1
|
Mörsdorf D, Knabl P, Genikhovich G. Highly conserved and extremely evolvable: BMP signalling in secondary axis patterning of Cnidaria and Bilateria. Dev Genes Evol 2024; 234:1-19. [PMID: 38472535 PMCID: PMC11226491 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-024-00714-4] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Bilateria encompass the vast majority of the animal phyla. As the name states, they are bilaterally symmetric, that is with a morphologically clear main body axis connecting their anterior and posterior ends, a second axis running between their dorsal and ventral surfaces, and with a left side being roughly a mirror image of their right side. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling has widely conserved functions in the formation and patterning of the second, dorso-ventral (DV) body axis, albeit to different extents in different bilaterian species. Whilst initial findings in the fruit fly Drosophila and the frog Xenopus highlighted similarities amongst these evolutionarily very distant species, more recent analyses featuring other models revealed considerable diversity in the mechanisms underlying dorsoventral patterning. In fact, as phylogenetic sampling becomes broader, we find that this axis patterning system is so evolvable that even its core components can be deployed differently or lost in different model organisms. In this review, we will try to highlight the diversity of ways by which BMP signalling controls bilaterality in different animals, some of which do not belong to Bilateria. Future research combining functional analyses and modelling is bound to give us some understanding as to where the limits to the extent of the evolvability of BMP-dependent axial patterning may lie.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Mörsdorf
- Dept. Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, UBB, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Knabl
- Dept. Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, UBB, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Grigory Genikhovich
- Dept. Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, UBB, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mańko MK, Munro C, Leclère L. Establishing Bilateral Symmetry in Hydrozoan Planula Larvae, a Review of Siphonophore Early Development. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:975-989. [PMID: 37353930 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad081] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Siphonophores are colonial hydrozoans, characterized by complex colony organization and unparalleled zooid functional specialization. Recent genomic studies have offered an evolutionary perspective on how this morphological complexity arose, but a molecular characterization of symmetry breaking in siphonophore embryonic development is still largely missing. Here, bringing together historical data on early development with new immunohistochemical data, we review the diversity of developmental trajectories that lead to the formation of bilaterally symmetric planula larvae in siphonophores. Embryonic development, up to the planula stage, is remarkably similar across siphonophore phylogeny. Then, with the appearance of the lateral endodermal thickening (= ventral endoderm), larval development diverges between taxa, differing in the location and patterning of the primary buds, chronology of budding, establishment of growth zones, and retention of larval zooids. Our work also uncovers a number of open questions in siphonophore development, including homology of different zooids, mechanisms underlying formation and maintenance of spatially restricted growth zone(s), and molecular factors establishing a secondary dorsal-ventral axis in planulae. By discussing siphonophore development and body axes within the broader cnidarian context, we then set the framework for future work on siphonophores, which is finally achievable with the advent of culturing methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej K Mańko
- Laboratory of Plankton Biology, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, 81-378, Poland
| | - Catriona Munro
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, 75005, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, 06230, France
| | - Lucas Leclère
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, 06230, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM), Banyuls-sur-Mer, 66650, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen S, Gong Y, Li S, Yang D, Zhang Y, Liu Q. Hydra gasdermin-gated pyroptosis signalling regulates tissue regeneration. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 149:104904. [PMID: 37543221 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death, is directly executed by gasdermin (GSDM) depending on its N-terminal pore-forming fragment-mediated membrane-disrupting, triggering intracellular contents release, which plays important roles in mammalian anti-infection and anti-tumor immune responses. However, whether pyroptosis engages in the regulation of tissue regeneration remains largely unknown. Here, utilizing Hydra vulgaris as the research model, we found that an HyCARD2-HyGSDME-mediated pyroptosis signalling is activated in both head and foot regenerated tips after amputation. Impeding pyroptosis by knocking down the expression of either HyGSDME or HyCARD2 significantly hampered both head and foot regeneration in Hydra. Mechanistically, the activation of HyCARD2-HyGSDME axis at wound sites is dependent of intracellular mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), the removing of which hindered Hydra head regeneration. Moreover, the HyCARD2-HyGSDME axis-gated pyroptosis was found to enhance the initial secretion and upregulated expression of Wnt3. Collectively, these findings indicate that gasdermin-gated pyroptosis is critical for the evoking of Wnt signalling to facilitate Hydra tissue regeneration, which provides insights into functional diversification within the gasdermin family in the animal kingdom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuxin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shuxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Dahai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Marine Cultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Qin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Marine Cultured Animal Vaccines, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tajer B, Savage AM, Whited JL. The salamander blastema within the broader context of metazoan regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1206157. [PMID: 37635872 PMCID: PMC10450636 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1206157] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the animal kingdom regenerative ability varies greatly from species to species, and even tissue to tissue within the same organism. The sheer diversity of structures and mechanisms renders a thorough comparison of molecular processes truly daunting. Are "blastemas" found in organisms as distantly related as planarians and axolotls derived from the same ancestral process, or did they arise convergently and independently? Is a mouse digit tip blastema orthologous to a salamander limb blastema? In other fields, the thorough characterization of a reference model has greatly facilitated these comparisons. For example, the amphibian Spemann-Mangold organizer has served as an amazingly useful comparative template within the field of developmental biology, allowing researchers to draw analogies between distantly related species, and developmental processes which are superficially quite different. The salamander limb blastema may serve as the best starting point for a comparative analysis of regeneration, as it has been characterized by over 200 years of research and is supported by a growing arsenal of molecular tools. The anatomical and evolutionary closeness of the salamander and human limb also add value from a translational and therapeutic standpoint. Tracing the evolutionary origins of the salamander blastema, and its relatedness to other regenerative processes throughout the animal kingdom, will both enhance our basic biological understanding of regeneration and inform our selection of regenerative model systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jessica L. Whited
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen S, Li S, Chen H, Gong Y, Yang D, Zhang Y, Liu Q. Caspase-mediated LPS sensing and pyroptosis signaling in Hydra. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh4054. [PMID: 37478191 PMCID: PMC10361584 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory caspases sensing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to drive gasdermin (GSDM)-mediated pyroptosis is an important immune response mechanism for anti-infection defense in mammals. In this work, we resolved an LPS-induced and GSDM-gated pyroptosis signaling cascade in Cnidarians. Initially, we identified a functional GSDM protein, HyGSDME, in Hydra, executing cytosolic LPS-induced pyroptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. Further, we identified a proinflammatory caspase, HyCaspA, capable of sensing cytosolic LPS by an uncharacterized N-terminal domain relying on its unique hydrophobic property, thereby triggering its oligomerization and self-activation. Subsequently, the LPS-activated HyCaspA cleaved an apoptotic caspase, HyCARD2, to trigger HyGSDME-gated pyroptosis. Last, HyGSDME exhibited an enriched distribution on the ectodermal layer of Hydra polyps, exerting a canonical immune defense function against surface-invading bacteria. Collectively, our work resolved an ancient pyroptosis signaling cascade in Hydra, suggesting that inflammatory caspases sensing cytosolic LPS to initiate GSDM-gated pyroptosis are a conserved immune defense mechanism from Cnidarians to mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuxin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Dahai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Qin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Holstein TW. The Hydra stem cell system - Revisited. Cells Dev 2023; 174:203846. [PMID: 37121433 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Cnidarians are >600 million years old and are considered the sister group of Bilateria based on numerous molecular phylogenetic studies. Apart from Hydra, the genomes of all major clades of Cnidaria have been uncovered (e.g. Aurelia, Clytia, Nematostella and Acropora) and they reveal a remarkable completeness of the metazoan genomic toolbox. Of particular interest is Hydra, a model system of aging research, regenerative biology, and stem cell biology. With the knowledge gained from scRNA research, it is now possible to characterize the expression profiles of all cell types with great precision. In functional studies, our picture of the Hydra stem cell biology has changed, and we are in the process of obtaining a clear picture of the homeostasis and properties of the different stem cell populations. Even though Hydra is often compared to plant systems, the new data on germline and regeneration, but also on the dynamics and plasticity of the nervous system, show that Hydra with its simple body plan represents in a nutshell the prototype of an animal with stem cell lineages, whose properties correspond in many ways to Bilateria. This review provides an overview of the four stem cell lineages, the two epithelial lineages that constitute the ectoderm and the endoderm, as well as the multipotent somatic interstitial lineage (MPSC) and the germline stem cell lineage (GSC), also known as the interstitial cells of Hydra.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Holstein
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shylo NA, Smith SE, Price AJ, Guo F, McClain M, Trainor PA. Morphological changes and two Nodal paralogs drive left-right asymmetry in the squamate veiled chameleon ( C. calyptratus). Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1132166. [PMID: 37113765 PMCID: PMC10126504 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1132166] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ancestral mode of left-right (L-R) patterning involves cilia in the L-R organizer. However, the mechanisms regulating L-R patterning in non-avian reptiles remains an enigma, since most squamate embryos are undergoing organogenesis at oviposition. In contrast, veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) embryos are pre-gastrula at oviposition, making them an excellent organism for studying L-R patterning evolution. Here we show that veiled chameleon embryos lack motile cilia at the time of L-R asymmetry establishment. Thus, the loss of motile cilia in the L-R organizers is a synapomorphy of all reptiles. Furthermore, in contrast to avians, geckos and turtles, which have one Nodal gene, veiled chameleon exhibits expression of two paralogs of Nodal in the left lateral plate mesoderm, albeit in non-identical patterns. Using live imaging, we observed asymmetric morphological changes that precede, and likely trigger, asymmetric expression of the Nodal cascade. Thus, veiled chameleons are a new and unique model for studying the evolution of L-R patterning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Shylo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Sarah E. Smith
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Price
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Fengli Guo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Melainia McClain
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Paul A. Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Paul A. Trainor,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tursch A, Holstein TW. From injury to patterning—MAPKs and Wnt signaling in Hydra. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:381-417. [PMID: 36967201 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydra has a regenerative capacity that is not limited to individual organs but encompasses the entire body. Various global and integrative genome, transcriptome and proteome approaches have shown that many of the signaling pathways and transcription factors present in vertebrates are already present in Cnidaria, the sister group of Bilateria, and are also activated in regeneration. It is now possible to investigate one of the central questions of regeneration biology, i.e., how does the patterning system become activated by the injury signals that initiate regeneration. This review will present the current data obtained in Hydra and draw parallels with regeneration in Bilateria. Important findings of this global analysis are that the Wnt signaling pathway has a dual function in the regeneration process. In the early phase Wnt is activated generically and in a second phase of pattern formation it is activated in a position specific manner. Thus, Wnt signaling is part of the generic injury response, in which mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are initially activated via calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The MAPKs, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) are essential for Wnt activation in Hydra head and foot regenerates. Furthermore, the antagonism between the ERK signaling pathway and stress-induced MAPKs results in a balanced induction of apoptosis and mitosis. However, the early Wnt genes are activated by MAPK signaling rather than apoptosis. Early Wnt gene activity is differentially integrated with a stable, β-Catenin-based gradient along the primary body axis maintaining axial polarity and activating further Wnts in the regenerating head. Because MAPKs and Wnts are highly evolutionarily conserved, we hypothesize that this mechanism is also present in vertebrates but may be activated to different degrees at the level of early Wnt gene integration.
Collapse
|
9
|
Vogg MC, Ferenc J, Buzgariu WC, Perruchoud C, Sanchez PGL, Beccari L, Nuninger C, Le Cras Y, Delucinge-Vivier C, Papasaikas P, Vincent S, Galliot B, Tsiairis CD. The transcription factor Zic4 promotes tentacle formation and prevents epithelial transdifferentiation in Hydra. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo0694. [PMID: 36563144 PMCID: PMC9788771 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that maintain cellular identities and prevent dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation remain mysterious. However, both processes are transiently used during animal regeneration. Therefore, organisms that regenerate their organs, appendages, or even their whole body offer a fruitful paradigm to investigate the regulation of cell fate stability. Here, we used Hydra as a model system and show that Zic4, whose expression is controlled by Wnt3/β-catenin signaling and the Sp5 transcription factor, plays a key role in tentacle formation and tentacle maintenance. Reducing Zic4 expression suffices to induce transdifferentiation of tentacle epithelial cells into foot epithelial cells. This switch requires the reentry of tentacle battery cells into the cell cycle without cell division and is accompanied by degeneration of nematocytes embedded in these cells. These results indicate that maintenance of cell fate by a Wnt-controlled mechanism is a key process both during homeostasis and during regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Christian Vogg
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Jaroslav Ferenc
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4001, Switzerland
| | - Wanda Christa Buzgariu
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Chrystelle Perruchoud
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Paul Gerald Layague Sanchez
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Beccari
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Clara Nuninger
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4001, Switzerland
| | - Youn Le Cras
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Céline Delucinge-Vivier
- iGE3 Genomics Platform, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
| | - Panagiotis Papasaikas
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Vincent
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5239, Inserm, U1293, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 46 allée d’Italie, Lyon F-69364, France
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva 4 1211, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (B.G.); (C.D.T.)
| | - Charisios D. Tsiairis
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel 4058, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (B.G.); (C.D.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Puntin G, Sweet M, Fraune S, Medina M, Sharp K, Weis VM, Ziegler M. Harnessing the Power of Model Organisms To Unravel Microbial Functions in the Coral Holobiont. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0005322. [PMID: 36287022 PMCID: PMC9769930 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00053-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stony corals build the framework of coral reefs, ecosystems of immense ecological and economic importance. The existence of these ecosystems is threatened by climate change and other anthropogenic stressors that manifest in microbial dysbiosis such as coral bleaching and disease, often leading to coral mortality. Despite a significant amount of research, the mechanisms ultimately underlying these destructive phenomena, and what could prevent or mitigate them, remain to be resolved. This is mostly due to practical challenges in experimentation on corals and the highly complex nature of the coral holobiont that also includes bacteria, archaea, protists, and viruses. While the overall importance of these partners is well recognized, their specific contributions to holobiont functioning and their interspecific dynamics remain largely unexplored. Here, we review the potential of adopting model organisms as more tractable systems to address these knowledge gaps. We draw on parallels from the broader biological and biomedical fields to guide the establishment, implementation, and integration of new and emerging model organisms with the aim of addressing the specific needs of coral research. We evaluate the cnidarian models Hydra, Aiptasia, Cassiopea, and Astrangia poculata; review the fast-evolving field of coral tissue and cell cultures; and propose a framework for the establishment of "true" tropical reef-building coral models. Based on this assessment, we also suggest future research to address key aspects limiting our ability to understand and hence improve the response of reef-building corals to future ocean conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Puntin
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Marine Holobiomics Lab, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Institute for Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Koty Sharp
- Department of Biology, Marine Biology, and Environmental Science, Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Virginia M. Weis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Maren Ziegler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Marine Holobiomics Lab, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
siRNA-mediated gene knockdown via electroporation in hydrozoan jellyfish embryos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16049. [PMID: 36180523 PMCID: PMC9525680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As the sister group to bilaterians, cnidarians stand in a unique phylogenetic position that provides insight into evolutionary aspects of animal development, physiology, and behavior. While cnidarians are classified into two types, sessile polyps and free-swimming medusae, most studies at the cellular and molecular levels have been conducted on representative polyp-type cnidarians and have focused on establishing techniques of genetic manipulation. Recently, gene knockdown by delivery of short hairpin RNAs into eggs via electroporation has been introduced in two polyp-type cnidarians, Nematostella vectensis and Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, enabling systematic loss-of-function experiments. By contrast, current methods of genetic manipulation for most medusa-type cnidarians, or jellyfish, are quite limited, except for Clytia hemisphaerica, and reliable techniques are required to interrogate function of specific genes in different jellyfish species. Here, we present a method to knock down target genes by delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) into fertilized eggs via electroporation, using the hydrozoan jellyfish, Clytia hemisphaerica and Cladonema paciificum. We show that siRNAs targeting endogenous GFP1 and Wnt3 in Clytia efficiently knock down gene expression and result in known planula phenotypes: loss of green fluorescence and defects in axial patterning, respectively. We also successfully knock down endogenous Wnt3 in Cladonema by siRNA electroporation, which circumvents the technical difficulty of microinjecting small eggs. Wnt3 knockdown in Cladonema causes gene expression changes in axial markers, suggesting a conserved Wnt/β-catenin-mediated pathway that controls axial polarity during embryogenesis. Our gene-targeting siRNA electroporation method is applicable to other animals, including and beyond jellyfish species, and will facilitate the investigation and understanding of myriad aspects of animal development.
Collapse
|
12
|
Injury-induced MAPK activation triggers body axis formation in Hydra by default Wnt signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204122119. [PMID: 35994642 PMCID: PMC9436372 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204122119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydra's almost unlimited regenerative potential is based on Wnt signaling, but so far it is unknown how the injury stimulus is transmitted to discrete patterning fates in head and foot regenerates. We previously identified mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) among the earliest injury response molecules in Hydra head regeneration. Here, we show that three MAPKs-p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)-are essential to initiate regeneration in Hydra, independent of the wound position. Their activation occurs in response to any injury and requires calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Phosphorylated MAPKs hereby exhibit cross talk with mutual antagonism between the ERK pathway and stress-induced MAPKs, orchestrating a balance between cell survival and apoptosis. Importantly, Wnt3 and Wnt9/10c, which are induced by MAPK signaling, can partially rescue regeneration in tissues treated with MAPK inhibitors. Also, foot regenerates can be reverted to form head tissue by a pharmacological increase of β-catenin signaling or the application of recombinant Wnts. We propose a model in which a β-catenin-based stable gradient of head-forming capacity along the primary body axis, by differentially integrating an indiscriminate injury response, determines the fate of the regenerating tissue. Hereby, Wnt signaling acquires sustained activation in the head regenerate, while it is transient in the presumptive foot tissue. Given the high level of evolutionary conservation of MAPKs and Wnts, we assume that this mechanism is deeply embedded in our genome.
Collapse
|
13
|
Brooun M, Salvenmoser W, Dana C, Sudol M, Steele R, Hobmayer B, McNeill H. The Hippo pathway regulates axis formation and morphogenesis in Hydra. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203257119. [PMID: 35858299 PMCID: PMC9304002 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203257119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
How did cells of early metazoan organisms first organize themselves to form a body axis? The canonical Wnt pathway has been shown to be sufficient for induction of axis in Cnidaria, a sister group to Bilateria, and is important in bilaterian axis formation. Here, we provide experimental evidence that in cnidarian Hydra the Hippo pathway regulates the formation of a new axis during budding upstream of the Wnt pathway. The transcriptional target of the Hippo pathway, the transcriptional coactivator YAP, inhibits the initiation of budding in Hydra and is regulated by Hydra LATS. In addition, we show functions of the Hippo pathway in regulation of actin organization and cell proliferation in Hydra. We hypothesize that the Hippo pathway served as a link between continuous cell division, cell density, and axis formation early in metazoan evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brooun
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Willi Salvenmoser
- Department of Zoology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Catherine Dana
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700
| | - Marius Sudol
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Robert Steele
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700
| | - Bert Hobmayer
- Department of Zoology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helen McNeill
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kremnev SV. Evolutionary and Ontogenetic Plasticity of Conserved Signaling Pathways in Animals’ Development. Russ J Dev Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360422020114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
15
|
Holstein TW. The role of cnidarian developmental biology in unraveling axis formation and Wnt signaling. Dev Biol 2022; 487:74-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
16
|
Vogg MC, Galliot B. Combining RNAi-Mediated β-Catenin Inhibition and Reaggregation to Study Hydra Whole-Body Regeneration. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2450:635-647. [PMID: 35359333 PMCID: PMC9761923 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2172-1_34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In addition to its ability to regenerate any amputated body part, the Hydra freshwater polyp shows the amazing ability to regenerate as a full polyp after a complete dissociation of its tissues. The developmental processes at work in reaggregates undergoing whole-body regeneration can be investigated at the molecular level by RNA interference (RNAi). Here we provide a protocol that combines β-catenin RNAi with reaggregation. This protocol serves as a basis to generate "RNAi-reaggregates," followed by the extraction of high-quality RNA for the precise quantification of gene expression by real-time PCR. This protocol is efficient, providing both a molecular signature, with the significant downregulation of β-catenin and Wnt3, as well as a robust phenotype, the lack of axis formation, which is observed in all reaggregates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Christian Vogg
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, iGE3, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, iGE3, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vogg MC, Buzgariu W, Suknovic NS, Galliot B. Cellular, Metabolic, and Developmental Dimensions of Whole-Body Regeneration in Hydra. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2021; 13:a040725. [PMID: 34230037 PMCID: PMC8635000 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Here we discuss the developmental and homeostatic conditions necessary for Hydra regeneration. Hydra is characterized by populations of adult stem cells paused in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, ready to respond to injury signals. The body column can be compared to a blastema-like structure, populated with multifunctional epithelial stem cells that show low sensitivity to proapoptotic signals, and high inducibility of autophagy that promotes resistance to stress and starvation. Intact Hydra polyps also exhibit a dynamic patterning along the oral-aboral axis under the control of homeostatic organizers whose activity results from regulatory loops between activators and inhibitors. As in bilaterians, injury triggers the immediate production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals that promote wound healing and contribute to the reactivation of developmental programs via cell death and the de novo formation of new organizing centers from somatic tissues. In aging Hydra, regeneration is rapidly lost as homeostatic conditions are no longer pro-regenerative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Christian Vogg
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Wanda Buzgariu
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Slavko Suknovic
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Unni M, Reddy PC, Pal M, Sagi I, Galande S. Identification of Components of the Hippo Pathway in Hydra and Potential Role of YAP in Cell Division and Differentiation. Front Genet 2021; 12:676182. [PMID: 34691138 PMCID: PMC8526868 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.676182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway has been shown to be involved in regulating cellular identity, cell/tissue size maintenance and mechanotransduction. The Hippo pathway consists of a kinase cascade which determines the nucleo-cytoplasmic localization of YAP in the cell. YAP is the effector protein in the Hippo pathway, which acts as a transcriptional cofactor for TEAD. Phosphorylation of YAP upon activation of the Hippo pathway prevents it from entering the nucleus and abrogates its function in the transcription of the target genes. In Cnidaria, the information on the regulatory roles of the Hippo pathway is virtually lacking. Here, we report the existence of a complete set of Hippo pathway core components in Hydra for the first time. By studying their phylogeny and domain organization, we report evolutionary conservation of the components of the Hippo pathway. Protein modelling suggested the conservation of YAP-TEAD interaction in Hydra. Further, we characterized the expression pattern of the homologs of yap, hippo, mob and sav in Hydra using whole-mount RNA in situ hybridization and report their possible role in stem cell maintenance. Immunofluorescence assay revealed that Hvul_YAP expressing cells occur in clusters in the body column and are excluded in the terminally differentiated regions. Actively proliferating cells marked by Ki67 exhibit YAP colocalization in their nuclei. Strikingly, a subset of these colocalized cells is actively recruited to the newly developing bud. Disruption of the YAP-TEAD interaction increased the budding rate indicating a critical role of YAP in regulating cell proliferation in Hydra. Collectively, we posit that the Hippo pathway is an essential signaling system in Hydra; its components are ubiquitously expressed in the Hydra body column and play a crucial role in Hydra tissue homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manu Unni
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Mrinmoy Pal
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Irit Sagi
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Moneer J, Siebert S, Krebs S, Cazet J, Prexl A, Pan Q, Juliano C, Böttger A. Differential gene regulation in DAPT-treated Hydra reveals candidate direct Notch signalling targets. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258768. [PMID: 34346482 PMCID: PMC8353520 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Hydra, Notch inhibition causes defects in head patterning and prevents differentiation of proliferating nematocyte progenitor cells into mature nematocytes. To understand the molecular mechanisms by which the Notch pathway regulates these processes, we performed RNA-seq and identified genes that are differentially regulated in response to 48 h of treating the animals with the Notch inhibitor DAPT. To identify candidate direct regulators of Notch signalling, we profiled gene expression changes that occur during subsequent restoration of Notch activity and performed promoter analyses to identify RBPJ transcription factor-binding sites in the regulatory regions of Notch-responsive genes. Interrogating the available single-cell sequencing data set revealed the gene expression patterns of Notch-regulated Hydra genes. Through these analyses, a comprehensive picture of the molecular pathways regulated by Notch signalling in head patterning and in interstitial cell differentiation in Hydra emerged. As prime candidates for direct Notch target genes, in addition to Hydra (Hy)Hes, we suggest Sp5 and HyAlx. They rapidly recovered their expression levels after DAPT removal and possess Notch-responsive RBPJ transcription factor-binding sites in their regulatory regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Moneer
- Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, Biocenter, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Großhaderner Str. 2, Germany
| | - Stefan Siebert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Gene Center Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jack Cazet
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Prexl
- Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, Biocenter, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Großhaderner Str. 2, Germany
| | - Qin Pan
- Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, Biocenter, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Großhaderner Str. 2, Germany
| | - Celina Juliano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Angelika Böttger
- Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Germany, Biocenter, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Großhaderner Str. 2, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ziegler B, Yiallouros I, Trageser B, Kumar S, Mercker M, Kling S, Fath M, Warnken U, Schnölzer M, Holstein TW, Hartl M, Marciniak-Czochra A, Stetefeld J, Stöcker W, Özbek S. The Wnt-specific astacin proteinase HAS-7 restricts head organizer formation in Hydra. BMC Biol 2021; 19:120. [PMID: 34107975 PMCID: PMC8191133 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Hydra head organizer acts as a signaling center that initiates and maintains the primary body axis in steady state polyps and during budding or regeneration. Wnt/beta-Catenin signaling functions as a primary cue controlling this process, but how Wnt ligand activity is locally restricted at the protein level is poorly understood. Here we report a proteomic analysis of Hydra head tissue leading to the identification of an astacin family proteinase as a Wnt processing factor. Results Hydra astacin-7 (HAS-7) is expressed from gland cells as an apical-distal gradient in the body column, peaking close beneath the tentacle zone. HAS-7 siRNA knockdown abrogates HyWnt3 proteolysis in the head tissue and induces a robust double axis phenotype, which is rescued by simultaneous HyWnt3 knockdown. Accordingly, double axes are also observed in conditions of increased Wnt activity as in transgenic actin::HyWnt3 and HyDkk1/2/4 siRNA treated animals. HyWnt3-induced double axes in Xenopus embryos could be rescued by coinjection of HAS-7 mRNA. Mathematical modelling combined with experimental promotor analysis indicate an indirect regulation of HAS-7 by beta-Catenin, expanding the classical Turing-type activator-inhibitor model. Conclusions We show the astacin family protease HAS-7 maintains a single head organizer through proteolysis of HyWnt3. Our data suggest a negative regulatory function of Wnt processing astacin proteinases in the global patterning of the oral-aboral axis in Hydra. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01046-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Ziegler
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Irene Yiallouros
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099, Mainz, Germany
| | - Benjamin Trageser
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Moritz Mercker
- Institute for Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Svenja Kling
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maike Fath
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Warnken
- Functional Proteome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Schnölzer
- Functional Proteome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas W Holstein
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Hartl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Marciniak-Czochra
- Institute for Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Stetefeld
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2 N2, Canada
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Cell and Matrix Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099, Mainz, Germany
| | - Suat Özbek
- Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tran TQ, Kioussi C. Pitx genes in development and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4921-4938. [PMID: 33844046 PMCID: PMC11073205 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode sequence-specific transcription factors (SSTFs) that recognize specific DNA sequences and regulate organogenesis in all eukaryotes. They are essential in specifying spatial and temporal cell identity and as a result, their mutations often cause severe developmental defects. Pitx genes belong to the PRD class of the highly evolutionary conserved homeobox genes in all animals. Vertebrates possess three Pitx paralogs, Pitx1, Pitx2, and Pitx3 while non-vertebrates have only one Pitx gene. The ancient role of regulating left-right (LR) asymmetry is conserved while new functions emerge to afford more complex body plan and functionalities. In mouse, Pitx1 regulates hindlimb tissue patterning and pituitary development. Pitx2 is essential for the development of the oral cavity and abdominal wall while regulates the formation and symmetry of other organs including pituitary, heart, gut, lung among others by controlling growth control genes upon activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Pitx3 is essential for lens development and migration and survival of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Pitx gene mutations are linked to various congenital defects and cancers in humans. Pitx gene family has the potential to offer a new approach in regenerative medicine and aid in identifying new drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thai Q Tran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Chrissa Kioussi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Holtze S, Gorshkova E, Braude S, Cellerino A, Dammann P, Hildebrandt TB, Hoeflich A, Hoffmann S, Koch P, Terzibasi Tozzini E, Skulachev M, Skulachev VP, Sahm A. Alternative Animal Models of Aging Research. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:660959. [PMID: 34079817 PMCID: PMC8166319 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.660959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most research on mechanisms of aging is being conducted in a very limited number of classical model species, i.e., laboratory mouse (Mus musculus), rat (Rattus norvegicus domestica), the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans). The obvious advantages of using these models are access to resources such as strains with known genetic properties, high-quality genomic and transcriptomic sequencing data, versatile experimental manipulation capabilities including well-established genome editing tools, as well as extensive experience in husbandry. However, this approach may introduce interpretation biases due to the specific characteristics of the investigated species, which may lead to inappropriate, or even false, generalization. For example, it is still unclear to what extent knowledge of aging mechanisms gained in short-lived model organisms is transferable to long-lived species such as humans. In addition, other specific adaptations favoring a long and healthy life from the immense evolutionary toolbox may be entirely missed. In this review, we summarize the specific characteristics of emerging animal models that have attracted the attention of gerontologists, we provide an overview of the available data and resources related to these models, and we summarize important insights gained from them in recent years. The models presented include short-lived ones such as killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), long-lived ones such as primates (Callithrix jacchus, Cebus imitator, Macaca mulatta), bathyergid mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber, Fukomys spp.), bats (Myotis spp.), birds, olms (Proteus anguinus), turtles, greenland sharks, bivalves (Arctica islandica), and potentially non-aging ones such as Hydra and Planaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Holtze
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Gorshkova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stan Braude
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Alessandro Cellerino
- Biology Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Philip Dammann
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Central Animal Laboratory, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hoeflich
- Division Signal Transduction, Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Steve Hoffmann
- Computational Biology Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Core Facility Life Science Computing, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Eva Terzibasi Tozzini
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Maxim Skulachev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Skulachev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Arne Sahm
- Computational Biology Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
TGF-β family heterodimeric ligands show increased or exclusive signaling compared to homodimeric ligands in both vertebrate and insect development as well as in therapeutically relevant processes, like osteogenesis. However, the mechanisms that differentiate heterodimer and homodimer signaling remain uncharacterized. We show that BMP antagonists do not account for the exclusive signaling of Bmp2/7 heterodimers in zebrafish development. We found that overexpressed homodimers can signal but surprisingly require two distinct type I receptors, like heterodimers, indicating a required activity of the heteromeric type I receptor complex. We further demonstrate that a canonical type I receptor function has been delegated to only one of these receptors, Acvr1. Our findings should inform both basic and translational research in multiple TGF-β family signaling contexts. Heterodimeric TGF-β ligands outperform homodimers in a variety of developmental, cell culture, and therapeutic contexts; however, the mechanisms underlying this increased potency remain uncharacterized. Here, we use dorsal–ventral axial patterning of the zebrafish embryo to interrogate the BMP2/7 heterodimer signaling mechanism. We demonstrate that differential interactions with BMP antagonists do not account for the reduced signaling ability of homodimers. Instead, we find that while overexpressed BMP2 homodimers can signal, they require two nonredundant type I receptors, one from the Acvr1 subfamily and one from the Bmpr1 subfamily. This implies that all BMP signaling within the zebrafish gastrula, even BMP2 homodimer signaling, requires Acvr1. This is particularly surprising as BMP2 homodimers do not bind Acvr1 in vitro. Furthermore, we find that the roles of the two type I receptors are subfunctionalized within the heterodimer signaling complex, with the kinase activity of Acvr1 being essential, while that of Bmpr1 is not. These results suggest that the potency of the Bmp2/7 heterodimer arises from the ability to recruit both Acvr1 and Bmpr1 into the same signaling complex.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cazet JF, Cho A, Juliano CE. Generic injuries are sufficient to induce ectopic Wnt organizers in Hydra. eLife 2021; 10:60562. [PMID: 33779545 PMCID: PMC8049744 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During whole-body regeneration, a bisection injury can trigger two different types of regeneration. To understand the transcriptional regulation underlying this adaptive response, we characterized transcript abundance and chromatin accessibility during oral and aboral regeneration in the cnidarian Hydra vulgaris. We found that the initial response to amputation at both wound sites is identical and includes widespread apoptosis and the activation of the oral-specifying Wnt signaling pathway. By 8 hr post amputation, Wnt signaling became restricted to oral regeneration. Wnt pathway genes were also upregulated in puncture wounds, and these wounds induced the formation of ectopic oral structures if pre-existing organizers were simultaneously amputated. Our work suggests that oral patterning is activated as part of a generic injury response in Hydra, and that alternative injury outcomes are dependent on signals from the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, Wnt signaling is likely part of a conserved wound response predating the split of cnidarians and bilaterians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack F Cazet
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
| | - Adrienne Cho
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
| | - Celina E Juliano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kim MJ, O'Connor MB. Drosophila Activin signaling promotes muscle growth through InR/TORC1-dependent and -independent processes. Development 2021; 148:dev190868. [PMID: 33234715 PMCID: PMC7823159 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Myostatin/Activin branch of the TGF-β superfamily acts as a negative regulator of vertebrate skeletal muscle size, in part, through downregulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling. Surprisingly, recent studies in Drosophila indicate that motoneuron-derived Activin signaling acts as a positive regulator of muscle size. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila Activin signaling promotes the growth of muscle cells along all three axes: width, thickness and length. Activin signaling positively regulates the insulin receptor (InR)/TORC1 pathway and the level of Myosin heavy chain (Mhc), an essential sarcomeric protein, via increased Pdk1 and Akt1 expression. Enhancing InR/TORC1 signaling in the muscle of Activin pathway mutants restores Mhc levels close to those of the wild type, but only increases muscle width. In contrast, hyperactivation of the Activin pathway in muscles increases overall larval body and muscle fiber length, even when Mhc levels are lowered by suppression of TORC1. Together, these results indicate that the Drosophila Activin pathway regulates larval muscle geometry and body size via promoting InR/TORC1-dependent Mhc production and the differential assembly of sarcomeric components into either pre-existing or new sarcomeric units depending on the balance of InR/TORC1 and Activin signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Jun Kim
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Michael B O'Connor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Krishnapati LS, Khade S, Trimbake D, Patwardhan R, Nadimpalli SK, Ghaskadbi S. Differential expression of BMP inhibitors gremlin and noggin in Hydra suggests distinct roles during budding and patterning of tentacles. Dev Dyn 2020; 249:1470-1485. [PMID: 33245611 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanisms regulating BMP and Wnt pathways and their interactions are not well studied in Hydra. RESULTS We report identification of BMP inhibitor gremlin, comparison of its expression with that of noggin and possible antagonism between Wnt and BMP signaling in Hydra. Gremlin is expressed in body column with high levels in budding region and in early buds. Noggin, on the other hand, is expressed in the hypostome, base of tentacles, lower body column, and basal disc. During budding, noggin is expressed at the sites of tentacle emergence. This was confirmed in ectopic tentacles in polyps treated with alsterpaullone (ALP), a GSK-3β inhibitor that leads to upregulation of Wnt pathway. RT-PCR data show that upregulation of Wnt is accompanied by downregulation of bmp 5-8b though noggin and gremlin remain unaltered till 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS Different expression patterns of gremlin and noggin suggest their roles in budding and patterning of tentacles, respectively. Further, bmp 5-8b inhibition by activated Wnt signaling does not directly involve noggin and gremlin in Hydra. Our data suggest that Wnt/BMP antagonism may have evolved early for defining the oral-aboral axis, while the involvement of BMP antagonists during axial patterning is a recent evolutionary acquisition within the Bilateria lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Surekha Krishnapati
- Developmental Biology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.,Laboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Glycobiology, Biochemistry Department, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Samiksha Khade
- Developmental Biology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Diptee Trimbake
- Developmental Biology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Rohan Patwardhan
- Developmental Biology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Siva Kumar Nadimpalli
- Laboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Glycobiology, Biochemistry Department, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Surendra Ghaskadbi
- Developmental Biology Group, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Reddy PC, Gungi A, Ubhe S, Galande S. Epigenomic landscape of enhancer elements during Hydra head organizer formation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:43. [PMID: 33046126 PMCID: PMC7552563 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Axis patterning during development is accompanied by large-scale gene expression changes. These are brought about by changes in the histone modifications leading to dynamic alterations in chromatin architecture. The cis regulatory DNA elements also play an important role towards modulating gene expression in a context-dependent manner. Hydra belongs to the phylum Cnidaria where the first asymmetry in the body plan was observed and the oral-aboral axis originated. Wnt signaling has been shown to determine the head organizer function in the basal metazoan Hydra. RESULTS To gain insights into the evolution of cis regulatory elements and associated chromatin signatures, we ectopically activated the Wnt signaling pathway in Hydra and monitored the genome-wide alterations in key histone modifications. Motif analysis of putative intergenic enhancer elements from Hydra revealed the conservation of bilaterian cis regulatory elements that play critical roles in development. Differentially regulated enhancer elements were identified upon ectopic activation of Wnt signaling and found to regulate many head organizer specific genes. Enhancer activity of many of the identified cis regulatory elements was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis upon activation of Wnt signaling further confirmed the enrichment of H3K27ac on the enhancer elements of Hv_Wnt5a, Hv_Wnt11 and head organizer genes Hv_Bra1, CnGsc and Hv_Pitx1. Additionally, perturbation of the putative H3K27me3 eraser activity using a specific inhibitor affected the ectopic activation of Wnt signaling indicating the importance of the dynamic changes in the H3K27 modifications towards regulation of the genes involved in the head organizer activity. CONCLUSIONS The activation-associated histone marks H3K4me3, H3K27ac and H3K9ac mark chromatin in a similar manner as seen in bilaterians. We identified intergenic cis regulatory elements which harbor sites for key transcription factors involved in developmental processes. Differentially regulated enhancers exhibited motifs for many zinc-finger, T-box and ETS related TFs whose homologs have a head specific expression in Hydra and could be a part of the pioneer TF network in the patterning of the head. The ability to differentially modify the H3K27 residue is critical for the patterning of Hydra axis revealing a dynamic acetylation/methylation switch to regulate gene expression and chromatin architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Akhila Gungi
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Suyog Ubhe
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Feeding-dependent tentacle development in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4399. [PMID: 32879319 PMCID: PMC7467937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In cnidarians, axial patterning is not restricted to embryogenesis but continues throughout a prolonged life history filled with unpredictable environmental changes. How this developmental capacity copes with fluctuations of food availability and whether it recapitulates embryonic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we utilize the tentacles of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis as an experimental paradigm for developmental patterning across distinct life history stages. By analyzing over 1000 growing polyps, we find that tentacle progression is stereotyped and occurs in a feeding-dependent manner. Using a combination of genetic, cellular and molecular approaches, we demonstrate that the crosstalk between Target of Rapamycin (TOR) and Fibroblast growth factor receptor b (Fgfrb) signaling in ring muscles defines tentacle primordia in fed polyps. Interestingly, Fgfrb-dependent polarized growth is observed in polyp but not embryonic tentacle primordia. These findings show an unexpected plasticity of tentacle development, and link post-embryonic body patterning with food availability. How the developmental capacity of long-lived animals copes with fluctuations in the food supply is unclear. Here, the authors show using the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis that the crosstalk between Target of Rapamycin and fibroblast growth factor signalling in ring muscles links postembryonic tentacle patterning with food availability.
Collapse
|
29
|
Taubenheim J, Willoweit-Ohl D, Knop M, Franzenburg S, He J, Bosch TCG, Fraune S. Bacteria- and temperature-regulated peptides modulate β-catenin signaling in Hydra. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:21459-21468. [PMID: 32817436 PMCID: PMC7474684 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010945117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal development has traditionally been viewed as an autonomous process directed by the host genome. But, in many animals, biotic and abiotic cues, like temperature and bacterial colonizers, provide signals for multiple developmental steps. Hydra offers unique features to encode these complex interactions of developmental processes with biotic and abiotic factors, and we used it here to investigate the impact of bacterial colonizers and temperature on the pattern formation process. In Hydra, formation of the head organizer involves the canonical Wnt pathway. Treatment with alsterpaullone (ALP) results in acquiring characteristics of the head organizer in the body column. Intriguingly, germfree Hydra polyps are significantly more sensitive to ALP compared to control polyps. In addition to microbes, β-catenin-dependent pattern formation is also affected by temperature. Gene expression analyses led to the identification of two small secreted peptides, named Eco1 and Eco2, being up-regulated in the response to both Curvibacter sp., the main bacterial colonizer of Hydra, and low temperatures. Loss-of-function experiments revealed that Eco peptides are involved in the regulation of pattern formation and have an antagonistic function to Wnt signaling in Hydra.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Taubenheim
- Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Doris Willoweit-Ohl
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Mirjam Knop
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jinru He
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas C G Bosch
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gene knockdown via electroporation of short hairpin RNAs in embryos of the marine hydroid Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12806. [PMID: 32732955 PMCID: PMC7393174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69489-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing gene function in a broad range of research organisms is crucial for understanding the biological functions of genes and their evolution. Recent studies have shown that short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) can induce gene-specific knockdowns in two cnidarian species. We have developed a detailed, straightforward, and scalable method to deliver shRNAs into fertilized eggs of the hydrozoan cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus via electroporation, yielding effective gene-targeted knockdowns that can last throughout embryogenesis. Our electroporation protocol allows for the transfection of shRNAs into hundreds of fertilized H. symbiolongicarpus eggs simultaneously with minimal embryo death and no long-term harmful consequences on the developing animals. We show RT-qPCR and detailed phenotypic evidence of our method successfully inducing effective knockdowns of an exogenous gene (eGFP) and an endogenous gene (Nanos2), as well as knockdown confirmation by RT-qPCR of two other endogenous genes. We also provide visual confirmation of successful shRNA transfection inside embryos through electroporation. Our detailed protocol for electroporation of shRNAs in H. symbiolongicarpus embryos constitutes an important experimental resource for the hydrozoan community while also serving as a successful model for the development of similar methods for interrogating gene function in other marine invertebrates.
Collapse
|
31
|
Heger P, Zheng W, Rottmann A, Panfilio KA, Wiehe T. The genetic factors of bilaterian evolution. eLife 2020; 9:e45530. [PMID: 32672535 PMCID: PMC7535936 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cambrian explosion was a unique animal radiation ~540 million years ago that produced the full range of body plans across bilaterians. The genetic mechanisms underlying these events are unknown, leaving a fundamental question in evolutionary biology unanswered. Using large-scale comparative genomics and advanced orthology evaluation techniques, we identified 157 bilaterian-specific genes. They include the entire Nodal pathway, a key regulator of mesoderm development and left-right axis specification; components for nervous system development, including a suite of G-protein-coupled receptors that control physiology and behaviour, the Robo-Slit midline repulsion system, and the neurotrophin signalling system; a high number of zinc finger transcription factors; and novel factors that previously escaped attention. Contradicting the current view, our study reveals that genes with bilaterian origin are robustly associated with key features in extant bilaterians, suggesting a causal relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Heger
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Wen Zheng
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Anna Rottmann
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Kristen A Panfilio
- Institute for Zoology: Developmental Biology, Cologne Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill CampusCoventryUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas Wiehe
- Institute for Genetics, Cologne Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kozmikova I, Kozmik Z. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an evolutionarily conserved determinant of chordate dorsal organizer. eLife 2020; 9:56817. [PMID: 32452768 PMCID: PMC7292647 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the mechanisms of axis formation in amphioxus is a key step to understanding the evolution of chordate body plan. The current view is that Nodal signaling is the only factor promoting the dorsal axis specification in the amphioxus, whereas Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays no role in this process. Here, we re-examined the role of Wnt/βcatenin signaling in the dorsal/ventral patterning of amphioxus embryo. We demonstrated that the spatial activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is located in presumptive dorsal cells from cleavage to gastrula stage, and provided functional evidence that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is necessary for the specification of dorsal cell fate in a stage-dependent manner. Microinjection of Wnt8 and Wnt11 mRNA induced ectopic dorsal axis in neurulae and larvae. Finally, we demonstrated that Nodal and Wnt/β-catenin signaling cooperate to promote the dorsal-specific gene expression in amphioxus gastrula. Our study reveals high evolutionary conservation of dorsal organizer formation in the chordate lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Kozmikova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Petri ND. Evolutionary Diversity of the Mechanisms Providing the Establishment of Left-Right Asymmetry in Metazoans. Russ J Dev Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360420020058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
34
|
Tomczyk S, Suknovic N, Schenkelaars Q, Wenger Y, Ekundayo K, Buzgariu W, Bauer C, Fischer K, Austad S, Galliot B. Deficient autophagy in epithelial stem cells drives aging in the freshwater cnidarian Hydra. Development 2020; 147:dev.177840. [PMID: 31862842 PMCID: PMC6983715 DOI: 10.1242/dev.177840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hydra possesses three distinct stem cell populations that continuously self-renew and prevent aging in Hydra vulgaris. However, sexual animals from the H. oligactis cold-sensitive strain Ho_CS develop an aging phenotype upon gametogenesis induction, initiated by the loss of interstitial stem cells. Animals stop regenerating, lose their active behaviors and die within 3 months. This phenotype is not observed in the cold-resistant strain Ho_CR. To dissect the mechanisms of Hydra aging, we compared the self-renewal of epithelial stem cells in these two strains and found it to be irreversibly reduced in aging Ho_CS but sustained in non-aging Ho_CR. We also identified a deficient autophagy in Ho_CS epithelial cells, with a constitutive deficiency in autophagosome formation as detected with the mCherry-eGFP-LC3A/B autophagy sensor, an inefficient response to starvation as evidenced by the accumulation of the autophagosome cargo protein p62/SQSTM1, and a poorly inducible autophagy flux upon proteasome inhibition. In the non-aging H. vulgaris animals, the blockade of autophagy by knocking down WIPI2 suffices to induce aging. This study highlights the essential role of a dynamic autophagy flux to maintain epithelial stem cell renewal and prevent aging. Summary: Lack of epithelial stem cell renewal and deficient epithelial autophagy are the major causes of aging in Hydra oligactis, whereas lowering autophagy efficiency in the non-aging Hydra vulgaris induces an aging phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Tomczyk
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Suknovic
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Schenkelaars
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Wenger
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kazadi Ekundayo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Wanda Buzgariu
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Bauer
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Fischer
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Steven Austad
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Davison A. Flipping Shells! Unwinding LR Asymmetry in Mirror-Image Molluscs. Trends Genet 2020; 36:189-202. [PMID: 31952839 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In seeking to understand the establishment of left-right (LR) asymmetry, a limiting factor is that most animals are ordinarily invariant in their asymmetry, except when manipulated or mutated. It is therefore surprising that the wider scientific field does not appear to fully appreciate the remarkable fact that normal development in molluscs, especially snails, can flip between two chiral types without pathology. Here, I describe recent progress in understanding the evolution, development, and genetics of chiral variation in snails, and place it in context with other animals. I argue that the natural variation of snails is a crucial resource towards understanding the invariance in other animal groups and, ultimately, will be key in revealing the common factors that define cellular and organismal LR asymmetry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus Davison
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
|
37
|
Zhang H, Chen S, Shang C, Wu X, Wang Y, Li G. Interplay between Lefty and Nodal signaling is essential for the organizer and axial formation in amphioxus embryos. Dev Biol 2019; 456:63-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
38
|
Reddy PC, Gungi A, Ubhe S, Pradhan SJ, Kolte A, Galande S. Molecular signature of an ancient organizer regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signalling during primary body axis patterning in Hydra. Commun Biol 2019; 2:434. [PMID: 31799436 PMCID: PMC6879750 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0680-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signalling has been shown to play a critical role during head organizer formation in Hydra. Here, we characterized the Wnt signalling regulatory network involved in formation of the head organizer. We found that Wnt signalling regulates genes that are important in tissue morphogenesis. We identified that majority of transcription factors (TFs) regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signalling belong to the homeodomain and forkhead families. Silencing of Margin, one of the Wnt regulated homeodomain TFs, results in loss of the ectopic tentacle phenotype typically seen upon activation of Wnt signalling. Furthermore, we show that the Margin promoter is directly bound and regulated by β-catenin. Ectopic expression of Margin in zebrafish embryos results in body axis abnormalities suggesting that Margin plays a role in axis patterning. Our findings suggest that homeobox TFs came under the regulatory umbrella of Wnt/β-catenin signalling presumably resulting in the evolution of primary body axis in animal phyla.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| | - Akhila Gungi
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| | - Suyog Ubhe
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| | - Saurabh J. Pradhan
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| | - Amol Kolte
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, 411008 India
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Boundary maintenance in the ancestral metazoan Hydra depends on histone acetylation. Dev Biol 2019; 458:200-214. [PMID: 31738910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Much of boundary formation during development remains to be understood, despite being a defining feature of many animal taxa. Axial patterning of Hydra, a member of the ancient phylum Cnidaria which diverged prior to the bilaterian radiation, involves a steady-state of production and loss of tissue, and is dependent on an organizer located in the upper part of the head. We show that the sharp boundary separating tissue in the body column from head and foot tissue depends on histone acetylation. Histone deacetylation disrupts the boundary by affecting numerous developmental genes including Wnt components and prevents stem cells from entering the position dependent differentiation program. Overall, our results suggest that reversible histone acetylation is an ancient regulatory mechanism for partitioning the body axis into domains with specific identity, which was present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians, at least 600 million years ago.
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
The freshwater polyp Hydra provides a potent model system for investigating the conditions that promote wound healing, reactivation of a developmental process and, ultimately, regeneration of an amputated body part. Hydra polyps can also be dissociated to the single cell level and can regenerate a complete body axis from aggregates, behaving as natural organoids. In recent years, the ability to exploit Hydra has been expanded with the advent of new live-imaging approaches, genetic manipulations that include stable transgenesis, gene silencing and genome editing, and the accumulation of high-throughput omics data. In this Primer, we provide an overview of Hydra as a model system for studying regeneration, highlighting recent results that question the classical self-enhancement and long-range inhibition model supposed to drive Hydra regeneration. We underscore the need for integrative explanations incorporating biochemical as well as mechanical signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias C Vogg
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Charisios D Tsiairis
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Symmetry is appealing, be it in architecture, art or facial expression, where symmetry is a key feature to finding someone attractive or not. Yet, asymmetries are widespread in nature, not as an erroneous deviation from the norm but as a way to adapt to the prevailing environmental conditions at a time. Asymmetries in many cases are actively selected for: they might well have increased the evolutionary fitness of a species. Even many single-celled organisms are built asymmetrically, such as the pear-shaped ciliate Paramecium, which may depend on its asymmetry to navigate towards the oxygen-richer surface of turbid waters, at least based on modeling. Everybody knows the lobster with its asymmetric pair of claws, the large crusher usually on the left and the smaller cutter on the right. Snail shells coil asymmetrically, as do the organs they house. Organ asymmetries are found throughout the animal kingdom, referring to asymmetric positioning, asymmetric morphology or both, with the vertebrate heart being an example for the latter. Functional asymmetries, such as that of the human brain with its localization of the language center in one hemisphere, add to the complexity of organ asymmetries and presumably played a decisive role for sociocultural evolution. The evolutionary origin of organ asymmetries may have been a longer than body length gut, which allows efficient retrieval of nutrients, and the need to stow a long gut in the body cavity in an orderly manner that ensures optimal functioning. Vertebrate organ asymmetries (situs solitus) are quite sophisticated: in humans, the apex of the asymmetrically built heart points to the left; the lung in turn, due to space restrictions, has fewer lobes on the left than on the right side (two versus three in humans), stomach and spleen are found on the left, the liver on the right, and small and large intestine coil in a chiral manner (Figure 1A). In very rare cases (1:10,000), the organ situs is inverted (situs inversus), while heterotaxia refers to another rare situation (about 1:1,000), in which subsets of organs show normal or aberrant positioning or morphology (Figure 1B). Individuals with situs solitus or situs inversus are healthy, whereas heterotaxia presents severe congenital malformations. Many human syndromes are known in which patients suffer from laterality defects, such as Katagener syndrome, in which the organ situs is inverted in one half of patients and males are sterile. Snail shells and vertebrate organs are examples of biased asymmetries with on average only one inversion in every 10,000 cases. Other asymmetries such as the coiling of the tails of piglets occur randomly with a 50:50 distribution. This primer exclusively deals with organ asymmetries in the animal kingdom, specifically with the mechanisms that ensure the development of biased asymmetries during embryogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Blum
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Zoology, Garbenstr. 30 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Tim Ott
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Zoology, Garbenstr. 30 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Siebert S, Farrell JA, Cazet JF, Abeykoon Y, Primack AS, Schnitzler CE, Juliano CE. Stem cell differentiation trajectories in Hydra resolved at single-cell resolution. Science 2019; 365:eaav9314. [PMID: 31346039 PMCID: PMC7104783 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav9314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The adult Hydra polyp continually renews all of its cells using three separate stem cell populations, but the genetic pathways enabling this homeostatic tissue maintenance are not well understood. We sequenced 24,985 Hydra single-cell transcriptomes and identified the molecular signatures of a broad spectrum of cell states, from stem cells to terminally differentiated cells. We constructed differentiation trajectories for each cell lineage and identified gene modules and putative regulators expressed along these trajectories, thus creating a comprehensive molecular map of all developmental lineages in the adult animal. In addition, we built a gene expression map of the Hydra nervous system. Our work constitutes a resource for addressing questions regarding the evolution of metazoan developmental processes and nervous system function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Siebert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey A Farrell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jack F Cazet
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yashodara Abeykoon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Abby S Primack
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christine E Schnitzler
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience and Department of Biology, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Celina E Juliano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mortzfeld BM, Taubenheim J, Klimovich AV, Fraune S, Rosenstiel P, Bosch TCG. Temperature and insulin signaling regulate body size in Hydra by the Wnt and TGF-beta pathways. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3257. [PMID: 31332174 PMCID: PMC6646324 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11136-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
How multicellular organisms assess and control their size is a fundamental question in biology, yet the molecular and genetic mechanisms that control organ or organism size remain largely unsolved. The freshwater polyp Hydra demonstrates a high capacity to adapt its body size to different temperatures. Here we identify the molecular mechanisms controlling this phenotypic plasticity and show that temperature-induced cell number changes are controlled by Wnt- and TGF-β signaling. Further we show that insulin-like peptide receptor (INSR) and forkhead box protein O (FoxO) are important genetic drivers of size determination controlling the same developmental regulators. Thus, environmental and genetic factors directly affect developmental mechanisms in which cell number is the strongest determinant of body size. These findings identify the basic mechanisms as to how size is regulated on an organismic level and how phenotypic plasticity is integrated into conserved developmental pathways in an evolutionary informative model organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt M Mortzfeld
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, Dartmouth, MA, 02747, USA
| | - Jan Taubenheim
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
- Institute for Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander V Klimovich
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fraune
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
- Institute for Zoology and Organismic Interactions, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas C G Bosch
- Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Vogg MC, Beccari L, Iglesias Ollé L, Rampon C, Vriz S, Perruchoud C, Wenger Y, Galliot B. An evolutionarily-conserved Wnt3/β-catenin/Sp5 feedback loop restricts head organizer activity in Hydra. Nat Commun 2019; 10:312. [PMID: 30659200 PMCID: PMC6338789 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyps of the cnidarian Hydra maintain their adult anatomy through two developmental organizers, the head organizer located apically and the foot organizer basally. The head organizer is made of two antagonistic cross-reacting components, an activator, driving apical differentiation and an inhibitor, preventing ectopic head formation. Here we characterize the head inhibitor by comparing planarian genes down-regulated when β-catenin is silenced to Hydra genes displaying a graded apical-to-basal expression and an up-regulation during head regeneration. We identify Sp5 as a transcription factor that fulfills the head inhibitor properties: leading to a robust multiheaded phenotype when knocked-down in Hydra, acting as a transcriptional repressor of Wnt3 and positively regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Hydra and zebrafish Sp5 repress Wnt3 promoter activity while Hydra Sp5 also activates its own expression, likely via β-catenin/TCF interaction. This work identifies Sp5 as a potent feedback loop inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a function conserved across eumetazoan evolution. Hydra regenerate various body parts on amputation by activation of the appropriate organiser, but how head formation is controlled is unclear. Here, the authors identify the transcription factor Sp5 as restricting head formation, by being activated by beta-catenin and then acting as a repressor of Wnt3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias C Vogg
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Beccari
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Laura Iglesias Ollé
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Christine Rampon
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Biologie (CIRB), CNRS UMR 7241/INSERM U1050/Collège de France, 11, Place Marcelin Berthelot, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biology Department, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France.,PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Vriz
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Biologie (CIRB), CNRS UMR 7241/INSERM U1050/Collège de France, 11, Place Marcelin Berthelot, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biology Department, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France.,PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Chrystelle Perruchoud
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Wenger
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Regeneration of lost body parts is essential to regain the fitness of the organism for successful living. In the animal kingdom, organisms from different clades exhibit varied regeneration abilities. Hydra is one of the few organisms that possess tremendous regeneration potential, capable of regenerating complete organism from small tissue fragments or even from dissociated cells. This peculiar property has made this genus one of the most invaluable model organisms for understanding the process of regeneration. Multiple studies in Hydra led to the current understanding of gross morphological changes, basic cellular dynamics, and the role of molecular signalling such as the Wnt signalling pathway. However, cell-to-cell communication by cell adhesion, role of extracellular components such as extracellular matrix (ECM), and nature of cell types that contribute to the regeneration process need to be explored in depth. Additionally, roles of developmental signalling pathways need to be elucidated to enable more comprehensive understanding of regeneration in Hydra. Further research on cross communication among extracellular, cellular, and molecular signalling in Hydra will advance the field of regeneration biology. Here, we present a review of the existing literature on Hydra regeneration biology and outline the future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Akhila Gungi
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manu Unni
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Microinjection to deliver protein, mRNA, and DNA into zygotes of the cnidarian endosymbiosis model Aiptasia sp. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16437. [PMID: 30401930 PMCID: PMC6219564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34773-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals depend on an intracellular symbiosis with photosynthetic dinoflagellates for their survival in nutrient-poor oceans. Symbionts are phagocytosed by coral larvae from the environment and transfer essential nutrients to their hosts. Aiptasia, a small tropical marine sea anemone, is emerging as a tractable model system for coral symbiosis; however, to date functional tools and genetic transformation are lacking. Here we have established an efficient workflow to collect Aiptasia eggs for in vitro fertilization and microinjection as the basis for experimental manipulations in the developing embryo and larvae. We demonstrate that protein, mRNA, and DNA can successfully be injected into live Aiptasia zygotes to label actin with recombinant Lifeact-eGFP protein; to label nuclei and cell membranes with NLS-eGFP and farnesylated mCherry translated from injected mRNA; and to transiently drive transgene expression from an Aiptasia-specific promoter, respectively, in embryos and larvae. These proof-of-concept approaches pave the way for future functional studies of development and symbiosis establishment in Aiptasia, a powerful model to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying intracellular coral-algal symbiosis.
Collapse
|
47
|
Lommel M, Strompen J, Hellewell AL, Balasubramanian GP, Christofidou ED, Thomson AR, Boyle AL, Woolfson DN, Puglisi K, Hartl M, Holstein TW, Adams JC, Özbek S. Hydra Mesoglea Proteome Identifies Thrombospondin as a Conserved Component Active in Head Organizer Restriction. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11753. [PMID: 30082916 PMCID: PMC6079037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30035-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombospondins (TSPs) are multidomain glycoproteins with complex matricellular functions in tissue homeostasis and remodeling. We describe a novel role of TSP as a Wnt signaling target in the basal eumetazoan Hydra. Proteome analysis identified Hydra magnipapillata TSP (HmTSP) as a major component of the cnidarian mesoglea. In general, the domain organization of cnidarian TSPs is related to the pentameric TSPs of bilaterians, and in phylogenetic analyses cnidarian TSPs formed a separate clade of high sequence diversity. HmTSP expression in polyps was restricted to the hypostomal tip and tentacle bases that harbor Wnt-regulated organizer tissues. In the hypostome, HmTSP- and Wnt3-expressing cells were identical or in close vicinity to each other, and regions of ectopic tentacle formation induced by pharmacological β-Catenin activation (Alsterpaullone) corresponded to foci of HmTSP expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) confirmed binding of Hydra TCF to conserved elements in the HmTSP promotor region. Accordingly, β-Catenin knockdown by siRNAs reduced normal HmTSP expression at the head organizer. In contrast, knockdown of HmTSP expression led to increased numbers of ectopic organizers in Alsterpaullone-treated animals, indicating a negative regulatory function. Our data suggest an unexpected role for HmTSP as a feedback inhibitor of Wnt signaling during Hydra body axis patterning and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lommel
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Strompen
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew L Hellewell
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Gnana Prakash Balasubramanian
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,G200 Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Institute (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elena D Christofidou
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrew R Thomson
- School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland
| | - Aimee L Boyle
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.,School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK.,Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, POB 9502, NL-2300, RA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.,School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Kane Puglisi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Hartl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas W Holstein
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josephine C Adams
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Suat Özbek
- University of Heidelberg, Centre for Organismal Studies, Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
TGF-β family ligands function in inducing and patterning many tissues of the early vertebrate embryonic body plan. Nodal signaling is essential for the specification of mesendodermal tissues and the concurrent cellular movements of gastrulation. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling patterns tissues along the dorsal-ventral axis and simultaneously directs the cell movements of convergence and extension. After gastrulation, a second wave of Nodal signaling breaks the symmetry between the left and right sides of the embryo. During these processes, elaborate regulatory feedback between TGF-β ligands and their antagonists direct the proper specification and patterning of embryonic tissues. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the function and regulation of TGF-β family signaling in these processes. Although we cover principles that are involved in the development of all vertebrate embryos, we focus specifically on three popular model organisms: the mouse Mus musculus, the African clawed frog of the genus Xenopus, and the zebrafish Danio rerio, highlighting the similarities and differences between these species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Zinski
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Benjamin Tajer
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Mary C Mullins
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Dunn FS, Liu AG, Donoghue PCJ. Ediacaran developmental biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:914-932. [PMID: 29105292 PMCID: PMC5947158 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Rocks of the Ediacaran System (635-541 Ma) preserve fossil evidence of some of the earliest complex macroscopic organisms, many of which have been interpreted as animals. However, the unusual morphologies of some of these organisms have made it difficult to resolve their biological relationships to modern metazoan groups. Alternative competing phylogenetic interpretations have been proposed for Ediacaran taxa, including algae, fungi, lichens, rhizoid protists, and even an extinct higher-order group (Vendobionta). If a metazoan affinity can be demonstrated for these organisms, as advocated by many researchers, they could prove informative in debates concerning the evolution of the metazoan body axis, the making and breaking of axial symmetries, and the appearance of a metameric body plan. Attempts to decipher members of the enigmatic Ediacaran macrobiota have largely involved study of morphology: comparative analysis of their developmental phases has received little attention. Here we present what is known of ontogeny across the three iconic Ediacaran taxa Charnia masoni, Dickinsonia costata and Pteridinium simplex, together with new ontogenetic data and insights. We use these data and interpretations to re-evaluate the phylogenetic position of the broader Ediacaran morphogroups to which these taxa are considered to belong (rangeomorphs, dickinsoniomorphs and erniettomorphs). We conclude, based on the available evidence, that the affinities of the rangeomorphs and the dickinsoniomorphs lie within Metazoa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances S. Dunn
- School of Earth SciencesUniversity of BristolLife Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BristolBS8 1TQU.K.
- British Geological SurveyNicker Hill, Keyworth, NottinghamNG12 5GGU.K.
| | - Alexander G. Liu
- School of Earth SciencesUniversity of BristolLife Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BristolBS8 1TQU.K.
| | - Philip C. J. Donoghue
- School of Earth SciencesUniversity of BristolLife Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BristolBS8 1TQU.K.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Hill CS. Spatial and temporal control of NODAL signaling. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 51:50-57. [PMID: 29153705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development is orchestrated by the activity of signal transduction pathways, amongst which are those downstream of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family. Here I focus on signalling by one of these ligands, NODAL, which is essential for early embryonic axis patterning. I review recent advances in our understanding of how NODAL signalling is transduced from the plasma membrane to the nucleus to regulate the transcription of target genes, and how domains of NODAL activity are established and refined during embryonic development. The duration of signalling is emerging as a key determinant of the specificity of downstream responses in terms of cell fate decisions and I will discuss what is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Hill
- Developmental Signalling Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|