development and GAMOS pathogenesis. We used the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis as the vertebrate model organism and observed that prdm15 was enriched in the tissues and organs affected in GAMOS. Furthermore, we generated a morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated prdm15 knockdown model showing that the depletion of Prdm15 leads to abnormal eye, head, and brain development, effectively recapitulating the anterior neural features in GAMOS. An analysis of the underlying molecular basis revealed a reduced expression of key genes associated with eye, head, and brain development. Notably, this reduction could be rescued by the introduction of wnt4 RNA, particularly during the induction of the respective tissues. Mechanistically, our data demonstrate that Prdm15 acts upstream of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt4 signaling during anterior neural development. Our findings describe severe ocular and anterior neural abnormalities upon Prdm15 depletion and elucidate the role of Prdm15 in canonical and non-canonical Wnt4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernestine Saumweber
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Slim Mzoughi
- Center of OncoGenomics and Innovative Therapeutics (COGIT), Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New-York, NY, United States
| | - Arin Khadra
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anja Werberger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sven Schumann
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Center of OncoGenomics and Innovative Therapeutics (COGIT), Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New-York, NY, United States
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne J. Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Duncan MK, Daruich A, Valleix S, Bremond-Gignac D. Reduction of lens size in PAX6-related aniridia. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109746. [PMID: 38056551 PMCID: PMC10843565 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Heterozygous mutation of PAX6 in humans leads to congenital aniridia (OMIM 106210) which is typified by congenital iris and foveal defects, and later onset glaucoma, aniridic keratopathy, and cataract. Mice heterozygous for Pax6 mutations phenocopy many aspects of aniridia including the iris defects, keratopathy and cataract, although Pax6 mutant mice have small lenses, a phenotype which is not typically reported in human aniridia, perhaps due to difficulties in measuring lens diameter during typical ophthalmic examinations as the lens periphery is shielded by the iris. In order to overcome this, records of patients diagnosed with congenital aniridia between April 2015 and May 2021 at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, and genetically confirmed with a disease-causing PAX6 variant, were retrospectively reviewed for those with normal axial length whose iris defects allowed visualization of the lens margins and corneal diameter to allow calculation of a lens/corneal diameter ratio. This value was compared with values obtained from a cohort of patients with Sjödell grade IV oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1; OMIM 203100) which allowed visualization of the lens periphery via iris transillumination. This analysis revealed that patients with congenital aniridia had a significantly lower lens/corneal ratio when compared to those with albinism, suggesting that humans haploinsufficient for PAX6, like mice, rats, frogs, and zebrafish, exhibit reductions in lens size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda K Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA.
| | - Alejandra Daruich
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Valleix
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, APHP Centre, Paris, Université de Paris Cité, Fédération de Génétique et de Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fbg St-Jacques, 75679, Paris, Cedex 14, France
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
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Grainger RM, Lauderdale JD, Collins JL, Trout KL, McCullen Krantz S, Wolfe SS, Netland PA. Report on the 2021 Aniridia North America symposium on PAX6, aniridia, and beyond. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:423-431. [PMID: 37247841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The inaugural Aniridia North America (ANA) Symposium was held on the first weekend in November 2021 in Charlottesville, VA, at the University of Virginia. The purpose of this meeting was to bring together an international group of scientists, physicians, patient advocacy groups, and individuals with aniridia to discuss recent advances in knowledge about aniridia and other congenital eye diseases and the development of potential treatments for congenital eye disorders using personalized medicine. Leaders in several areas of eye research and clinical treatment provided a broad perspective on new research advances that impact an understanding of the causes of the damage to the eye associated with aniridia and the development of novel treatments for this and related disorders. Here we summarize the research discussed at the symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Grainger
- Aniridia North America, LaGrange, IL, 60525, USA; Department of Biology, 326 Gilmer Hall University of Virginia 485 McCormick Road P.O. Box 400328 Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Aniridia North America, LaGrange, IL, 60525, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter A Netland
- Aniridia North America, LaGrange, IL, 60525, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
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Pan Q, Lu K, Luo J, Jiang Y, Xia B, Chen L, Wang M, Dai R, Chen T. Japanese medaka Olpax6.1 mutant as a potential model for spondylo-ocular syndrome. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:168. [PMID: 37204625 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01090-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
pax6 is a canonic master gene for eye formation. Knockout of pax6 affects the development of craniofacial skeleton and eye in mice. Whether pax6 affects the development of spinal bone has not been reported yet. In the present study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate Olpax6.1 mutant in Japanese medaka. Phenotype analysis showed that ocular mutation caused by the Olpax6.1 mutation occurred in the homozygous mutant. The phenotype of heterozygotes is not significantly different from that of wild-type. In addition, knockout Olpax6.1 resulted in severe curvature of the spine in the homozygous F2 generation. Comparative transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that the defective Olpax6.1 protein caused a decrease in the expression level of sp7, col10a1a, and bglap, while the expression level of xylt2 did not change significantly. The functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database showed that the DEGs between Olpax6.1 mutation and wild-type were enriched in p53 signaling pathway, extracellular matrix (ECM) -receptor interaction, et al. Our results indicated that the defective Olpax6.1 protein results in the reduction of sp7 expression level and the activation of p53 signaling pathway, which leads to a decrease in the expression of genes encoding ECM protein, such as collagen protein family and bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein, which further inhibits bone development. Based on the phenotype and molecular mechanism of ocular mutation and spinal curvature induced by Olpax6.1 knockout, we believe that the Olpax6.1-/- mutant could be a potential model for the study of spondylo-ocular syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihua Pan
- Fisheries College of Jimei University, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, China
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Ke Lu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Junzhi Luo
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yuewen Jiang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Bilin Xia
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Fisheries College of Jimei University, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, China
| | - Mengyang Wang
- Fisheries College of Jimei University, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, China
| | - Ronggui Dai
- Fisheries College of Jimei University, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, China
| | - Tiansheng Chen
- Fisheries College of Jimei University, Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, China.
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
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7
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Pan Q, Luo J, Jiang Y, Wang Z, Lu K, Chen T. Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Olpax6.2 acquires maternal inheritance and germ cells expression, but was functionally degenerated in the eye. Gene 2023; 872:147439. [PMID: 37094695 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147439] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Gene duplication provides raw material for the evolution of genetic and phenotypic complexity. It has remained a long-standing mystery how duplicated genes evolve into new genes by neofunctionalization via the acquisition of new expression and/or activity and simultaneous loss of the old expression and activity. Fishes have many gene duplicates from whole genome duplication, making them excellent for studying the evolution of gene duplicates. In the fish medaka (Oryzias latipes), an ancestral pax6 gene has given rise to Olpax6.1 and Olpax6.2. Here we report that medaka Olpax6.2 is evolving towards neofunctionalization. A chromosomal syntenic analysis indicated that Olpax6.1 and Olpax6.2 are structurally co-homologous to the single pax6 in other organisms. Interestingly, Olpax6.2 maintains all conserved coding exons but loses the non-coding exons of Olpax6.1, and has 4 promoters versus 8 in Olpax6.1. RT-PCR revealed that Olpax6.2 maintained expression in the brain eye, pancreas as Olpax6.1. Surprisingly, Olpax6.2 also exhibited maternal inheritance and gonadal expression by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and RNA transcriptome analysis. The expression and distribution of Olpax6.2 is not different from Olpax6.1 in the adult brain, eye and pancreas, but exhibited overlapping and distinct expression in early embryogenesis. We show that ovarian Olpax6.2 expression occurs in female germ cells. Olpax6.2 knockout showed no obvious defect in eye development, while Olpax6.1 F0 mutant have severe defects in eye development. Thus, Olpax6.2 has acquired maternal inheritance and germ cell expression, but was functionally degenerated in the eye, making this gene as an excellent model to study the neofunctionalization of duplicated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihua Pan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries College, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Jimei University, Xiamen, China; College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junzhi Luo
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuewen Jiang
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ke Lu
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tiansheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries College, Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, Jimei University, Xiamen, China; College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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8
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Fogliano C, Motta CM, Venditti P, Fasciolo G, Napolitano G, Avallone B, Carotenuto R. Environmental concentrations of a delorazepam-based drug impact on embryonic development of non-target Xenopus laevis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 250:106244. [PMID: 35878487 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines, psychotropics drugs used for treating sleep disorders, anxiety and epilepsy, represent a major class of emerging water pollutants. As occurs for other pharmaceutical residues, they are not efficiently degraded during sewage treatment and persist in effluent waters. Bioaccumulation is already reported in fish and small crustaceans, but the impact and consequences on other "non-target" aquatic species are still unclear and nowadays of great interest. In this study, we investigated the effects of a pharmaceutical preparation containing the benzodiazepine delorazepam on the embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis, amphibian model species, taxa at high risk of exposure to water contaminants. Environmental (1 μg/L) and two higher (5 and 10 μg/L) concentrations were tested on tadpoles up to stage 45/46. Results demonstrate that delorazepam interferes with embryo development and that the effects are prevalently dose-dependent. Delorazepam reduces vitality by decreasing heart rate and motility, induces marked cephalic and abdominal edema, as well as intestinal and retinal defects. At the molecular level, delorazepam increases ROS production, modifies the expression of some master developmental genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The resulting stress condition significantly affects embryos' development and threatens their survival. Similar effects should be expected as well in embryos belonging to other aquatic species that have not been yet considered targets for these pharmaceutical residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fogliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paola Venditti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Fasciolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetana Napolitano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Bice Avallone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Rosa Carotenuto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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9
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Zahn N, James-Zorn C, Ponferrada VG, Adams DS, Grzymkowski J, Buchholz DR, Nascone-Yoder NM, Horb M, Moody SA, Vize PD, Zorn AM. Normal Table of Xenopus development: a new graphical resource. Development 2022; 149:dev200356. [PMID: 35833709 PMCID: PMC9445888 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Normal tables of development are essential for studies of embryogenesis, serving as an important resource for model organisms, including the frog Xenopus laevis. Xenopus has long been used to study developmental and cell biology, and is an increasingly important model for human birth defects and disease, genomics, proteomics and toxicology. Scientists utilize Nieuwkoop and Faber's classic 'Normal Table of Xenopus laevis (Daudin)' and accompanying illustrations to enable experimental reproducibility and reuse the illustrations in new publications and teaching. However, it is no longer possible to obtain permission for these copyrighted illustrations. We present 133 new, high-quality illustrations of X. laevis development from fertilization to metamorphosis, with additional views that were not available in the original collection. All the images are available on Xenbase, the Xenopus knowledgebase (http://www.xenbase.org/entry/zahn.do), for download and reuse under an attributable, non-commercial creative commons license. Additionally, we have compiled a 'Landmarks Table' of key morphological features and marker gene expression that can be used to distinguish stages quickly and reliably (https://www.xenbase.org/entry/landmarks-table.do). This new open-access resource will facilitate Xenopus research and teaching in the decades to come.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina James-Zorn
- Xenbase, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Virgilio G. Ponferrada
- Xenbase, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Dany S. Adams
- Lucell Diagnostics Inc, 16 Stearns Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Julia Grzymkowski
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Daniel R. Buchholz
- Department of Biology Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Nanette M. Nascone-Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Marko Horb
- National Xenopus Resource, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Sally A. Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Peter D. Vize
- Xenbase, Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Aaron M. Zorn
- Xenbase, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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10
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Schreiner C, Kernl B, Dietmann P, Riegger RJ, Kühl M, Kühl SJ. The Ribosomal Protein L5 Functions During Xenopus Anterior Development Through Apoptotic Pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:777121. [PMID: 35281111 PMCID: PMC8905602 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.777121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal biogenesis is a fundamental process necessary for cell growth and division. Ribosomal protein L5 (Rpl5) is part of the large ribosomal subunit. Mutations in this protein have been associated with the congenital disease Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA), a so called ribosomopathy. Despite of the ubiquitous need of ribosomes, clinical manifestations of DBA include tissue-specific symptoms, e.g., craniofacial malformations, eye abnormalities, skin pigmentation failure, cardiac defects or liver cirrhosis. Here, we made use of the vertebrate model organism Xenopus laevis and showed a specific expression of rpl5 in the developing anterior tissue correlating with tissues affected in ribosomopathies. Upon Rpl5 knockdown using an antisense-based morpholino oligonucleotide approach, we showed different phenotypes affecting anterior tissue, i.e., defective cranial cartilage, malformed eyes, and microcephaly. Hence, the observed phenotypes in Xenopus laevis resemble the clinical manifestations of DBA. Analyses of the underlying molecular basis revealed that the expression of several marker genes of neural crest, eye, and brain are decreased during induction and differentiation of the respective tissue. Furthermore, Rpl5 knockdown led to decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis during early embryogenesis. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Rpl5 function revealed a more than additive effect between either loss of function of Rpl5 and loss of function of c-Myc or loss of function of Rpl5 and gain of function of Tp53, suggesting a common signaling pathway of these proteins. The co-injection of the apoptosis blocking molecule Bcl2 resulted in a partial rescue of the eye phenotype, supporting the hypothesis that apoptosis is one main reason for the phenotypes occurring upon Rpl5 knockdown. With this study, we are able to shed more light on the still poorly understood molecular background of ribosomopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Schreiner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Bianka Kernl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Dietmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ricarda J Riegger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Susanne J Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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11
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Magan T, Tanner A, Fajardo-Sanchez J, Lim KS, Goyal S, Rodrigues I, Amaya L, Trikha S, Kulkarni A, Hammond C, Lascaratos G, Yu-Wai-Man C. Long-term outcomes in Primary congenital glaucoma, aniridia and anterior segment dysgenesis. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022; 32:2920-2927. [PMID: 35001688 PMCID: PMC9373187 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211073208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aim To determine the long-term outcomes of a cohort of complex patients with
primary congenital glaucoma, aniridia and anterior segment dysgenesis. Methods Retrospective consecutive series between 1990–2021 in two UK tertiary
centres: Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King's College
Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. We recorded the number and types of surgical
and laser treatments along with preoperative and postoperative data,
including intraocular pressures (IOP) and anti-glaucoma medications. Results A total of 41 eyes of 21 patients were included. Primary diagnoses were
primary congenital glaucoma in 16 eyes (39.0%), aniridia in 14 eyes (34.2%),
and anterior segment dysgenesis in 8 eyes (19.5%). Sixteen eyes (39.0%) had
one or more glaucoma surgery or laser procedures for advanced glaucoma, and
the long-term follow-up was 12.8 ± 3.6 years. There was a significant
decrease in postoperative IOP (mmHg) at 3 months (16.5 ± 1.6;
p = 0.0067), 6 months (18.7 ± 2.1;
p = 0.0386), 12 months (18.6 ± 1.7;
p = 0.0229), 3 years (14.7 ± 1.2;
p = 0.0126), 5 years (15.5 ± 1.8;
p = 0.0330) and 10 years (15.4 ± 2.3;
p = 0.7780), compared to preoperatively (24.1 ± 2.6).
Surgical success (complete and qualified) was 62.5%, 50.0%, 43.8%, 46.2%,
45.5% and 28.6% at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 3 years, 5 years and 10
years, respectively. There was no significant change in the number of
anti-glaucoma drugs postoperatively (p > 0.05). Four
eyes (25.0%) had postoperative complications (hyphaema, hypotony) that
resolved after conservative management. Conclusions Surgical management of these complex eyes with advanced glaucoma is
challenging. Overall, the cohort had good surgical outcomes with a
significant decrease in IOP by 36.1% after long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejal Magan
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111990King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alexander Tanner
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Julia Fajardo-Sanchez
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kin Sheng Lim
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Saurabh Goyal
- Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ian Rodrigues
- Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Luis Amaya
- Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sameer Trikha
- Department of Ophthalmology, 111990King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Avinash Kulkarni
- Department of Ophthalmology, 111990King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Christopher Hammond
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gerassimos Lascaratos
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111990King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Cynthia Yu-Wai-Man
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, 111990King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, 111988St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
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12
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Shiraki N, Maruyama K, Hayashi R, Oguchi A, Murakawa Y, Katayama T, Takigawa T, Sakimoto S, Quantock AJ, Tsujikawa M, Nishida K. PAX6-positive microglia evolve locally in hiPSC-derived ocular organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 17:221-230. [PMID: 35030319 PMCID: PMC8828554 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They govern the immunogenicity of the retina, which is considered to be part of the CNS; however, it is not known how microglia develop in the eye. Here, we studied human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that had been expanded into a self-formed ectodermal autonomous multi-zone (SEAM) of cells that partially mimics human eye development. Our results indicated that microglia-like cells, which have characteristics of yolk-sac-like linage cells, naturally develop in 2D eye-like SEAM organoids, which lack any vascular components. These cells are unique in that they are paired box protein 6 (PAX6)-positive, yet they possess some characteristics of mesoderm. Collectively, the data support the notion of the existence of an isolated, locally developing immune system in the eye, which is independent of the body’s vasculature and general immune system. Eye-like organoids from hiPSCs contained immune cells similar to microglia cells RNA-sequencing shows they have specific characteristic of microglia Single-cell analyses indicate they resemble yol-sac-derived myeloid progenitors These cells are unique in that they are PAX6- (eye master gene) positive immune cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Shiraki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuichi Maruyama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Department of Vision Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Ryuhei Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Department of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akiko Oguchi
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Medical Systems Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Katayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Takigawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Susumu Sakimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Andrew J Quantock
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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13
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Watabe M, Hiraiwa A, Sakai M, Ueno T, Ueno S, Nakajima K, Yaoita Y, Iwao Y. Sperm MMP-2 is indispensable for fast electrical block to polyspermy at fertilization in Xenopus tropicalis. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:744-757. [PMID: 34618381 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sperm matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is necessary for frog fertilization. Monospermy is ensured by a fast, electrical block to polyspermy mediated by a positive fertilization potential. To determine the role of the MMP-2 hemopexin domain (HPX) in a fast block to polyspermy during fertilization of the frog, Xenopus tropicalis, we prepared mutant frogs deficient in mmp2 gene using the transcription activator-like effector nuclease method. mmp2 ΔHPX (-/-) sperm without MMP-2 protein were able to fertilize wild-type (WT; +/+) eggs. However, polyspermy occurred in some eggs. The mutant sperm generated a normal fertilization potential amounting to 10 mV, and were able to fertilize eggs at 10 mV, at which WT sperm never fertilized. Sensitivity during voltage-dependent fertilization decreased in mutant sperm. This study demonstrates for the first time that the genetic alteration of the MMP-2 molecule in sperm causes polyspermy during fertilization of a monospermic species. Our findings provide reliable evidence that sperm MMP-2 is indispensable for the fast, electrical block to polyspermy during Xenopus fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Watabe
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Azusa Hiraiwa
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Mami Sakai
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Ueno
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shuichi Ueno
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nakajima
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yaoita
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Iwao
- Laboratory of Reproductive Developmental Biology and Developmental Cell Biology, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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14
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Blitz IL, Nakayama T. CRISPR-Cas9 Mutagenesis in Xenopus tropicalis for Phenotypic Analyses in the F 0 Generation and Beyond. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2021; 2022:pdb.prot106971. [PMID: 34244352 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot106971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis is being widely used to create targeted loss-of-function mutations in the diploid frog Xenopus tropicalis Here we describe a simple mutagenesis protocol using microinjection of Cas9 protein or mRNA, together with synthetic guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting specific DNA sequences, into the early embryo. Cas9-catalyzed double-strand breaks undergo error-prone repair, resulting in production of short insertions and/or deletions. Thus, careful selection of target sites can lead to mutations that impair normal function of the protein product. CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to create either mosaic loss-of-function Xenopus embryos that display F0 generation phenotypes or mutant lines for downstream analysis. In addition to describing how to mutagenize genes using CRISPR-Cas9, we also discuss a simple method to determine the mutagenesis efficiency, some potential problems that can arise, and possible solutions to overcome them. The protocol described here should be applicable to other amphibians and, in principle, many other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Takuya Nakayama
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
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15
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Nakajima K, Shimamura M, Furuno N. Generation of no-yellow-pigment Xenopus tropicalis by slc2a7 gene knockout. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1420-1431. [PMID: 33760303 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amphibians possess three kinds of dermal chromatophore: melanophores, iridophores, and xanthophores. Knockout Xenopus tropicalis that lack the pigmentation of melanophores and iridophores have been reported. The identification of the causal genes for xanthophore pigmentation or differentiation could lead to the creation of a see-through frog without three chromatophores. The genes causing xanthophore differentiation mutants are slc2a11b and slc2a15b in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). RESULTS To obtain a heritable line of X tropicalis mutants without yellow pigment, we generated slc2a7 and slc2a15a knockout animals because they have the greatest similarity to the O latipes slc2a11b and slc2a15b genes. The slc2a7 knockout frog had a bluish skin and there were no visible yellow pigments in stereo microscope and skin section observations. Furthermore, no pterinosomes, which are characteristic of xanthophores, were observed via transmission electron microscopy in the skin of knockout animals. CONCLUSIONS We report the successful generation of a heritable no-yellow-pigment X tropicalis mutant after knock out of the slc2a7 gene. This finding will enable the creation of a see-through frog with no chromatophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Nakajima
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Masaki Shimamura
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Furuno
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
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16
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Abstract
The endoderm is the innermost germ layer that forms the linings of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and their associated organs, during embryonic development. Xenopus embryology experiments have provided fundamental insights into how the endoderm develops in vertebrates, including the critical role of TGFβ-signaling in endoderm induction,elucidating the gene regulatory networks controlling germ layer development and the key molecular mechanisms regulating endoderm patterning and morphogenesis. With new genetic, genomic, and imaging approaches, Xenopus is now routinely used to model human disease, discover mechanisms underlying endoderm organogenesis, and inform differentiation protocols for pluripotent stem cell differentiation and regenerative medicine applications. In this chapter, we review historical and current discoveries of endoderm development in Xenopus, then provide examples of modeling human disease and congenital defects of endoderm-derived organs using Xenopus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Edwards
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
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17
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Adil MT, Henry JJ. Understanding cornea epithelial stem cells and stem cell deficiency: Lessons learned using vertebrate model systems. Genesis 2021; 59:e23411. [PMID: 33576188 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have contributed greatly to our understanding of human diseases. Here, we focus on cornea epithelial stem cell (CESC) deficiency (commonly called limbal stem cell deficiency, LSCD). Corneal development, homeostasis and wound healing are supported by specific stem cells, that include the CESCs. Damage to or loss of these cells results in blindness and other debilitating ocular conditions. Here we describe the contributions from several vertebrate models toward understanding CESCs and LSCD treatments. These include both mammalian models, as well as two aquatic models, Zebrafish and the amphibian, Xenopus. Pioneering developments have been made using stem cell transplants to restore normal vision in patients with LSCD, but questions still remain about the basic biology of CESCs, including their precise cell lineages and behavior in the cornea. We describe various cell lineage tracing studies to follow their patterns of division, and the fates of their progeny during development, homeostasis, and wound healing. In addition, we present some preliminary results using the Xenopus model system. Ultimately, a more thorough understanding of these cornea cells will advance our knowledge of stem cell biology and lead to better cornea disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Tayyab Adil
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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18
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Exner CRT, Willsey HR. Xenopus leads the way: Frogs as a pioneering model to understand the human brain. Genesis 2021; 59:e23405. [PMID: 33369095 PMCID: PMC8130472 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
From its long history in the field of embryology to its recent advances in genetics, Xenopus has been an indispensable model for understanding the human brain. Foundational studies that gave us our first insights into major embryonic patterning events serve as a crucial backdrop for newer avenues of investigation into organogenesis and organ function. The vast array of tools available in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis allows interrogation of developmental phenomena at all levels, from the molecular to the behavioral, and the application of CRISPR technology has enabled the investigation of human disorder risk genes in a higher-throughput manner. As the only major tetrapod model in which all developmental stages are easily manipulated and observed, frogs provide the unique opportunity to study organ development from the earliest stages. All of these features make Xenopus a premier model for studying the development of the brain, a notoriously complex process that demands an understanding of all stages from fertilization to organogenesis and beyond. Importantly, core processes of brain development are conserved between Xenopus and human, underlining the advantages of this model. This review begins by summarizing discoveries made in amphibians that form the cornerstones of vertebrate neurodevelopmental biology and goes on to discuss recent advances that have catapulted our understanding of brain development in Xenopus and in relation to human development and disease. As we engage in a new era of patient-driven gene discovery, Xenopus offers exceptional potential to uncover conserved biology underlying human brain disorders and move towards rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R T Exner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA
| | - Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143, USA
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19
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Harding P, Cunha DL, Moosajee M. Animal and cellular models of microphthalmia. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RARE DISEASE 2021; 2:2633004021997447. [PMID: 37181112 PMCID: PMC10032472 DOI: 10.1177/2633004021997447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Microphthalmia is a rare developmental eye disorder affecting 1 in 7000 births. It is defined as a small (axial length ⩾2 standard deviations below the age-adjusted mean) underdeveloped eye, caused by disruption of ocular development through genetic or environmental factors in the first trimester of pregnancy. Clinical phenotypic heterogeneity exists amongst patients with varying levels of severity, and associated ocular and systemic features. Up to 11% of blind children are reported to have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By identifying the aetiology of microphthalmia and understanding how the mechanisms of eye development are disrupted, we can gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis. Animal models, mainly mouse, zebrafish and Xenopus, have provided extensive information on the genetic regulation of oculogenesis, and how perturbation of these pathways leads to microphthalmia. However, differences exist between species, hence cellular models, such as patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) optic vesicles, are now being used to provide greater insights into the human disease process. Progress in 3D cellular modelling techniques has enhanced the ability of researchers to study interactions of different cell types during eye development. Through improved molecular knowledge of microphthalmia, preventative or postnatal therapies may be developed, together with establishing genotype-phenotype correlations in order to provide patients with the appropriate prognosis, multidisciplinary care and informed genetic counselling. This review summarises some key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future. Plain language summary Animal and Cellular Models of the Eye Disorder, Microphthalmia (Small Eye) Microphthalmia, meaning a small, underdeveloped eye, is a rare disorder that children are born with. Genetic changes or variations in the environment during the first 3 months of pregnancy can disrupt early development of the eye, resulting in microphthalmia. Up to 11% of blind children have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By understanding the genes necessary for eye development, we can determine how disruption by genetic changes or environmental factors can cause this condition. This helps us understand why microphthalmia occurs, and ensure patients are provided with the appropriate clinical care and genetic counselling advice. Additionally, by understanding the causes of microphthalmia, researchers can develop treatments to prevent or reduce the severity of this condition. Animal models, particularly mice, zebrafish and frogs, which can also develop small eyes due to the same genetic/environmental changes, have helped us understand the genes which are important for eye development and can cause birth eye defects when disrupted. Studying a patient's own cells grown in the laboratory can further help researchers understand how changes in genes affect their function. Both animal and cellular models can be used to develop and test new drugs, which could provide treatment options for patients living with microphthalmia. This review summarises the key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath
Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS
Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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20
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Grocott T, Lozano-Velasco E, Mok GF, Münsterberg AE. The Pax6 master control gene initiates spontaneous retinal development via a self-organising Turing network. Development 2020; 147:dev185827. [PMID: 33214222 PMCID: PMC7774904 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how complex organ systems are assembled from simple embryonic tissues is a major challenge. Across the animal kingdom a great diversity of visual organs are initiated by a 'master control gene' called Pax6, which is both necessary and sufficient for eye development. Yet precisely how Pax6 achieves this deeply homologous function is poorly understood. Using the chick as a model organism, we show that vertebrate Pax6 interacts with a pair of morphogen-coding genes, Tgfb2 and Fst, to form a putative Turing network, which we have computationally modelled. Computer simulations suggest that this gene network is sufficient to spontaneously polarise the developing retina, establishing the first organisational axis of the eye and prefiguring its further development. Our findings reveal how retinal self-organisation may be initiated independently of the highly ordered tissue interactions that help to assemble the eye in vivo These results help to explain how stem cell aggregates spontaneously self-organise into functional eye-cups in vitro We anticipate these findings will help to underpin retinal organoid technology, which holds much promise as a platform for disease modelling, drug development and regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Grocott
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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21
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Louie SH, Fisher M, Grainger RM. Elucidating the framework for specification and determination of the embryonic retina. Exp Cell Res 2020; 397:112316. [PMID: 33031807 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
How cell determination is regulated remains a major unsolved problem in developmental biology. The early embryonic rudiments of many tissues and organs are difficult or impossible to identify, isolate and study at the time when determination occurs. We have examined the commitment process leading to retina formation in Xenopus laevis, where presumptive eye tissue can be identified and studied to assay its biological properties during the events leading up to determination. We find that for the retina, specification, the point at which a tissue placed in neutral culture medium can first properly differentiate, occurs during mid-gastrulation. By late gastrulation, determination, the final, irreversible step in commitment, has occurred. At this stage, the presumptive retina will differentiate and cannot be reprogrammed even if exposed to other active inducers, e.g. when challenged by transplantation to ectopic sites in the embryo. Key eye regulatory genes are initially expressed in the retinal field during specification and/or determination (e.g. rax, pax6, lhx2, and fzd5) potentially linking them, or genes that regulate them, to these processes. This study provides essential groundwork for defining the mechanisms for how these important developmental transitions occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Louie
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Marilyn Fisher
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Robert M Grainger
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
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22
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Morphometric analysis of the lens in human aniridia and mouse Small eye. Exp Eye Res 2020; 203:108371. [PMID: 33248069 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108371] [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: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Congenital aniridia is caused by heterozygous mutations in the PAX6 gene. In this disease, congenital iris and foveal hypoplasia is associated with juvenile onset cataract, glaucoma, and corneal keratopathy. In rodents, Pax6 mutations result in a congenital reduction in ocular size that is not typically described in human aniridia. Here, the ocular morphometry of aniridia patients is compared with the lens phenotype of Pax6+/tm1/Pgr mice to reveal whether there are species differences in Pax6 regulation of lens development and homeostasis. Ultrasound biometry (UBM) revealed that eleven percent of aniridia patients exhibited mild microphthalmia while the anterior chamber depth of aniridic eyes was significantly reduced from 6 months of age onward. Although aniridic lens thickness was normal from birth, it was significantly decreased in aniridic lenses older than 30. Notably, 86% of aniridic lenses exhibited cataractous changes in this cohort. In addition, a significant proportion of aniridia patients develop lens subluxation as they age associated with reduced lens diameter as measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Analysis of young adult Pax6+/tm1/Pgr mouse lenses by micro-computed tomography (microCT), bright field and dark field imaging revealed that they are reduced in size but did not exhibit overt cataracts at this age. Overall, this study reveals that congenital microphthalmia as assessed by axial length, or microphakia, as assessed by lens thickness, are not typical in human aniridia, although these are primary manifestations of Pax6 mutations in mice, suggesting that PAX6 regulates some aspects of lens development differently between these species.
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23
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Viet J, Reboutier D, Hardy S, Lachke SA, Paillard L, Gautier-Courteille C. Modeling ocular lens disease in Xenopus. Dev Dyn 2020; 249:610-621. [PMID: 31872467 PMCID: PMC7759097 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular lens clouding is termed as cataract, which depending on the onset, is classified as congenital or age-related. Developing new cataract treatments requires new models. Thus far, Xenopus embryos have not been evaluated as a system for studying cataract. RESULTS We characterized the developmental process of lens formation in Xenopus laevis tailbuds and tadpoles, and we disrupted the orthologues of three mammalian cataract-linked genes in F0 by CRISPR/Cas9. We assessed the consequences of gene inactivation by combining external examination with histochemical analyses and functional vision assays. Inactivating the key metazoan eye development transcription factor gene pax6 produces a strong eye phenotype including an absence of eye tissue. Inactivating the genes for gap-junction protein and a nuclease, gja8 and dnase2b, produces lens defects that share several features of human cataracts, including impaired vision acuity, nuclei retention in lens fiber cells, and actin fibers disorganization. We tested the potential improvement of the visual acuity of gja8 crispant tadpoles upon treatment with the molecular chaperone 4-phenylbutyrate. CONCLUSION Xenopus is a valuable model organism to understand the molecular pathology of congenital eye defects, including cataracts, and to screen molecules with a potential to prevent or reverse cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Viet
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR-UMR 6290, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | | | - Serge Hardy
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR-UMR 6290, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Salil A. Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Luc Paillard
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR-UMR 6290, F-35000 Rennes, France
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24
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Markitantova Y, Simirskii V. Inherited Eye Diseases with Retinal Manifestations through the Eyes of Homeobox Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1602. [PMID: 32111086 PMCID: PMC7084737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal development is under the coordinated control of overlapping networks of signaling pathways and transcription factors. The paper was conceived as a review of the data and ideas that have been formed to date on homeobox genes mutations that lead to the disruption of eye organogenesis and result in inherited eye/retinal diseases. Many of these diseases are part of the same clinical spectrum and have high genetic heterogeneity with already identified associated genes. We summarize the known key regulators of eye development, with a focus on the homeobox genes associated with monogenic eye diseases showing retinal manifestations. Recent advances in the field of genetics and high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies, including single-cell transcriptome analysis have allowed for deepening of knowledge of the genetic basis of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), as well as improve their diagnostics. We highlight some promising avenues of research involving molecular-genetic and cell-technology approaches that can be effective for IRDs therapy. The most promising neuroprotective strategies are aimed at mobilizing the endogenous cellular reserve of the retina.
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25
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Lampreys, the jawless vertebrates, contain three Pax6 genes with distinct expression in eye, brain and pancreas. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19559. [PMID: 31863055 PMCID: PMC6925180 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Pax6 is crucial for the development of the central nervous system, eye, olfactory system and pancreas, and is implicated in human disease. While a single Pax6 gene exists in human and chicken, Pax6 occurs as a gene family in other vertebrates, with two members in elephant shark, Xenopus tropicalis and Anolis lizard and three members in teleost fish such as stickleback and medaka. However, the complement of Pax6 genes in jawless vertebrates (cyclostomes), the sister group of jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), is unknown. Using a combination of BAC sequencing and genome analysis, we discovered three Pax6 genes in lampreys. Unlike the paired-less Pax6 present in some gnathostomes, all three lamprey Pax6 have a highly conserved full-length paired domain. All three Pax6 genes are expressed in the eye and brain, with variable expression in other tissues. Notably, lamprey Pax6α transcripts are found in the pancreas, a vertebrate-specific organ, indicating the involvement of Pax6 in development of the pancreas in the vertebrate ancestor. Multi-species sequence comparisons revealed only a single conserved non-coding element, in the lamprey Pax6β locus, with similarity to the PAX6 neuroretina enhancer. Using a transgenic zebrafish enhancer assay we demonstrate functional conservation of this element over 500 million years of vertebrate evolution.
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26
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Klann M, Seaver EC. Functional role of pax6 during eye and nervous system development in the annelid Capitella teleta. Dev Biol 2019; 456:86-103. [PMID: 31445008 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Pax6 is an important regulator of early animal development. Loss of function mutations of pax6 in a range of animals result in a reduction or complete loss of the eye, a reduction of a subset of neurons, and defects in axon growth. There are no studies focusing on the role of pax6 during development of any lophotrochozoan representative, however, expression of pax6 in the developing eye and nervous system in a number of species suggest that pax6 plays a highly conserved role in eye and nervous system formation. We investigated the functional role of pax6 during development of the marine annelid Capitella teleta. Expression of pax6 transcripts in C. teleta larvae is similar to patterns found in other animals, with distinct subdomains in the brain and ventral nerve cord as well as in the larval and juvenile eye. To perturb pax6 function, two different splice-blocking morpholinos and a translation-blocking morpholino were used. Larvae resulting from microinjections with either splice-blocking morpholino show a reduction of the pax6 transcript. Development of both the larval eyes and the central nervous system architecture are highly disrupted following microinjection of each of the three morpholinos. The less severe phenotype observed when only the homeodomain is disrupted suggests that presence of the paired domain is sufficient for partial function of the Pax6 protein. Preliminary downstream target analysis confirms disruption in expression of some components of the retinal gene regulatory network, as well as disruption of genes involved in nervous system development. Results from this study, taken together with studies from other species, reveal an evolutionarily conserved role for pax6 in eye and neural specification and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Klann
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, Fl, 32080, USA
| | - Elaine C Seaver
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, Fl, 32080, USA.
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27
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Bajwa A, Burstein E, Grainger RM, Netland PA. Anterior chamber angle in aniridia with and without glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol 2019; 13:1469-1473. [PMID: 31496636 PMCID: PMC6689658 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s217930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We performed a retrospective, comparative study to determine if patients with aniridia and glaucoma had open angles on high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical gonioscopy. Patients and methods Forty-three patients (86 eyes) with aniridia had recorded anterior segment OCTs, gonioscopy, or both. Of these patients, 27 (54 eyes) were diagnosed with glaucoma and 16 (32 eyes) had no evidence of glaucoma. All patients had either anterior segment OCT, gonioscopy, or both. Results The 43 patients with aniridia had average age of 32±17 years, and 27 (62%) were female. Anterior segment OCT and gonioscopy were recorded in 25 (58%) of the patients and 18 (42%) of the patients had gonioscopy alone. Of the 54 eyes with aniridia and glaucoma, 4 (7%) eyes in 3 patients (11%) had partial or completely closed angles. Of the 32 eyes without glaucoma, all (100%) had open angles. The proportion of open angles in the aniridia with glaucoma eyes was not significantly different compared with the aniridia without glaucoma eyes (P=0.32). Of the 4 eyes with closed angles, all had a history of prior surgery for cataract, glaucoma, and/or keratopathy. The proportion of eyes with prior surgery was significantly higher in eyes with open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma compared with eyes without glaucoma (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Conclusion The majority of eyes with aniridia and glaucoma have open anterior chamber angles, similar to patients with aniridia without glaucoma. All eyes with aniridia and glaucoma that had closed angles had a prior history of ocular surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asima Bajwa
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Eitan Burstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Robert M Grainger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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28
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Li Q, Qin Z, Wang Q, Xu T, Yang Y, He Z. Applications of Genome Editing Technology in Animal Disease Modeling and Gene Therapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:689-698. [PMID: 31303973 PMCID: PMC6603303 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing technology is a technique for targeted genetic modifications, enabling the knockout and addition of specific DNA fragments. This technology has been widely used in various types of biomedical research, clinics and agriculture. In terms of disease research, constructing appropriate animal models is necessary. Combining reproductive technology with genome editing, many animal disease models have been generated for basic and clinical research. In addition, precisely targeted modifications allow genome editing to flourish in the field of gene therapy. Many mutations refractory to traditional gene therapy could be permanently corrected at the DNA level. Thus, genome editing is undoubtedly a promising technology for gene therapy. In this review, we mainly introduce the applications of genome editing in constructing animal disease models and gene therapies, as well as its future prospects and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhou Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qingnan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhiyao He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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Kha CX, Guerin DJ, Tseng KAS. Using the Xenopus Developmental Eye Regrowth System to Distinguish the Role of Developmental Versus Regenerative Mechanisms. Front Physiol 2019; 10:502. [PMID: 31139088 PMCID: PMC6518849 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A longstanding challenge in regeneration biology is to understand the role of developmental mechanisms in restoring lost or damaged tissues and organs. As these body structures were built during embryogenesis, it is not surprising that a number of developmental mechanisms are also active during regeneration. However, it remains unclear whether developmental mechanisms act similarly or differently during regeneration as compared to development. Since regeneration is studied in the context of mature, differentiated tissues, it is difficult to evaluate comparative studies with developmental processes due to the latter's highly proliferative environment. We have taken a more direct approach to study regeneration in a developmental context (regrowth). Xenopus laevis, the African clawed frog, is a well-established model for both embryology and regeneration studies, especially for the eye. Xenopus eye development is well-defined. Xenopus is also an established model for retinal and lens regeneration studies. Previously, we demonstrated that Xenopus tailbud embryo can successfully regrow a functional eye that is morphologically indistinguishable from an age-matched control eye. In this study, we assessed the temporal regulation of retinal differentiation and patterning restoration during eye regrowth. Our findings showed that during regrowth, cellular patterning and retinal layer formation was delayed by approximately 1 day but was restored by 3 days when compared to eye development. An assessment of the differentiation of ganglion cells, photoreceptor cells, and Müller glia indicated that the retinal birth order generated during regrowth was consistent with that observed for eye development. Thus, retina differentiation and patterning during regrowth is similar to endogenous eye development. We used this eye regrowth model to assess the role of known mechanisms in development versus regrowth. Loss-of-function studies showed that Pax6 was required for both eye development and regrowth whereas apoptosis was only required for regrowth. Together, these results revealed that the mechanisms required for both development and regrowth can be distinguished from regrowth-specific ones. Our study highlights this developmental model of eye regrowth as a robust platform to systematically and efficiently define the molecular mechanisms that are required for regeneration versus development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy X Kha
- School of Life Sciences and Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Dylan J Guerin
- School of Life Sciences and Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Kelly Ai-Sun Tseng
- School of Life Sciences and Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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Brandt JP, Rossillo M, Du Z, Ichikawa D, Barnes K, Chen A, Noyes M, Bao Z, Ringstad N. Lineage context switches the function of a C. elegans Pax6 homolog in determining a neuronal fate. Development 2019; 146:dev168153. [PMID: 30890567 PMCID: PMC6503985 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The sensory nervous system of C. elegans comprises cells with varied molecular and functional characteristics, and is, therefore, a powerful model for understanding mechanisms that generate neuronal diversity. We report here that VAB-3, a C. elegans homolog of the homeodomain-containing protein Pax6, has opposing functions in regulating expression of a specific chemosensory fate. A homeodomain-only short isoform of VAB-3 is expressed in BAG chemosensory neurons, where it promotes gene expression and cell function. In other cells, a long isoform of VAB-3, comprising a Paired homology domain and a homeodomain, represses expression of ETS-5, a transcription factor required for expression of BAG fate. Repression of ets-5 requires the Eyes Absent homolog EYA-1 and the Six-class homeodomain protein CEH-32. We determined sequences that mediate high-affinity binding of ETS-5, VAB-3 and CEH-32. The ets-5 locus is enriched for ETS-5-binding sites but lacks sequences that bind VAB-3 and CEH-32, suggesting that these factors do not directly repress ets-5 expression. We propose that a promoter-selection system together with lineage-specific expression of accessory factors allows VAB-3/Pax6 to either promote or repress expression of specific cell fates in a context-dependent manner. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Brandt
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mary Rossillo
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Zhuo Du
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Ichikawa
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kristopher Barnes
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Allison Chen
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Marcus Noyes
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Zhirong Bao
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Niels Ringstad
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, and Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Gonadal, Not Maternal, Acquisition of Duplicated pax6 Orthologs in Megalobrama Amblycephala. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071710. [PMID: 30959850 PMCID: PMC6480603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
: The highly conserved transcription factor Pax6 is involved in the development of the eyes, brain, and pancreas in vertebrates and invertebrates, whereas the additional expression pattern in other organs is still elusive. In this study, we cloned and characterized two pax6 homologs in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), named Mapax6a and Mapax6b. The protein alignment and phylogenetic tree showed that Mapax6a and Mapax6b were highly conserved compared with their counterparts in other species. Genomic information analysis revealed that the synteny conservation of Wilms tumor, Aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation loci was also maintained in this species. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression of Mapax6a was later than that of Mapax6b which was found in the blastula stage, while the expression of Mapax6a started from the somite stage, and both of them persisted in a subsequent stage during the embryonic development. By RNA and protein detection, Mapax6a and Mapax6b were detected in the eye and brain as canonic patterns, and most importantly, they were also enriched in germ cells of the testis and ovary. Therefore, our findings validate the duplication of pax6 in fish, confirm the classical expression patterns in the brain and eye, and, for the first time, present a new acquisition of Mapax6a and Mapax6b in gonadal germ cells in particular. Therefore, our results enrich the expression pattern and evolutionary relationship of pax6 by suggesting that duplicated Mapax6 is involved in gametogenesis in Megalobrama amblycephala.
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Qiu JJ, Zhang Q, Geng ZX, Liu M, Zhong ZL, Chen JJ, Liu F. Identification of a novel PAX6 mutation in a Chinese family with aniridia. BMC Ophthalmol 2019; 19:10. [PMID: 30621664 PMCID: PMC6325832 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-018-1009-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to investigate the clinical characterization and causative genetic defect of a four-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant aniridia. Methods The recruited family members underwent comprehensive routine and ophthalmic examinations, and Sanger sequencing was performed to screen the mutation in PAX6. Results A novel heterozygous PAX6 deletion c.435_445delTAGCGAAAAGC (p.Ser146ThrfsX9) in exon 7 was identified in all affected individuals, but this was absent in any of the unaffected family members and in the 200 unrelated controls. Conclusion A novel deletion in the PAX6 gene was identified in a Chinese family associated with aniridia, which expands the spectrum of the PAX6 mutation and its associated phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1 Minde Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1 Minde Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Zi-Xin Geng
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Department of Medical Genetics Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Department of Medical Genetics Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zi-Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Department of Medical Genetics Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jian-Jun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Department of Medical Genetics Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1 Minde Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Morrow S, Gosálvez J, López-Fernández C, Arroyo F, Holt WV, Guille MJ. Effects of freezing and activation on membrane quality and DNA damage in Xenopus tropicalis and Xenopus laevis spermatozoa. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:1556-1566. [PMID: 27692061 DOI: 10.1071/rd16190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing concern over the effect of sperm cryopreservation on DNA integrity and the subsequent development of offspring generated from this cryopreserved material. In the present study, membrane integrity and DNA stability of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis spermatozoa were evaluated in response to cryopreservation with or without activation, a process that happens upon exposure to water to spermatozoa of some aquatic species. A dye exclusion assay revealed that sperm plasma membrane integrity in both species decreased after freezing, more so for X. laevis than X. tropicalis spermatozoa. The sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test showed that for both X. tropicalis and X. laevis, activated frozen spermatozoa produced the highest levels of DNA fragmentation compared with all fresh samples and frozen non-activated samples (P<0.05). Understanding the nature of DNA and membrane damage that occurs in cryopreserved spermatozoa from Xenopus species represents the first step in exploiting these powerful model organisms to understand the developmental consequences of fertilising with cryopreservation-damaged spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Morrow
- School of Biological Sciences and European Resource Centre, The University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
| | - J Gosálvez
- Department of Biology, Genetics Unit, The Autonomous University of Madrid, 20849 Madrid, Spain
| | - C López-Fernández
- Department of Biology, Genetics Unit, The Autonomous University of Madrid, 20849 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Arroyo
- Department of Biology, Genetics Unit, The Autonomous University of Madrid, 20849 Madrid, Spain
| | - W V Holt
- Academic Department of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK
| | - M J Guille
- School of Biological Sciences and European Resource Centre, The University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
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Genetics and mechanisms leading to human cortical malformations. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 76:33-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Nakajima K, Tazawa I, Yaoita Y. Thyroid Hormone Receptor α- and β-Knockout Xenopus tropicalis Tadpoles Reveal Subtype-Specific Roles During Development. Endocrinology 2018; 159:733-743. [PMID: 29126198 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) binds TH receptor α (TRα) and β (TRβ) to induce amphibian metamorphosis. Whereas TH signaling has been well studied, functional differences between TRα and TRβ during this process have not been characterized. To understand how each TR contributes to metamorphosis, we generated TRα- and TRβ-knockout tadpoles of Xenopus tropicalis and examined developmental abnormalities, histology of the tail and intestine, and messenger RNA expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes. In TRβ-knockout tadpoles, tail regression was delayed significantly and a healthy notochord was observed even 5 days after the initiation of tail shortening (stage 62), whereas in the tails of wild-type and TRα-knockout tadpoles, the notochord disappeared after ∼1 day. The messenger RNA expression levels of genes encoding extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP2, MMP9TH, MMP13, MMP14, and FAPα) were obviously reduced in the tail tip of TRβ-knockout tadpoles, with the shortening tail. The reduction in olfactory nerve length and head narrowing by gill absorption were also affected. Hind limb growth and intestinal shortening were not compromised in TRβ-knockout tadpoles, whereas tail regression and olfactory nerve shortening appeared to proceed normally in TRα-knockout tadpoles, except for the precocious development of hind limbs. Our results demonstrated the distinct roles of TRα and TRβ in hind limb growth and tail regression, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Nakajima
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Ichiro Tazawa
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yaoita
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
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36
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El-Bakary NER, Abumandour MMA. Visual adaptations of the eye of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Vet Res Commun 2017; 41:257-262. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-017-9696-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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37
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Beyond mouse cancer models: Three-dimensional human-relevant in vitro and non-mammalian in vivo models for photodynamic therapy. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 773:242-262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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38
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Tandon P, Conlon F, Furlow JD, Horb ME. Expanding the genetic toolkit in Xenopus: Approaches and opportunities for human disease modeling. Dev Biol 2017; 426:325-335. [PMID: 27109192 PMCID: PMC5074924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The amphibian model Xenopus, has been used extensively over the past century to study multiple aspects of cell and developmental biology. Xenopus offers advantages of a non-mammalian system, including high fecundity, external development, and simple housing requirements, with additional advantages of large embryos, highly conserved developmental processes, and close evolutionary relationship to higher vertebrates. There are two main species of Xenopus used in biomedical research, Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis; the common perception is that both species are excellent models for embryological and cell biological studies, but only Xenopus tropicalis is useful as a genetic model. The recent completion of the Xenopus laevis genome sequence combined with implementation of genome editing tools, such as TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases) and CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated nucleases), greatly facilitates the use of both Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis for understanding gene function in development and disease. In this paper, we review recent advances made in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis with TALENs and CRISPR-Cas and discuss the various approaches that have been used to generate knockout and knock-in animals in both species. These advances show that both Xenopus species are useful for genetic approaches and in particular counters the notion that Xenopus laevis is not amenable to genetic manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panna Tandon
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, United States.
| | - Frank Conlon
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, United States
| | - J David Furlow
- Deparment of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Marko E Horb
- National Xenopus Resource and Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States.
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Ledford KL, Martinez-De Luna RI, Theisen MA, Rawlins KD, Viczian AS, Zuber ME. Distinct cis-acting regions control six6 expression during eye field and optic cup stages of eye formation. Dev Biol 2017; 426:418-428. [PMID: 28438336 PMCID: PMC5500183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The eye field transcription factor, Six6, is essential for both the early (specification and proliferative growth) phase of eye formation, as well as for normal retinal progenitor cell differentiation. While genomic regions driving six6 optic cup expression have been described, the sequences controlling eye field and optic vesicle expression are unknown. Two evolutionary conserved regions 5' and a third 3' to the six6 coding region were identified, and together they faithfully replicate the endogenous X. laevis six6 expression pattern. Transgenic lines were generated and used to determine the onset and expression patterns controlled by the regulatory regions. The conserved 3' region was necessary and sufficient for eye field and optic vesicle expression. In contrast, the two conserved enhancer regions located 5' of the coding sequence were required together for normal optic cup and mature retinal expression. Gain-of-function experiments indicate endogenous six6 and GFP expression in F1 transgenic embryos are similarly regulated in response to candidate trans-acting factors. Importantly, CRISPR/CAS9-mediated deletion of the 3' eye field/optic vesicle enhancer in X. laevis, resulted in a reduction in optic vesicle size. These results identify the cis-acting regions, demonstrate the modular nature of the elements controlling early versus late retinal expression, and identify potential regulators of six6 expression during the early stages of eye formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley L Ledford
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Reyna I Martinez-De Luna
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Matthew A Theisen
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Karisa D Rawlins
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Andrea S Viczian
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States.
| | - Michael E Zuber
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Center for Vision Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
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no privacy, a Xenopus tropicalis mutant, is a model of human Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome and allows visualization of internal organogenesis during tadpole development. Dev Biol 2017; 426:472-486. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sater AK, Moody SA. Using Xenopus to understand human disease and developmental disorders. Genesis 2017; 55. [PMID: 28095616 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Model animals are crucial to biomedical research. Among the commonly used model animals, the amphibian, Xenopus, has had tremendous impact because of its unique experimental advantages, cost effectiveness, and close evolutionary relationship with mammals as a tetrapod. Over the past 50 years, the use of Xenopus has made possible many fundamental contributions to biomedicine, and it is a cornerstone of research in cell biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, immunology, molecular biology, neurobiology, and physiology. The prospects for Xenopus as an experimental system are excellent: Xenopus is uniquely well-suited for many contemporary approaches used to study fundamental biological and disease mechanisms. Moreover, recent advances in high throughput DNA sequencing, genome editing, proteomics, and pharmacological screening are easily applicable in Xenopus, enabling rapid functional genomics and human disease modeling at a systems level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy K Sater
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Sally A Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
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Yasue A, Kono H, Habuta M, Bando T, Sato K, Inoue J, Oyadomari S, Noji S, Tanaka E, Ohuchi H. Relationship between somatic mosaicism of Pax6 mutation and variable developmental eye abnormalities-an analysis of CRISPR genome-edited mouse embryos. Sci Rep 2017; 7:53. [PMID: 28246397 PMCID: PMC5428340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00088-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system is a rapid gene-targeting technology that does not require embryonic stem cells. To demonstrate dosage effects of the Pax6 gene on eye formation, we generated Pax6-deficient mice with the CRISPR/Cas system. Eyes of founder embryos at embryonic day (E) 16.5 were examined and categorized according to macroscopic phenotype as class 1 (small eye with distinct pigmentation), class 2 (pigmentation without eye globes), or class 3 (no pigmentation and no eyes). Histologically, class 1 eyes were abnormally small in size with lens still attached to the cornea at E16.5. Class 2 eyes had no lens and distorted convoluted retinas. Class 3 eyes had only rudimentary optic vesicle-like tissues or histological anophthalmia. Genotyping of neck tissue cells from the founder embryos revealed somatic mosaicism and allelic complexity for Pax6. Relationships between eye phenotype and genotype were developed. The present results demonstrated that development of the lens from the surface ectoderm requires a higher gene dose of Pax6 than development of the retina from the optic vesicle. We further anticipate that mice with somatic mosaicism in a targeted gene generated by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing will give some insights for understanding the complexity in human congenital diseases that occur in mosaic form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Yasue
- Department of Orthodontics Dentofacial Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.
| | - Hitomi Kono
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Munenori Habuta
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Bando
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Keita Sato
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Junji Inoue
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Seiichi Oyadomari
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Advanced Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Sumihare Noji
- Tokushima University, 2-24 Shinkura-cho, Tokushima, 770-8501, Japan
| | - Eiji Tanaka
- Department of Orthodontics Dentofacial Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan
| | - Hideyo Ohuchi
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
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Tseng AS. Seeing the future: usingXenopusto understand eye regeneration. Genesis 2017; 55. [DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Sun Tseng
- School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada; Las Vegas, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, Box 454004 Las Vegas Nevada 89154
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Moulton MJ, Letsou A. Modeling congenital disease and inborn errors of development in Drosophila melanogaster. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:253-69. [PMID: 26935104 PMCID: PMC4826979 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.023564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fly models that faithfully recapitulate various aspects of human disease and human health-related biology are being used for research into disease diagnosis and prevention. Established and new genetic strategies in Drosophila have yielded numerous substantial successes in modeling congenital disorders or inborn errors of human development, as well as neurodegenerative disease and cancer. Moreover, although our ability to generate sequence datasets continues to outpace our ability to analyze these datasets, the development of high-throughput analysis platforms in Drosophila has provided access through the bottleneck in the identification of disease gene candidates. In this Review, we describe both the traditional and newer methods that are facilitating the incorporation of Drosophila into the human disease discovery process, with a focus on the models that have enhanced our understanding of human developmental disorders and congenital disease. Enviable features of the Drosophila experimental system, which make it particularly useful in facilitating the much anticipated move from genotype to phenotype (understanding and predicting phenotypes directly from the primary DNA sequence), include its genetic tractability, the low cost for high-throughput discovery, and a genome and underlying biology that are highly evolutionarily conserved. In embracing the fly in the human disease-gene discovery process, we can expect to speed up and reduce the cost of this process, allowing experimental scales that are not feasible and/or would be too costly in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Moulton
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, 15 North 2030 East, Room 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5330, USA
| | - Anthea Letsou
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, 15 North 2030 East, Room 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5330, USA
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45
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Reis AH, Moreno MM, Maia LA, Oliveira FP, Santos AS, Abreu JG. Cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains modulate Wnt/β-catenin morphogen gradient during Xenopus development. Mech Dev 2016; 142:30-39. [PMID: 27687541 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin has been described as crucial for dorsal-ventral and antero-posterior patterning, playing multiple roles at different stages of development. Cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains (CRMMs), cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains of the plasma membrane, are known as platforms for signaling pathways. Although we have demonstrated the importance of the CRMMs for head development, how they participate in prechordal plate formation and embryo axis patterning remains an open question. Moreover, the participation of the CRMMs in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity in vivo is unclear, particularly during embryonic development. In this study, we demonstrated that CRMMs disruption by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) potentiates the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo during embryonic development, causing head defects by expanding the Wnt expression domain. Furthermore, we also found that the action of CRMMs depends on the microenvironmental context because it also works in conjunction with dkk1, when dkk1 is overexpressed. Thus, we propose CRMMs as a further mechanism of prechordal plate protection against the Wnt signals secreted by posterolateral cells, complementing the action of secreted antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice H Reis
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Marcela M Moreno
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lorena A Maia
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda P Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Andressa S Santos
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - José Garcia Abreu
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
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46
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Blitz IL, Paraiso KD, Patrushev I, Chiu WTY, Cho KWY, Gilchrist MJ. A catalog of Xenopus tropicalis transcription factors and their regional expression in the early gastrula stage embryo. Dev Biol 2016; 426:409-417. [PMID: 27475627 PMCID: PMC5596316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) involve highly combinatorial interactions between transcription factors and short sequence motifs in cis-regulatory modules of target genes to control cellular phenotypes. The GRNs specifying most cell types are largely unknown and are the subject of wide interest. A catalog of transcription factors is a valuable tool toward obtaining a deeper understanding of the role of these critical effectors in any biological setting. Here we present a comprehensive catalog of the transcription factors for the diploid frog Xenopus tropicalis. We identify 1235 genes encoding DNA-binding transcription factors, comparable to the numbers found in typical mammalian species. In detail, the repertoire of X. tropicalis transcription factor genes is nearly identical to human and mouse, with the exception of zinc finger family members, and a small number of species/lineage-specific gene duplications and losses relative to the mammalian repertoires. We applied this resource to the identification of transcription factors differentially expressed in the early gastrula stage embryo. We find transcription factor enrichment in Spemann's organizer, the ventral mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm, and report 218 TFs that show regionalized expression patterns at this stage. Many of these have not been previously reported as expressed in the early embryo, suggesting thus far unappreciated roles for many transcription factors in the GRNs regulating early development. We expect our transcription factor catalog will facilitate myriad studies using Xenopus as a model system to understand basic biology and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
| | - Kitt D Paraiso
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Ilya Patrushev
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - William T Y Chiu
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Ken W Y Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
| | - Michael J Gilchrist
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK.
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47
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Audette DS, Scheiblin DA, Duncan MK. The molecular mechanisms underlying lens fiber elongation. Exp Eye Res 2016; 156:41-49. [PMID: 27015931 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lens fiber cells are highly elongated cells with complex membrane morphologies that are critical for the transparency of the ocular lens. Investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying lens fiber cell elongation were first reported in the 1960s, however, our understanding of the process is still poor nearly 50 years later. This review summarizes what is currently hypothesized about the regulation of lens fiber cell elongation along with the available experimental evidence, and how this information relates to what is known about the regulation of cell shape/elongation in other cell types, particularly neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan S Audette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - David A Scheiblin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Melinda K Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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48
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Kofent J, Spagnoli FM. Xenopus as a model system for studying pancreatic development and diabetes. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 51:106-16. [PMID: 26806634 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by the loss or dysfunction of the insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas. To date, much of our knowledge about β-cells in humans comes from studying rare monogenic forms of diabetes. Importantly, the majority of mutations so far associated to monogenic diabetes are in genes that exert a regulatory role in pancreatic development and/or β-cell function. Thus, the identification and study of novel mutations open an unprecedented window into human pancreatic development. In this review, we summarize major advances in the genetic dissection of different types of monogenic diabetes and the insights gained from a developmental perspective. We highlight future challenges to bridge the gap between the fast accumulation of genetic data through next-generation sequencing and the need of functional insights into disease mechanisms. Lastly, we discuss the relevance and advantages of studying candidate gene variants in vivo using the Xenopus as model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kofent
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca M Spagnoli
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany.
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Miyamoto K, Suzuki KIT, Suzuki M, Sakane Y, Sakuma T, Herberg S, Simeone A, Simpson D, Jullien J, Yamamoto T, Gurdon JB. The Expression of TALEN before Fertilization Provides a Rapid Knock-Out Phenotype in Xenopus laevis Founder Embryos. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142946. [PMID: 26580070 PMCID: PMC4651567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in genome editing using programmable nucleases have revolutionized gene targeting in various organisms. Successful gene knock-out has been shown in Xenopus, a widely used model organism, although a system enabling less mosaic knock-out in founder embryos (F0) needs to be explored in order to judge phenotypes in the F0 generation. Here, we injected modified highly active transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) mRNA to oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, followed by in vitro maturation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, to achieve a full knock-out in F0 embryos. Unlike conventional injection methods to fertilized embryos, the injection of TALEN mRNA into GV oocytes allows expression of nucleases before fertilization, enabling them to work from an earlier stage. Using this procedure, most of developed embryos showed full knock-out phenotypes of the pigmentation gene tyrosinase and/or embryonic lethal gene pax6 in the founder generation. In addition, our method permitted a large 1 kb deletion. Thus, we describe nearly complete gene knock-out phenotypes in Xenopus laevis F0 embryos. The presented method will help to accelerate the production of knock-out frogs since we can bypass an extra generation of about 1 year in Xenopus laevis. Meantime, our method provides a unique opportunity to rapidly test the developmental effects of disrupting those genes that do not permit growth to an adult able to reproduce. In addition, the protocol shown here is considerably less invasive than the previously used host transfer since our protocol does not require surgery. The experimental scheme presented is potentially applicable to other organisms such as mammals and fish to resolve common issues of mosaicism in founders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Miyamoto
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KM); (KTS)
| | - Ken-ichi T. Suzuki
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail: (KM); (KTS)
| | - Miyuki Suzuki
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuto Sakane
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sarah Herberg
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Simeone
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Simpson
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jerome Jullien
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - J. B. Gurdon
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Massé AJ, Muscatello JR, Janz DM. Dose-Dependent Early Life Stage Toxicities in Xenopus laevis Exposed In Ovo to Selenium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:13658-13666. [PMID: 26501870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a developmental toxicant in oviparous vertebrates. The adverse reproductive effects of Se toxicity have been predominantly investigated in fishes and birds with only a few studies focusing on amphibians. The objective of this study was to determine tissue-based toxicity thresholds for early life stage Se toxicities in Xenopus laevis as a consequence of in ovo exposure through maternal transfer of dietary Se. Following a 68-day dietary exposure to food augmented with l-selenomethionine (SeMet) at measured concentrations of 0.7 (control), 10.9, 30.4, or 94.2 μg Se/g dry mass (d.m.), adult female X. laevis were bred with untreated males, and resulting embryos were incubated until 5 days postfertilization (dpf). The measured Se concentrations in eggs were 1.6, 10.8, 28.1, and 81.7 μg Se/g d.m., respectively. No biologically significant effects were observed on fertilization success, hatchability, or mortality in offspring. Frequency and severity of morphological abnormalities were significantly greater in 5 dpf tadpoles from the highest exposure group when compared to the control, with eye lens abnormalities being the most prominent of all abnormalities. The estimated EC10 value for frequency of total early life stage abnormalities was 44.9 μg Se/g egg d.m., which suggests that this amphibian species is less sensitive to in ovo Se exposure than most of the fish species studied to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita J Massé
- Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5B3
| | | | - David M Janz
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5B3
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5B4
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