1
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Johnson HK, Wahl SE, Sesay F, Litovchick L, Dickinson AJ. Dyrk1a is required for craniofacial development in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2024; 511:63-75. [PMID: 38621649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Loss of function variations in the dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1 A (DYRK1A) gene are associated with craniofacial malformations in humans. Here we characterized the effects of deficient DYRK1A in craniofacial development using a developmental model, Xenopus laevis. Dyrk1a mRNA and protein were expressed throughout the developing head and both were enriched in the branchial arches which contribute to the face and jaw. Consistently, reduced Dyrk1a function, using dyrk1a morpholinos and pharmacological inhibitors, resulted in orofacial malformations including hypotelorism, altered mouth shape, slanted eyes, and narrower face accompanied by smaller jaw cartilage and muscle. Inhibition of Dyrk1a function resulted in misexpression of key craniofacial regulators including transcription factors and members of the retinoic acid signaling pathway. Two such regulators, sox9 and pax3 are required for neural crest development and their decreased expression corresponds with smaller neural crest domains within the branchial arches. Finally, we determined that the smaller size of the faces, jaw elements and neural crest domains in embryos deficient in Dyrk1a could be explained by increased cell death and decreased proliferation. This study is the first to provide insight into why craniofacial birth defects might arise in humans with variants of DYRK1A.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stacey E Wahl
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Fatmata Sesay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Larisa Litovchick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, USA
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2
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Sheng H, Liu R, Li Q, Lin Z, He Y, Blum TS, Zhao H, Tang X, Wang W, Jin L, Wang Z, Hsiao E, Le Floch P, Shen H, Lee AJ, Jonas-Closs RA, Briggs J, Liu S, Solomon D, Wang X, Lu N, Liu J. Brain implantation of tissue-level-soft bioelectronics via embryonic development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596533. [PMID: 38853924 PMCID: PMC11160708 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The design of bioelectronics capable of stably tracking brain-wide, single-cell, and millisecond-resolved neural activities in the developing brain is critical to the study of neuroscience and neurodevelopmental disorders. During development, the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the vertebrate brain arises from a 2D neural plate 1,2 . These large morphological changes previously posed a challenge for implantable bioelectronics to track neural activity throughout brain development 3-9 . Here, we present a tissue-level-soft, sub-micrometer-thick, stretchable mesh microelectrode array capable of integrating into the embryonic neural plate of vertebrates by leveraging the 2D-to-3D reconfiguration process of the tissue itself. Driven by the expansion and folding processes of organogenesis, the stretchable mesh electrode array deforms, stretches, and distributes throughout the entire brain, fully integrating into the 3D tissue structure. Immunostaining, gene expression analysis, and behavioral testing show no discernible impact on brain development or function. The embedded electrode array enables long-term, stable, brain-wide, single-unit-single-spike-resolved electrical mapping throughout brain development, illustrating how neural electrical activities and population dynamics emerge and evolve during brain development.
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3
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Leggere JC, Hibbard JV, Papoulas O, Lee C, Pearson CG, Marcotte EM, Wallingford JB. Label-free proteomic comparison reveals ciliary and nonciliary phenotypes of IFT-A mutants. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar39. [PMID: 38170584 PMCID: PMC10916875 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-03-0084] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
DIFFRAC is a powerful method for systematically comparing proteome content and organization between samples in a high-throughput manner. By subjecting control and experimental protein extracts to native chromatography and quantifying the contents of each fraction using mass spectrometry, it enables the quantitative detection of alterations to protein complexes and abundances. Here, we applied DIFFRAC to investigate the consequences of genetic loss of Ift122, a subunit of the intraflagellar transport-A (IFT-A) protein complex that plays a vital role in the formation and function of cilia and flagella, on the proteome of Tetrahymena thermophila. A single DIFFRAC experiment was sufficient to detect changes in protein behavior that mirrored known effects of IFT-A loss and revealed new biology. We uncovered several novel IFT-A-regulated proteins, which we validated through live imaging in Xenopus multiciliated cells, shedding new light on both the ciliary and non-ciliary functions of IFT-A. Our findings underscore the robustness of DIFFRAC for revealing proteomic changes in response to genetic or biochemical perturbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle C. Leggere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
| | - Jaime V.K. Hibbard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
| | - Ophelia Papoulas
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
| | - Chanjae Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
| | - Chad G. Pearson
- Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Edward M. Marcotte
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
| | - John B. Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712
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4
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Pade LR, Lombard-Banek C, Li J, Nemes P. Dilute to Enrich for Deeper Proteomics: A Yolk-Depleted Carrier for Limited Populations of Embryonic (Frog) Cells. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:692-703. [PMID: 37994825 PMCID: PMC10872351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Abundant proteins challenge deep mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of the proteome. Yolk, the source of food in many developing vertebrate embryos, complicates chemical separation and interferes with detection. We report here a strategy that enhances bottom-up proteomics in yolk-laden specimens by diluting the interferences using a yolk-depleted carrier (YODEC) proteome via isobaric multiplexing quantification. This method was tested on embryos of the South African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis), where a >90% yolk proteome content challenges deep proteomics. As a proof of concept, we isolated neural and epidermal fated cell clones from the embryo by dissection or fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Compared with the standard multiplexing carrier approach, YODEC more than doubled the detectable X. laevis proteome, identifying 5,218 proteins from D11 cell clones dissected from the embryo. Ca. ∼80% of the proteins were quantified without dropouts in any of the analytical channels. YODEC with high-pH fractionation quantified 3,133 proteins from ∼8,000 V11 cells that were sorted from ca. 2 embryos (1.5 μg total, or 150 ng yolk-free proteome), marking a 15-fold improvement in proteome coverage vs the standard proteomics approach. About 60% of these proteins were only quantifiable by YODEC, including molecular adaptors, transporters, translation, and transcription factors. While this study was tailored to limited populations of Xenopus cells, we anticipate the approach of "dilute to enrich" using a depleted carrier proteome to be adaptable to other biological models in which abundant proteins challenge deep MS proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena R. Pade
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
| | - Camille Lombard-Banek
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
| | - Peter Nemes
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742
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5
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Tam BM, Taylor JS, Moritz OL. Identification and cellular localization in Xenopus laevis photoreceptors of three Peripherin-2 family members, Prph2, Rom1 and Gp2l, which arose from gene duplication events in the common ancestors of jawed vertebrates. Exp Eye Res 2024; 239:109760. [PMID: 38158174 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Rod and cone photoreceptors are named for the distinct morphologies of their outer segment organelles, which are either cylindrical or conical, respectively. The morphologies of the stacked disks that comprise the rod and cone outer segments also differ: rod disks are completely sealed and are discontinuous from the plasma membrane, while cone disks remain partially open to the extracellular space. These morphological differences between photoreceptor types are more prominent in non-mammalian vertebrates, whose cones typically possess a greater proportion of open disks and are more tapered in shape. In mammals, the tetraspanin prph2 generates and maintains the highly curved disk rim regions by forming extended oligomeric structures with itself and a structurally similar paralog, rom1. Here we determined that in addition to these two proteins, there is a third Prph2 family paralog in most non-mammalian vertebrate species, including X. laevis: Glycoprotein 2-like protein or "Gp2l". A survey of multiple genome databases revealed a single invertebrate Prph2 'pro-ortholog' in Amphioxus, several echinoderms and in a diversity of protostomes indicating an ancient divergence from other tetraspanins. Based on phylogenetic analysis, duplication of the vertebrate predecessor likely gave rise to the Gp2l and Prph2/Rom1 clades, with a further duplication distinguishing the Prph2 and Rom1 clades. Mammals have lost Gp2l and their Rom1 has undergone a period of accelerated evolution such that it has lost several features that are retained in non-mammalian vertebrate Rom1. Specifically, Prph2, Gp2l and non-mammalian Rom1 encode proteins with consensus N-linked glycosylation and outer segment localization signals; mammalian rom1 lacks these motifs. We determined that X. laevis gp2l is expressed exclusively in cones and green rods, while X. laevis rom1 is expressed exclusively in rods, and prph2 is present in both rods and cones. The presence of three Prph2-related genes with distinct expression patterns as well as the rapid evolution of mammalian Rom1, may contribute to the more pronounced differences in morphology between rod and cone outer segments and rod and cone disks observed in non-mammalian versus mammalian vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice M Tam
- University of British Columbia, Dept of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Canada
| | | | - Orson L Moritz
- University of British Columbia, Dept of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Canada.
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6
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Mochii M, Akizuki K, Ossaka H, Kagawa N, Umesono Y, Suzuki KIT. A CRISPR-Cas9-mediated versatile method for targeted integration of a fluorescent protein gene to visualize endogenous gene expression in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2024; 506:42-51. [PMID: 38052295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus laevis is a widely used model organism in developmental and regeneration studies. Despite several reports regarding targeted integration techniques in Xenopus, there is still room for improvement of them, especially in creating reporter lines that rely on endogenous regulatory enhancers/promoters. We developed a CRISPR-Cas9-based simple method to efficiently introduce a fluorescent protein gene into 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) of target genes in Xenopus laevis. A donor plasmid DNA encoding an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) flanked by a genomic fragment ranging from 66 bp to 878 bp including target 5'UTR was co-injected into fertilized eggs with a single guide RNA and Cas9 protein. Injections for krt12.2.L, myod1.S, sox2.L or brevican.S resulted in embryos expressing eGFP fluorescence in a tissue-specific manner, recapitulating endogenous expression of target genes. Integrations of the donor DNA into the target regions were examined by genotyping PCR for the eGFP-expressing embryos. The rate of embryos expressing the specific eGFP varied from 2.1% to 13.2% depending on the target locus and length of the genomic fragment in the donor plasmids. Germline transmission of an integrated DNA was observed. This simple method provides a powerful tool for exploring gene expression and function in developmental and regeneration research in X. laevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Mochii
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akougun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan.
| | - Kai Akizuki
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akougun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Hero Ossaka
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akougun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Norie Kagawa
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akougun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Umesono
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akougun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Emerging Model Organisms Facility, Trans-scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
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7
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Sun J, Noss S, Banerjee D, Das M, Girirajan S. Strategies for dissecting the complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders. Trends Genet 2024; 40:187-202. [PMID: 37949722 PMCID: PMC10872993 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are associated with a wide range of clinical features, affecting multiple pathways involved in brain development and function. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have unveiled numerous genetic variants associated with NDDs, which further contribute to disease complexity and make it challenging to infer disease causation and underlying mechanisms. Herein, we review current strategies for dissecting the complexity of NDDs using model organisms, induced pluripotent stem cells, single-cell sequencing technologies, and massively parallel reporter assays. We further highlight single-cell CRISPR-based screening techniques that allow genomic investigation of cellular transcriptomes with high efficiency, accuracy, and throughput. Overall, we provide an integrated review of experimental approaches that can be applicable for investigating a broad range of complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawan Sun
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Serena Noss
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepro Banerjee
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Maitreya Das
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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8
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Johnson HK, Wahl SE, Sesay F, Litovchick L, Dickinson AJ. Dyrk1a is required for craniofacial development in Xenopus laevis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.13.575394. [PMID: 38260562 PMCID: PMC10802584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.13.575394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Loss of function mutations in the dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) gene are associated with craniofacial malformations in humans. Here we characterized the effects of deficient DYRK1A in craniofacial development using a developmental model, Xenopus laevis . Dyrk1a mRNA and protein was expressed throughout the developing head and was enriched in the branchial arches which contribute to the face and jaw. Consistently, reduced Dyrk1a function, using dyrk1a morpholinos and pharmacological inhibitors, resulted in orofacial malformations including hypotelorism, altered mouth shape, slanted eyes, and narrower face accompanied by smaller jaw cartilage and muscle. Inhibition of Dyrk1a function resulted in misexpression of key craniofacial regulators including transcription factors and members of the retinoic acid signaling pathway. Two such regulators, sox9 and pax3 are required for neural crest development and their decreased expression corresponds with smaller neural crest domains within the branchial arches. Finally, we determined that the smaller size of the faces, jaw elements and neural crest domains in embryos deficient in Dyrk1a could be explained by increased cell death and decreased proliferation. This study is the first to provide insight into why craniofacial birth defects might arise in humans with DYRK1A mutations.
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9
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Croydon-Veleslavov IA, Stumpf MPH. Repeated Decision Stumping Distils Simple Rules from Single-Cell Data. J Comput Biol 2024; 31:21-40. [PMID: 38170180 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2021.0613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell data afford unprecedented insights into molecular processes. But the complexity and size of these data sets have proved challenging and given rise to a large armory of statistical and machine learning approaches. The majority of approaches focuses on either describing features of these data, or making predictions and classifying unlabeled samples. In this study, we introduce repeated decision stumping (ReDX) as a method to distill simple models from single-cell data. We develop decision trees of depth one-hence "stumps"-to identify in an inductive manner, gene products involved in driving cell fate transitions, and in applications to published data we are able to discover the key players involved in these processes in an unbiased manner without prior knowledge. Our algorithm is deliberately targeting the simplest possible candidate hypotheses that can be extracted from complex high-dimensional data. There are three reasons for this: (1) the predictions become straightforwardly testable hypotheses; (2) the identified candidates form the basis for further mechanistic model development, for example, for engineering and synthetic biology interventions; and (3) this approach complements existing descriptive modeling approaches and frameworks. The approach is computationally efficient, has remarkable predictive power, including in simulation studies where the ground truth is known, and yields robust and statistically stable predictors; the same set of candidates is generated by applying the algorithm to different subsamples of experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A Croydon-Veleslavov
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P H Stumpf
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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10
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Nakajima K, Tazawa I, Furuno N. Generation of translucent Xenopus tropicalis through triple knockout of pigmentation genes. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:591-598. [PMID: 37750430 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians generally have three types of pigment cells, namely, melanophores (black and brown), xanthophores (yellow and red), and iridophores (iridescent). Single knockout of the tyr, slc2a7, and hps6 genes in Xenopus tropicalis results in the absence of melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores, respectively. The generation of triple- knockout (3KO) X. tropicalis for these three genes could allow for observation of internal organs without sacrificing the animals, which would be transparent due to the absence of pigments. In this study, we generated 3KO X. tropicalis, which is one of the most widely used model amphibians, through crossing of a slc2a7 single-knockout frog with a tyr and hps6 double-knockout frog, followed by intercrossing of their offspring. The 3KO tadpoles had transparent bodies like the nop mutant and the frogs had translucent bodies. This translucency allowed us to observe the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and digestive tract through the ventral body skin without surgery. After intravital staining, 3KO X. tropicalis showed much clearer fluorescent signals of mineralized tissues compared with the wild type. These 3KO X. tropicalis provide a useful mutant line for continuous observation of internal organs and fluorescent signals in the body. In particular, such 3KO frogs would revolutionize fluorescence monitoring in transgenic tadpoles and frogs expressing fluorescent proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Nakajima
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Ichiro Tazawa
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Furuno
- Division of Embryology, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
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11
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Adashev VE, Kotov AA, Olenina LV. RNA Helicase Vasa as a Multifunctional Conservative Regulator of Gametogenesis in Eukaryotes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5677-5705. [PMID: 37504274 PMCID: PMC10378496 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Being a conservative marker of germ cells across metazoan species, DEAD box RNA helicase Vasa (DDX4) remains the subject of worldwide investigations thanks to its multiple functional manifestations. Vasa takes part in the preformation of primordial germ cells in a group of organisms and contributes to the maintenance of germline stem cells. Vasa is an essential player in the piRNA-mediated silencing of harmful genomic elements and in the translational regulation of selected mRNAs. Vasa is the top hierarchical protein of germ granules, liquid droplet organelles that compartmentalize RNA processing factors. Here, we survey current advances and problems in the understanding of the multifaceted functions of Vasa proteins in the gametogenesis of different eukaryotic organisms, from nematodes to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir E Adashev
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei A Kotov
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila V Olenina
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms for Realization of Genetic Information, Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of Animals, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Williams T, Salmanian G, Burns M, Maldonado V, Smith E, Porter RM, Song YH, Samsonraj RM. Versatility of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in tissue repair and regenerative applications. Biochimie 2023; 207:33-48. [PMID: 36427681 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent somatic cells that have been widely explored in the field of regenerative medicine. MSCs possess the ability to secrete soluble factors as well as lipid bound extracellular vesicles (EVs). MSCs have gained increased interest and attention as a result of their therapeutic properties, which are thought to be attributed to their secretome. However, while the use of MSCs as whole cells pose heterogeneity concerns and survival issues post-transplantation, such limitations are absent in cell-free EV-based treatments. EVs derived from MSCs are promising therapeutic agents for a range of clinical conditions and disorders owing to their immunomodulatory, pro-regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activity. Recent successes with preclinical studies using EVs for repair and regeneration of damaged tissues such as cardiac tissue, lung, liver, pancreas, bone, skin, cornea, and blood diseases are discussed in this review. We also discuss delivery strategies of EVs using biomaterials as delivery vehicles through systemic or local administration. Despite its effectiveness in preclinical investigations, the application of MSC-EV in clinical settings will necessitate careful consideration surrounding issues such as: i) scalability and isolation, ii) biodistribution, iii) targeting specific tissues, iv) quantification and characterization, and v) safety and efficacy of dosage. The future of EVs in regenerative medicine is promising yet still needs further investigation on enhancing the efficacy, scalability, and potency for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Ghazaleh Salmanian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Morgan Burns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Vitali Maldonado
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Emma Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Ryan M Porter
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Young Hye Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Rebekah Margaret Samsonraj
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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13
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Frölich S, van der Sande M, Schäfers T, van Heeringen SJ. genomepy: genes and genomes at your fingertips. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:7070503. [PMID: 36882164 PMCID: PMC10017095 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad119] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Analyzing a functional genomics experiment, such as ATAC-, ChIP-, or RNA-sequencing, requires genomic resources such as a reference genome assembly and gene annotation. These data can generally be retrieved from different organizations and in different versions. Most bioinformatic workflows require the user to supply this genomic data manually, which can be a tedious and error-prone process. RESULTS Here, we present genomepy, which can search, download, and preprocess the right genomic data for your analysis. Genomepy can search genomic data on NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC, and GENCODE, and inspect available gene annotations to enable an informed decision. The selected genome and gene annotation can be downloaded and preprocessed with sensible, yet controllable, defaults. Additional supporting data can be automatically generated or downloaded, such as aligner indexes, genome metadata, and blacklists. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Genomepy is freely available at https://github.com/vanheeringen-lab/genomepy under the MIT license and can be installed through pip or Bioconda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siebren Frölich
- Corresponding author. Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands. E-mail: (S.H.); (S.J.v.H.)
| | - Maarten van der Sande
- Radboud University, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman Schäfers
- Radboud University, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Simon J van Heeringen
- Corresponding author. Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands. E-mail: (S.H.); (S.J.v.H.)
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14
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Grand K, Stoltz M, Rizzo L, Röck R, Kaminski MM, Salinas G, Getwan M, Naert T, Pichler R, Lienkamp SS. HNF1B Alters an Evolutionarily Conserved Nephrogenic Program of Target Genes. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:412-432. [PMID: 36522156 PMCID: PMC10103355 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 β ( HNF1B ) are the most common monogenic causes of congenital renal malformations. HNF1B is necessary to directly reprogram fibroblasts to induced renal tubule epithelial cells (iRECs) and, as we demonstrate, can induce ectopic pronephric tissue in Xenopus ectodermal organoids. Using these two systems, we analyzed the effect of HNF1B mutations found in patients with cystic dysplastic kidney disease. We found cross-species conserved targets of HNF1B, identified transcripts that are differentially regulated by the patient-specific mutant protein, and functionally validated novel HNF1B targets in vivo . These results highlight evolutionarily conserved transcriptional mechanisms and provide insights into the genetic circuitry of nephrogenesis. BACKGROUND Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 β (HNF1B) is an essential transcription factor during embryogenesis. Mutations in HNF1B are the most common monogenic causes of congenital cystic dysplastic renal malformations. The direct functional consequences of mutations in HNF1B on its transcriptional activity are unknown. METHODS Direct reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts to induced renal tubular epithelial cells was conducted both with wild-type HNF1B and with patient mutations. HNF1B was expressed in Xenopus ectodermal explants. Transcriptomic analysis by bulk RNA-Seq identified conserved targets with differentially regulated expression by the wild-type or R295C mutant. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in Xenopus embryos evaluated transcriptional targets in vivo . RESULTS HNF1B is essential for reprogramming mouse fibroblasts to induced renal tubular epithelial cells and induces development of ectopic renal organoids from pluripotent Xenopus cells. The mutation R295C retains reprogramming and inductive capacity but alters the expression of specific sets of downstream target genes instead of diminishing overall transcriptional activity of HNF1B. Surprisingly, targets associated with polycystic kidney disease were less affected than genes affected in congenital renal anomalies. Cross-species-conserved transcriptional targets were dysregulated in hnf1b CRISPR-depleted Xenopus embryos, confirming their dependence on hnf1b . CONCLUSIONS HNF1B activates an evolutionarily conserved program of target genes that disease-causing mutations selectively disrupt. These findings provide insights into the renal transcriptional network that controls nephrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Grand
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martine Stoltz
- The University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludovica Rizzo
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Röck
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael M. Kaminski
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Maike Getwan
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Naert
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roman Pichler
- The University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Soeren S. Lienkamp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- The University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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15
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Mohideen AMSH, Johansen SD, Babiak I. mtR_find: A Parallel Processing Tool to Identify and Annotate RNAs Derived from the Mitochondrial Genome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054373. [PMID: 36901804 PMCID: PMC10001721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
RNAs originating from mitochondrial genomes are abundant in transcriptomic datasets produced by high-throughput sequencing technologies, primarily in short-read outputs. Specific features of mitochondrial small RNAs (mt-sRNAs), such as non-templated additions, presence of length variants, sequence variants, and other modifications, necessitate the need for the development of an appropriate tool for their effective identification and annotation. We have developed mtR_find, a tool to detect and annotate mitochondrial RNAs, including mt-sRNAs and mitochondria-derived long non-coding RNAs (mt-lncRNA). mtR_find uses a novel method to compute the count of RNA sequences from adapter-trimmed reads. When analyzing the published datasets with mtR_find, we identified mt-sRNAs significantly associated with the health conditions, such as hepatocellular carcinoma and obesity, and we discovered novel mt-sRNAs. Furthermore, we identified mt-lncRNAs in early development in mice. These examples show the immediate impact of miR_find in extracting a novel biological information from the existing sequencing datasets. For benchmarking, the tool has been tested on a simulated dataset and the results were concordant. For accurate annotation of mitochondria-derived RNA, particularly mt-sRNA, we developed an appropriate nomenclature. mtR_find encompasses the mt-ncRNA transcriptomes in unpreceded resolution and simplicity, allowing re-analysis of the existing transcriptomic databases and the use of mt-ncRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic markers in the field of medicine.
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16
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Kuriyama S, Tanaka M. Characteristic tetraspanin expression patterns mark various tissues during early Xenopus development. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:109-119. [PMID: 36606534 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12836] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The tetraspanins (Tspans) constitute a family of cell surface proteins with four transmembrane domains. Tspans have been found on the plasma membrane and on exosomes of various organelles. Reports on the function of Tspans during the early development of Xenopus have mainly focused on the expression of uroplakins in gametes. Although the roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) including exosomes have been actively analyzed in cancer research, the contribution of EVs to early development is not well understood. This is because the diffusivity of EVs is not compatible with a very strict developmental process. In this study, we analyzed members of the Tspan family in early development of Xenopus. Expression was prominent in specific organs such as the notochord, eye, cranial neural crest cells (CNCs), trunk neural crest cells, placodes, and somites. We overexpressed several combinations of Tspans in CNCs in vitro and in vivo. Changing the partner changed the distribution of fluorescent-labeled Tspans. Therefore, it is suggested that expression of multiple Tspans in a particular tissue might produce heterogeneity of intercellular communication, which has not yet been recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sei Kuriyama
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry, Akita University, Akita, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry, Akita University, Akita, Japan
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17
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Shan Z, Li S, Yu C, Bai S, Zhang J, Tang Y, Wang Y, Irwin DM, Li J, Wang Z. Embryonic and skeletal development of the albino African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). J Anat 2023; 242:1051-1066. [PMID: 36708289 PMCID: PMC10184547 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13835] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The normal stages of embryonic development for wild-type Xenopus laevis were established by Nieuwkoop and Faber in 1956, a milestone in the history of understanding embryonic development. However, this work lacked photographic images and staining for skeleton structures from the corresponding stages. Here, we provide high-quality images of embryonic morphology and skeleton development to facilitate studies on amphibian development. On the basis of the classical work, we selected the albino mutant of X. laevis as the observation material to restudy embryonic development in this species. The lower level of pigmentation makes it easier to interpret histochemical experiments. At 23°C, albino embryos develop at the same rate as wild-type embryos, which can be divided into 66 stages as they develop into adults in about 58 days. We described the complete embryonic development system for X. laevis, supplemented with pictures of limb and skeleton development that are missing from previous studies, and summarized the characteristics and laws of limb and skeleton development. Our study should aid research into the development of X. laevis and the evolution of amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Shan
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenghua Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shibin Bai
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Junpeng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yining Tang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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18
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Understanding the Role of ATP Release through Connexins Hemichannels during Neurulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032159. [PMID: 36768481 PMCID: PMC9916920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032159] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurulation is a crucial process in the formation of the central nervous system (CNS), which begins with the folding and fusion of the neural plate, leading to the generation of the neural tube and subsequent development of the brain and spinal cord. Environmental and genetic factors that interfere with the neurulation process promote neural tube defects (NTDs). Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins that form gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) in vertebrates, allowing cell-cell (GJ) or paracrine (HCs) communication through the release of ATP, glutamate, and NAD+; regulating processes such as cell migration and synaptic transmission. Changes in the state of phosphorylation and/or the intracellular redox potential activate the opening of HCs in different cell types. Cxs such as Cx43 and Cx32 have been associated with proliferation and migration at different stages of CNS development. Here, using molecular and cellular biology techniques (permeability), we demonstrate the expression and functionality of HCs-Cxs, including Cx46 and Cx32, which are associated with the release of ATP during the neurulation process in Xenopus laevis. Furthermore, applications of FGF2 and/or changes in intracellular redox potentials (DTT), well known HCs-Cxs modulators, transiently regulated the ATP release in our model. Importantly, the blockade of HCs-Cxs by carbenoxolone (CBX) and enoxolone (ENX) reduced ATP release with a concomitant formation of NTDs. We propose two possible and highly conserved binding sites (N and E) in Cx46 that may mediate the pharmacological effect of CBX and ENX on the formation of NTDs. In summary, our results highlight the importance of ATP release mediated by HCs-Cxs during neurulation.
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19
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Sterner ZR, Jabrah A, Shaidani NI, Horb ME, Dockery R, Paul B, Buchholz DR. Development and metamorphosis in frogs deficient in the thyroid hormone transporter MCT8. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 331:114179. [PMID: 36427548 PMCID: PMC9771991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Precisely regulated thyroid hormone (TH) signaling within tissues during frog metamorphosis gives rise to the organism-wide coordination of developmental events among organs required for survival. This TH signaling is controlled by multiple cellular mechanisms, including TH transport across the plasma membrane. A highly specific TH transporter has been identified, namely monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8), which facilitates uptake and efflux of TH and is differentially and dynamically expressed among tissues during metamorphosis. We hypothesized that loss of MCT8 would alter tissue sensitivity to TH and affect the timing of tissue transformation. To address this, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce frameshift mutations inslc16a2, the gene encoding MCT8, inXenopus laevis. We produced homozygous mutant tadpoles with a 29-bp mutation in the l-chromosome and a 20-bp mutation in the S-chromosome. We found that MCT8 mutants survive metamorphosis with normal growth and development of external morphology throughout the larval period. Consistent with this result, the expression of the pituitary hormone regulating TH plasma levels (tshb) was similar among genotypes as was TH response gene expression in brain at metamorphic climax. Further, delayed initiation of limb outgrowth during natural metamorphosis and reduced hindlimb and tail TH sensitivity were not observed in MCT8 mutants. In sum, we did not observe an effect on TH-dependent development in MCT8 mutants, suggesting compensatory TH transport occurs in tadpole tissues, as seen in most tissues in all model organisms examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Sterner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Ayah Jabrah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nikko-Ideen Shaidani
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering and National Xenopus Resource, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Marko E Horb
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering and National Xenopus Resource, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Rejenae Dockery
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Bidisha Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
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20
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Lansdon LA, Dickinson A, Arlis S, Liu H, Hlas A, Hahn A, Bonde G, Long A, Standley J, Tyryshkina A, Wehby G, Lee NR, Daack-Hirsch S, Mohlke K, Girirajan S, Darbro BW, Cornell RA, Houston DW, Murray JC, Manak JR. Genome-wide analysis of copy-number variation in humans with cleft lip and/or cleft palate identifies COBLL1, RIC1, and ARHGEF38 as clefting genes. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:71-91. [PMID: 36493769 PMCID: PMC9892779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common birth defect with a complex, heterogeneous etiology. It is well established that common and rare sequence variants contribute to the formation of CL/P, but the contribution of copy-number variants (CNVs) to cleft formation remains relatively understudied. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a large-scale comparative analysis of genome-wide CNV profiles of 869 individuals from the Philippines and 233 individuals of European ancestry with CL/P with three primary goals: first, to evaluate whether differences in CNV number, amount of genomic content, or amount of coding genomic content existed within clefting subtypes; second, to assess whether CNVs in our cohort overlapped with known Mendelian clefting loci; and third, to identify unestablished Mendelian clefting genes. Significant differences in CNVs across cleft types or in individuals with non-syndromic versus syndromic clefts were not observed; however, several CNVs in our cohort overlapped with known syndromic and non-syndromic Mendelian clefting loci. Moreover, employing a filtering strategy relying on population genetics data that rare variants are on the whole more deleterious than common variants, we identify several CNV-associated gene losses likely driving non-syndromic clefting phenotypes. By prioritizing genes deleted at a rare frequency across multiple individuals with clefts yet enriched in our cohort of individuals with clefts compared to control subjects, we identify COBLL1, RIC1, and ARHGEF38 as clefting genes. CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis of these genes in Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio yielded craniofacial dysmorphologies, including clefts analogous to those seen in human clefting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Lansdon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | | | - Sydney Arlis
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Arman Hlas
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Alyssa Hahn
- Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Greg Bonde
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Abby Long
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jennifer Standley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - George Wehby
- College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Nanette R Lee
- Office of Population Studies Foundation, Inc., University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines
| | | | - Karen Mohlke
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | | | - Benjamin W Darbro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Robert A Cornell
- Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Douglas W Houston
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - J Robert Manak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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21
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Favarolo MB, Revinski DR, Garavaglia MJ, López SL. Nodal and churchill1 position the expression of a notch ligand during Xenopus germ layer segregation. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202201693. [PMID: 36180230 PMCID: PMC9604498 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Churchill and Nodal signaling, which participate in vertebrates’ germ layer induction, position a domain of Delta/Notch activity, which refines germ layer boundaries during frog gastrulation. In vertebrates, Nodal signaling plays a major role in endomesoderm induction, but germ layer delimitation is poorly understood. In avian embryos, the neural/mesoderm boundary is controlled by the transcription factor CHURCHILL1, presumably through the repressor ZEB2, but there is scarce knowledge about its role in other vertebrates. During amphibian gastrulation, Delta/Notch signaling refines germ layer boundaries in the marginal zone, but it is unknown the place this pathway occupies in the network comprising Churchill1 and Nodal. Here, we show that Xenopus churchill1 is expressed in the presumptive neuroectoderm at mid-blastula transition and during gastrulation, upregulates zeb2, prevents dll1 expression in the neuroectoderm, and favors neuroectoderm over endomesoderm development. Nodal signaling prevents dll1 expression in the endoderm but induces it in the presumptive mesoderm, from where it activates Notch1 and its target gene hes4 in the non-involuting marginal zone. We propose a model where Nodal and Churchill1 position Dll1/Notch1/Hes4 domains in the marginal zone, ensuring the delimitation between mesoderm and neuroectoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Favarolo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego R Revinski
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías J Garavaglia
- Laboratorio de Bioinsumos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia L López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina .,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires, Argentina
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22
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Sonam S, Bangru S, Perry KJ, Chembazhi UV, Kalsotra A, Henry JJ. Cellular and molecular profiles of larval and adult Xenopus corneal epithelia resolved at the single-cell level. Dev Biol 2022; 491:13-30. [PMID: 36049533 PMCID: PMC10241109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.007] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells (CESCs) and their proliferative progeny, the Transit Amplifying Cells (TACs), are responsible for homeostasis and maintaining corneal transparency. Owing to our limited knowledge of cell fates and gene activity within the cornea, the search for unique markers to identify and isolate these cells remains crucial for ocular surface reconstruction. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of corneal cells from larval and adult stages of Xenopus. Our results indicate that as the cornea develops and matures, there is an increase in cellular diversity, which is accompanied by a substantial shift in transcriptional profile, gene regulatory network and cell-cell communication dynamics. Our data also reveals several novel genes expressed in corneal cells and changes in gene expression during corneal differentiation at both developmental time-points. Importantly, we identify specific basal cell clusters in both the larval and adult cornea that comprise a relatively undifferentiated cell type and express distinct stem cell markers, which we propose are the putative larval and adult CESCs, respectively. This study offers a detailed atlas of single-cell transcriptomes in the frog cornea. In the future, this work will be useful to elucidate the function of novel genes in corneal epithelial homeostasis, wound healing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Sonam
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Sushant Bangru
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Kimberly J Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Ullas V Chembazhi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
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23
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Hudson DT, Bromell JS, Day RC, McInnes T, Ward JM, Beck CW. Gene expression analysis of the Xenopus laevis early limb bud proximodistal axis. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:1880-1896. [PMID: 35809036 PMCID: PMC9796579 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limb buds develop as bilateral outgrowths of the lateral plate mesoderm and are patterned along three axes. Current models of proximal to distal patterning of early amniote limb buds suggest that two signals, a distal organizing signal from the apical epithelial ridge (AER, Fgfs) and an opposing proximal (retinoic acid [RA]) act early on pattern this axis. RESULTS Transcriptional analysis of stage 51 Xenopus laevis hindlimb buds sectioned along the proximal-distal axis showed that the distal region is distinct from the rest of the limb. Expression of capn8.3, a novel calpain, was located in cells immediately flanking the AER. The Wnt antagonist Dkk1 was AER-specific in Xenopus limbs. Two transcription factors, sall1 and zic5, were expressed in distal mesenchyme. Zic5 has no described association with limb development. We also describe expression of two proximal genes, gata5 and tnn, not previously associated with limb development. Differentially expressed genes were associated with Fgf, Wnt, and RA signaling as well as differential cell adhesion and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS We identify new candidate genes for early proximodistal limb patterning. Our analysis of RA-regulated genes supports a role for transient RA gradients in early limb bud in proximal-to-distal patterning in this anamniote model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. Hudson
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,Oritain GlobalDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Jessica S. Bromell
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand,Dairy Goat Co‐operativeHamiltonNew Zealand
| | - Robert C. Day
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Tyler McInnes
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Joanna M. Ward
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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24
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Portero EP, Pade L, Li J, Choi SB, Nemes P. Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry of Metabolites and Proteins for Systems and Functional Biology. NEUROMETHODS 2022; 184:87-114. [PMID: 36699808 PMCID: PMC9872963 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2525-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Molecular composition is intricately intertwined with cellular function, and elucidation of this relationship is essential for understanding life processes and developing next-generational therapeutics. Technological innovations in capillary electrophoresis (CE) and liquid chromatography (LC) mass spectrometry (MS) provide previously unavailable insights into cellular biochemistry by allowing for the unbiased detection and quantification of molecules with high specificity. This chapter presents our validated protocols integrating ultrasensitive MS with classical tools of cell, developmental, and neurobiology to assess the biological function of important biomolecules. We use CE and LC MS to measure hundreds of metabolites and thousands of proteins in single cells or limited populations of tissues in chordate embryos and mammalian neurons, revealing molecular heterogeneity between identified cells. By pairing microinjection and optical microscopy, we demonstrate cell lineage tracing and testing the roles the dysregulated molecules play in the formation and maintenance of cell heterogeneity and tissue specification in frog embryos (Xenopus laevis). Electrophysiology extends our workflows to characterizing neuronal activity in sections of mammalian brain tissues. The information obtained from these studies mutually strengthen chemistry and biology and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research to advance basic knowledge and translational applications forward.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jie Li
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Sam B. Choi
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Peter Nemes
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742
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25
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Katsumi T, Shams F, Yanagi H, Ohnishi T, Toda M, Lin SM, Mawaribuchi S, Shimizu N, Ezaz T, Miura I. Highly rapid and diverse sex chromosome evolution in the Odorrana frog species complex. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:279-289. [PMID: 35881001 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sex chromosomes in poikilothermal vertebrates are characterized by rapid and diverse evolution at the species or population level. Our previous study revealed that the Taiwanese frog Odorrana swinhoana (2n = 26) has a unique system of multiple sex chromosomes created by three sequential translocations among chromosomes 1, 3, and 7. To reveal the evolutionary history of sex chromosomes in the Odorrana species complex, we first identified the original, homomorphic sex chromosomes, prior to the occurrence of translocations, in the ancestral-type population of O. swinhoana. Then, we extended the investigation to a closely related Japanese species, Odorrana utsunomiyaorum, which is distributed on two small islands. We used a high-throughput nuclear genomic approach to analyze single-nucleotide polymorphisms and identify the sex-linked markers. Those isolated from the O. swinhoana ancestral-type population were found to be aligned to chromosome 1 and showed male heterogamety. In contrast, almost all the sex-linked markers isolated from O. utsunomiyaorum were heterozygous in females and homozygous in males and were aligned to chromosome 9. Morphologically, we confirmed chromosome 9 to be heteromorphic in females, showing a ZZ-ZW sex determination system, in which the W chromosomes were heterochromatinized in a stripe pattern along the chromosome axis. These results indicated that after divergence of the two species, the ancestral homomorphic sex chromosome 1 underwent highly rapid and diverse evolution, i.e., sequential translocations with two autosomes in O. swinhoana, and turnover to chromosome 9 in O. utsunomiyaorum, with a transition from XY to ZW heterogamety and change to heteromorphy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taito Katsumi
- School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Foyez Shams
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Hiroaki Yanagi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Mamoru Toda
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Si-Min Lin
- School of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shuuji Mawaribuchi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Norio Shimizu
- Hiroshima University Museum, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tariq Ezaz
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia
| | - Ikuo Miura
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia.,Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
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26
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Taznin T, Perera K, Gibert Y, Ward AC, Liongue C. Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor 3 (CRLF3) Contributes to Early Zebrafish Hematopoiesis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:910428. [PMID: 35795682 PMCID: PMC9251315 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine receptor-like factor 3 (CRLF3) is an ancient protein conserved across metazoans that contains an archetypal cytokine receptor homology domain (CHD). This domain is found in cytokine receptors present in bilateria, including higher vertebrates, that play key roles in a variety of developmental and homeostatic processes, particularly relating to blood and immune cells. However, understanding of CRLF3 itself remains very limited. This study aimed to investigate this evolutionarily significant protein by studying its embryonic expression and function in early development, particularly of blood and immune cells, using zebrafish as a model. Expression of crlf3 was identified in mesoderm-derived tissues in early zebrafish embryos, including the somitic mesoderm and both anterior and posterior lateral plate mesoderm. Later expression was observed in the thymus, brain, retina and exocrine pancreas. Zebrafish crlf3 mutants generated by genome editing technology exhibited a significant reduction in primitive hematopoiesis and early definitive hematopoiesis, with decreased early progenitors impacting on multiple lineages. No other obvious phenotypes were observed in the crlf3 mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarannum Taznin
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Yann Gibert
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Alister C. Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Clifford Liongue
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Clifford Liongue,
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27
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Miura I, Shams F, Jeffries DL, Katsura Y, Mawaribuchi S, Perrin N, Ito M, Ogata M, Ezaz T. Identification of ancestral sex chromosomes in the frog Glandirana rugosa bearing XX-XY and ZZ-ZW sex-determining systems. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:3859-3870. [PMID: 35691011 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sex chromosomes constantly exist in a dynamic state of evolution: rapid turnover and change of heterogametic sex during homomorphic state, and often stepping out to a heteromorphic state followed by chromosomal decaying. However, the forces driving these different trajectories of sex chromosome evolution are still unclear. The Japanese frog Glandirana rugosa is one taxon well suited to the study on these driving forces. The species has two different heteromorphic sex chromosome systems, XX-XY and ZZ-ZW, which are separated in different geographic populations. Both XX-XY and ZZ-ZW sex chromosomes are represented by chromosome 7 (2n = 26). Phylogenetically, these two systems arose via hybridization between two ancestral lineages of West Japan and East Japan populations, of which sex chromosomes are homomorphic in both sexes and to date have not yet been identified. Identification of the sex chromosomes will give us important insight into the mechanisms of sex chromosome evolution in this species. Here, we used a high-throughput genomic approach to identify the homomorphic XX-XY sex chromosomes in both ancestral populations. Sex-linked DNA markers of West Japan were aligned to chromosome 1, whereas those of East Japan were aligned to chromosome 3. These results reveal that at least two turnovers across three different sex chromosomes 1, 3 and 7 occurred during evolution of this species. This finding raises the possibility that cohabitation of the two different sex chromosomes from ancestral lineages induced turnover to another new one in their hybrids, involving transition of heterogametic sex and evolution from homomorphy to heteromorphy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuo Miura
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.,Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Foyez Shams
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Daniel Lee Jeffries
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yukako Katsura
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Shuuji Mawaribuchi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nicolas Perrin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michihiko Ito
- School of Science, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Ogata
- Preservation and Research Center, City of Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tariq Ezaz
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.,Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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28
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Shibata Y, Suzuki M, Hirose N, Takayama A, Sanbo C, Inoue T, Umesono Y, Agata K, Ueno N, Suzuki KIT, Mochii M. CRISPR/Cas9-based simple transgenesis in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2022; 489:76-83. [PMID: 35690103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic techniques have greatly increased our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of target genes through live reporter imaging, as well as the spatiotemporal function of a gene using loss- and gain-of-function constructs. In Xenopus species, two well-established transgenic methods, restriction enzyme-mediated integration and I-SceI meganuclease-mediated transgenesis, have been used to generate transgenic animals. However, donor plasmids are randomly integrated into the Xenopus genome in both methods. Here, we established a new and simple targeted transgenesis technique based on CRISPR/Cas9 in Xenopus laevis. In this method, Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) targeting a putative harbor site (the transforming growth factor beta receptor 2-like (tgfbr2l) locus) and a preset donor plasmid DNA were co-injected into the one-cell stage embryos of X. laevis. Approximately 10% of faithful reporter expression was detected in F0 crispants in a promoter/enhancer-specific manner. Importantly, efficient germline transmission and stable transgene expression were observed in the F1 offspring. The simplicity of this method only required preparation of a donor vector containing the tgfbr2l genome fragment and Cas9 RNP targeting this site, which are common experimental procedures used in Xenopus laboratories. Our improved technique allows the simple generation of transgenic X. laevis, so is expected to become a powerful tool for reporter assay and gene function analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shibata
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Miyuki Suzuki
- Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nao Hirose
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ayuko Takayama
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Chiaki Sanbo
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Division of Adaptation Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Umesono
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Laboratory of Regeneration Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoto Ueno
- Division of Morphogenesis, Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi T Suzuki
- Center for the Development of New Model Organisms, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Makoto Mochii
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan.
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29
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Ismail V, Zachariassen LG, Godwin A, Sahakian M, Ellard S, Stals KL, Baple E, Brown KT, Foulds N, Wheway G, Parker MO, Lyngby SM, Pedersen MG, Desir J, Bayat A, Musgaard M, Guille M, Kristensen AS, Baralle D. Identification and functional evaluation of GRIA1 missense and truncation variants in individuals with ID: An emerging neurodevelopmental syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1217-1241. [PMID: 35675825 PMCID: PMC9300760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
GRIA1 encodes the GluA1 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels that act as excitatory receptors for the neurotransmitter L-glutamate (Glu). AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are homo- or heteromeric protein complexes with four subunits, each encoded by different genes, GRIA1 to GRIA4. Although GluA1-containing AMPARs have a crucial role in brain function, the human phenotype associated with deleterious GRIA1 sequence variants has not been established. Subjects with de novo missense and nonsense GRIA1 variants were identified through international collaboration. Detailed phenotypic and genetic assessments of the subjects were carried out and the pathogenicity of the variants was evaluated in vitro to characterize changes in AMPAR function and expression. In addition, two Xenopus gria1 CRISPR-Cas9 F0 models were established to characterize the in vivo consequences. Seven unrelated individuals with rare GRIA1 variants were identified. One individual carried a homozygous nonsense variant (p.Arg377Ter), and six had heterozygous missense variations (p.Arg345Gln, p.Ala636Thr, p.Ile627Thr, and p.Gly745Asp), of which the p.Ala636Thr variant was recurrent in three individuals. The cohort revealed subjects to have a recurrent neurodevelopmental disorder mostly affecting cognition and speech. Functional evaluation of major GluA1-containing AMPAR subtypes carrying the GRIA1 variant mutations showed that three of the four missense variants profoundly perturb receptor function. The homozygous stop-gain variant completely destroys the expression of GluA1-containing AMPARs. The Xenopus gria1 models show transient motor deficits, an intermittent seizure phenotype, and a significant impairment to working memory in mutants. These data support a developmental disorder caused by both heterozygous and homozygous variants in GRIA1 affecting AMPAR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardha Ismail
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Anne Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Coxford Rd, Southampton SO165YA, UK
| | - Linda G Zachariassen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annie Godwin
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Mane Sahakian
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sian Ellard
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK; University of Exeter Medical School, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Karen L Stals
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Emma Baple
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK; University of Exeter Medical School, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Kate Tatton Brown
- South-West Thames Clinical Genetics Service, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Nicola Foulds
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Anne Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Coxford Rd, Southampton SO165YA, UK
| | - Gabrielle Wheway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Duthie Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew O Parker
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Signe M Lyngby
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miriam G Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Desir
- Département de Génétique Clinique - Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, Avenue Georges Lemaître, 25 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Allan Bayat
- Danish Epilepsy Centre, Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, 4293 Dianalund, Denmark; Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Musgaard
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Anders S Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Diana Baralle
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Anne Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Coxford Rd, Southampton SO165YA, UK; Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Duthie Building, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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30
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Gatto KP, Timoshevskaya N, Smith JJ, Lourenço LB. Sequencing of laser captured Z and W chromosomes of the tocantins paradoxical frog (Pseudis tocantins) provides insights on repeatome and chromosomal homology. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1659-1674. [PMID: 35642451 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14027] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pseudis tocantins is the only frog species of the hylid genus Pseudis that possesses highly heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Z and W chromosomes of Ps. tocantins differ in size, morphology, position of the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) and the amount and distribution of heterochromatin. A chromosomal inversion and heterochromatin amplification on the W chromosome were previously inferred to be involved in the evolution of this sex chromosome pair. Despite these findings, knowledge related to the molecular composition of the large heterochromatic band of this W chromosome is restricted to the PcP190 satellite DNA, and no data are available regarding the gene content of either the W or the Z chromosome of Ps. tocantins. Here, we sequenced microdissected Z and W chromosomes of this species to further resolve their molecular composition. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that Ps. tocantins sex chromosomes are likely homologous to chromosomes 4 and 10 of Xenopus tropicalis. Analyses of the repetitive DNA landscape in the Z and W assemblies allowed for the identification of several transposable elements and putative satellite DNA sequences. Finally, some transposable elements from the W assembly were found to be highly diverse and divergent from elements found elsewhere in the genome, suggesting a rapid amplification of these elements on the W chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaleb Pretto Gatto
- Laboratory of Chromosome Studies, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,Laboratory of Herpetology and Aquaculture Center, Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Nataliya Timoshevskaya
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jeramiah J Smith
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Luciana Bolsoni Lourenço
- Laboratory of Chromosome Studies, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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31
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BRD4 promotes resection and homology-directed repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3016. [PMID: 35641523 PMCID: PMC9156784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most toxic forms of DNA damage and represent a major source of genomic instability. Members of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein family are characterized as epigenetic readers that regulate gene expression. However, evidence suggests that BET proteins also play a more direct role in DNA repair. Here, we establish a cell-free system using Xenopus egg extracts to elucidate the gene expression-independent functions of BET proteins in DSB repair. We identify the BET protein BRD4 as a critical regulator of homologous recombination and describe its role in stimulating DNA processing through interactions with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and resection machinery. These results establish BRD4 as a multifunctional regulator of chromatin binding that links transcriptional activity and homology-directed repair. BRD4 is a multifunctional regulator of chromatin binding that plays a direct role in DNA double-strand break repair. BRD4 interacts with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and resection machinery to promote homologous recombination.
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32
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MusMorph, a database of standardized mouse morphology data for morphometric meta-analyses. Sci Data 2022; 9:230. [PMID: 35614082 PMCID: PMC9133120 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01338-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex morphological traits are the product of many genes with transient or lasting developmental effects that interact in anatomical context. Mouse models are a key resource for disentangling such effects, because they offer myriad tools for manipulating the genome in a controlled environment. Unfortunately, phenotypic data are often obtained using laboratory-specific protocols, resulting in self-contained datasets that are difficult to relate to one another for larger scale analyses. To enable meta-analyses of morphological variation, particularly in the craniofacial complex and brain, we created MusMorph, a database of standardized mouse morphology data spanning numerous genotypes and developmental stages, including E10.5, E11.5, E14.5, E15.5, E18.5, and adulthood. To standardize data collection, we implemented an atlas-based phenotyping pipeline that combines techniques from image registration, deep learning, and morphometrics. Alongside stage-specific atlases, we provide aligned micro-computed tomography images, dense anatomical landmarks, and segmentations (if available) for each specimen (N = 10,056). Our workflow is open-source to encourage transparency and reproducible data collection. The MusMorph data and scripts are available on FaceBase ( www.facebase.org , https://doi.org/10.25550/3-HXMC ) and GitHub ( https://github.com/jaydevine/MusMorph ).
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33
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Wang J, Lu C, Wei S. Whole-genome sequencing identifies I-SceI-mediated transgene integration sites in Xenopus tropicalis snai2:eGFP line. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac037. [PMID: 35171990 PMCID: PMC9073676 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Transgenesis with the meganuclease I-SceI is a safe and efficient method, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear due to the lack of information on transgene localization. Using I-SceI, we previously developed a transgenic Xenopus tropicalis line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by the neural crest-specific snai2 promoter/enhancer, which is a powerful tool for studying neural crest development and craniofacial morphogenesis. Here, we carried out whole-genome shotgun sequencing for the snai2:eGFP embryos to identify the transgene integration sites. With a 19x sequencing coverage, we estimated that 6 copies of the transgene were inserted into the Xenopus tropicalis genome in the hemizygous transgenic embryos. Two transgene integration loci adjacent to each other were identified in a noncoding region on chromosome 1, possibly as a result of duplication after a single transgene insertion. Interestingly, genomic DNA at the boundaries of the transgene integration loci contains short sequences homologous to the I-SceI recognition site, suggesting that the integration was not random but probably mediated by sequence homology. To our knowledge, our work represents the first genome-wide sequencing study on a transgenic organism generated with I-SceI, which is useful for evaluating the potential genetic effects of I-SceI-mediated transgenesis and further understanding the mechanisms underlying this transgenic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Congyu Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Shuo Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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34
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Baxi AB, Pade LR, Nemes P. Cell-Lineage Guided Mass Spectrometry Proteomics in the Developing (Frog) Embryo. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/63586. [PMID: 35532271 PMCID: PMC9513837 DOI: 10.3791/63586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterization of molecular events as cells give rise to tissues and organs raises a potential to better understand normal development and design efficient remedies for diseases. Technologies enabling accurate identification and quantification of diverse types and large numbers of proteins would provide still missing information on molecular mechanisms orchestrating tissue and organism development in space and time. Here, we present a mass spectrometry-based protocol that enables the measurement of thousands of proteins in identified cell lineages in Xenopus laevis (frog) embryos. The approach builds on reproducible cell-fate maps and established methods to identify, fluorescently label, track, and sample cells and their progeny (clones) from this model of vertebrate development. After collecting cellular contents using microsampling or isolating cells by dissection or fluorescence-activated cell sorting, proteins are extracted and processed for bottom-up proteomic analysis. Liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis are used to provide scalable separation for protein detection and quantification with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Representative examples are provided for the proteomic characterization of neural-tissue fated cells. Cell-lineage-guided HRMS proteomics is adaptable to different tissues and organisms. It is sufficiently sensitive, specific, and quantitative to peer into the spatio-temporal dynamics of the proteome during vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna B Baxi
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The George Washington University
| | - Leena R Pade
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland
| | - Peter Nemes
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The George Washington University;
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35
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Mayar S, Memarpoor-Yazdi M, Makky A, Eslami Sarokhalil R, D'Avanzo N. Direct Regulation of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic-Nucleotide Gated (HCN1) Channels by Cannabinoids. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:848540. [PMID: 35465092 PMCID: PMC9019169 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.848540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids are a broad class of molecules that act primarily on neurons, affecting pain sensation, appetite, mood, learning, and memory. In addition to interacting with specific cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), cannabinoids can directly modulate the function of various ion channels. Here, we examine whether cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prevalent phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa, can regulate the function of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN1) channels independently of CBRs. HCN1 channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes since they do not express CBRs, and the effects of cannabinoid treatment on HCN1 currents were examined by a two-electrode voltage clamp. We observe opposing effects of CBD and THC on HCN1 current, with CBD acting to stimulate HCN1 function, while THC inhibited current. These effects persist in HCN1 channels lacking the cyclic-nucleotide binding domain (HCN1ΔCNBD). However, changes to membrane fluidity, examined by treating cells with TX-100, inhibited HCN1 current had more pronounced effects on the voltage-dependence and kinetics of activation than THC, suggesting this is not the primary mechanism of HCN1 regulation by cannabinoids. Our findings may contribute to the overall understanding of how cannabinoids may act as promising therapeutic molecules for the treatment of several neurological disorders in which HCN function is disturbed.
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Han DT, Zhao W, Powell WH. Dioxin Disrupts Thyroid Hormone and Glucocorticoid Induction of klf9, a Master Regulator of Frog Metamorphosis. Toxicol Sci 2022; 187:150-161. [PMID: 35172007 PMCID: PMC9041550 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Frog metamorphosis, the development of an air-breathing froglet from an aquatic tadpole, is controlled by thyroid hormone (TH) and glucocorticoids (GC). Metamorphosis is susceptible to disruption by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist. Krüppel-like factor 9 (klf9), an immediate early gene in the endocrine-controlled cascade of expression changes governing metamorphosis, can be synergistically induced by both hormones. This process is mediated by an upstream enhancer cluster, the klf9 synergy module (KSM). klf9 is also an AHR target. We measured klf9 mRNA following exposures to triiodothyronine (T3), corticosterone (CORT), and TCDD in the Xenopus laevis cell line XLK-WG. klf9 was induced 6-fold by 50 nM T3, 4-fold by 100 nM CORT, and 3-fold by 175 nM TCDD. Cotreatments of CORT and TCDD or T3 and TCDD induced klf9 7- and 11-fold, respectively, whereas treatment with all 3 agents induced a 15-fold increase. Transactivation assays examined enhancers from the Xenopus tropicalis klf9 upstream region. KSM-containing segments mediated a strong T3 response and a larger T3/CORT response, whereas induction by TCDD was mediated by a region ∼1 kb farther upstream containing 5 AHR response elements (AHREs). This region also supported a CORT response in the absence of readily identifiable GC responsive elements, suggesting mediation by protein-protein interactions. A functional AHRE cluster is positionally conserved in the human genome, and klf9 was induced by TCDD and TH in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that AHR binding to upstream AHREs represents an early key event in TCDD's disruption of endocrine-regulated klf9 expression and metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wade H Powell
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at Biology Department, Kenyon College, 202 N College Rd, Gambier, OH 43022. E-mail:
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Jansen C, Paraiso KD, Zhou JJ, Blitz IL, Fish MB, Charney RM, Cho JS, Yasuoka Y, Sudou N, Bright AR, Wlizla M, Veenstra GJC, Taira M, Zorn AM, Mortazavi A, Cho KWY. Uncovering the mesendoderm gene regulatory network through multi-omic data integration. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110364. [PMID: 35172134 PMCID: PMC8917868 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesendodermal specification is one of the earliest events in embryogenesis, where cells first acquire distinct identities. Cell differentiation is a highly regulated process that involves the function of numerous transcription factors (TFs) and signaling molecules, which can be described with gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Cell differentiation GRNs are difficult to build because existing mechanistic methods are low throughput, and high-throughput methods tend to be non-mechanistic. Additionally, integrating highly dimensional data composed of more than two data types is challenging. Here, we use linked self-organizing maps to combine chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq)/ATAC-seq with temporal, spatial, and perturbation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from Xenopus tropicalis mesendoderm development to build a high-resolution genome scale mechanistic GRN. We recover both known and previously unsuspected TF-DNA/TF-TF interactions validated through reporter assays. Our analysis provides insights into transcriptional regulation of early cell fate decisions and provides a general approach to building GRNs using highly dimensional multi-omic datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camden Jansen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kitt D Paraiso
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jeff J Zhou
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Margaret B Fish
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rebekah M Charney
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jin Sun Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Yuuri Yasuoka
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Norihiro Sudou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ann Rose Bright
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcin Wlizla
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gert Jan C Veenstra
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Masanori Taira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Ken W Y Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Arshinoff BI, Cary GA, Karimi K, Foley S, Agalakov S, Delgado F, Lotay VS, Ku CJ, Pells TJ, Beatman TR, Kim E, Cameron RA, Vize PD, Telmer C, Croce JC, Ettensohn CA, Hinman VF. Echinobase: leveraging an extant model organism database to build a knowledgebase supporting research on the genomics and biology of echinoderms. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:D970-D979. [PMID: 34791383 PMCID: PMC8728261 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinobase (www.echinobase.org) is a third generation web resource supporting genomic research on echinoderms. The new version was built by cloning the mature Xenopus model organism knowledgebase, Xenbase, refactoring data ingestion pipelines and modifying the user interface to adapt to multispecies echinoderm content. This approach leveraged over 15 years of previous database and web application development to generate a new fully featured informatics resource in a single year. In addition to the software stack, Echinobase uses the private cloud and physical hosts that support Xenbase. Echinobase currently supports six echinoderm species, focused on those used for genomics, developmental biology and gene regulatory network analyses. Over 38 000 gene pages, 18 000 publications, new improved genome assemblies, JBrowse genome browser and BLAST + services are available and supported by the development of a new echinoderm anatomical ontology, uniformly applied formal gene nomenclature, and consistent orthology predictions. A novel feature of Echinobase is integrating support for multiple, disparate species. New genomes from the diverse echinoderm phylum will be added and supported as data becomes available. The common code development design of the integrated knowledgebases ensures parallel improvements as each resource evolves. This approach is widely applicable for developing new model organism informatics resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley I Arshinoff
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gregory A Cary
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kamran Karimi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Saoirse Foley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Sergei Agalakov
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Francisco Delgado
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Vaneet S Lotay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Ku
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Troy J Pells
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Thomas R Beatman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Eugene Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - R Andrew Cameron
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Peter D Vize
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Cheryl A Telmer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jenifer C Croce
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), Institut de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Charles A Ettensohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Veronica F Hinman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Reverdatto S, Prasad A, Belrose JL, Zhang X, Sammons MA, Gibbs KM, Szaro BG. Developmental and Injury-induced Changes in DNA Methylation in Regenerative versus Non-regenerative Regions of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:2. [PMID: 34979916 PMCID: PMC8725369 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08247-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because some of its CNS neurons (e.g., retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush (ONC)) regenerate axons throughout life, whereas others (e.g., hindbrain neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI)) lose this capacity as tadpoles metamorphose into frogs, the South African claw-toed frog, Xenopus laevis, offers unique opportunities for exploring differences between regenerative and non-regenerative responses to CNS injury within the same organism. An earlier, three-way RNA-seq study (frog ONC eye, tadpole SCI hindbrain, frog SCI hindbrain) identified genes that regulate chromatin accessibility among those that were differentially expressed in regenerative vs non-regenerative CNS [11]. The current study used whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of DNA collected from these same animals at the peak period of axon regeneration to study the extent to which DNA methylation could potentially underlie differences in chromatin accessibility between regenerative and non-regenerative CNS. RESULTS Consistent with the hypothesis that DNA of regenerative CNS is more accessible than that of non-regenerative CNS, DNA from both the regenerative tadpole hindbrain and frog eye was less methylated than that of the non-regenerative frog hindbrain. Also, consistent with observations of CNS injury in mammals, DNA methylation in non-regenerative frog hindbrain decreased after SCI. However, contrary to expectations that the level of DNA methylation would decrease even further with axotomy in regenerative CNS, DNA methylation in these regions instead increased with injury. Injury-induced differences in CpG methylation in regenerative CNS became especially enriched in gene promoter regions, whereas non-CpG methylation differences were more evenly distributed across promoter regions, intergenic, and intragenic regions. In non-regenerative CNS, tissue-related (i.e., regenerative vs. non-regenerative CNS) and injury-induced decreases in promoter region CpG methylation were significantly correlated with increased RNA expression, but the injury-induced, increased CpG methylation seen in regenerative CNS across promoter regions was not, suggesting it was associated with increased rather than decreased chromatin accessibility. This hypothesis received support from observations that in regenerative CNS, many genes exhibiting increased, injury-induced, promoter-associated CpG-methylation also exhibited increased RNA expression and association with histone markers for active promoters and enhancers. DNA immunoprecipitation for 5hmC in optic nerve regeneration found that the promoter-associated increases seen in CpG methylation were distinct from those exhibiting changes in 5hmC. CONCLUSIONS Although seemingly paradoxical, the increased injury-associated DNA methylation seen in regenerative CNS has many parallels in stem cells and cancer. Thus, these axotomy-induced changes in DNA methylation in regenerative CNS provide evidence for a novel epigenetic state favoring successful over unsuccessful CNS axon regeneration. The datasets described in this study should help lay the foundations for future studies of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. The insights gained should, in turn, help point the way to novel therapeutic approaches for treating CNS injury in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Reverdatto
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Aparna Prasad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Jamie L Belrose
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Morgan A Sammons
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
- RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Kurt M Gibbs
- Department of Biology & Chemistry, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, 40351, USA
| | - Ben G Szaro
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
- RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
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40
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Dickinson AJG, Turner SD, Wahl S, Kennedy AE, Wyatt BH, Howton DA. E-liquids and vanillin flavoring disrupts retinoic acid signaling and causes craniofacial defects in Xenopus embryos. Dev Biol 2022; 481:14-29. [PMID: 34543654 PMCID: PMC8665092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental teratogens such as smoking are known risk factors for developmental disorders such as cleft palate. While smoking rates have declined, a new type of smoking, called vaping is on the rise. Vaping is the use of e-cigarettes to vaporize and inhale an e-liquid containing nicotine and food-like flavors. There is the potential that, like smoking, vaping could also pose a danger to the developing human. Rather than waiting for epidemiological and mammalian studies, we have turned to an aquatic developmental model, Xenopus laevis, to more quickly assess whether e-liquids contain teratogens that could lead to craniofacial malformations. Xenopus, like zebrafish, has the benefit of being a well-established developmental model and has also been effective in predicting whether a chemical could be a teratogen. We have determined that embryonic exposure to dessert flavored e-liquids can cause craniofacial abnormalities, including an orofacial cleft in Xenopus. To better understand the underlying mechanisms contributing to these defects, transcriptomic analysis of the facial tissues of embryos exposed to a representative dessert flavored e-liquid vapor extract was performed. Analysis of differentially expressed genes in these embryos revealed several genes associated with retinoic acid metabolism or the signaling pathway. Consistently, retinoic acid receptor inhibition phenocopied the craniofacial defects as those embryos exposed to the vapor extract of the e-liquid. Such malformations also correlated with a group of common differentially expressed genes, two of which are associated with midface birth defects in humans. Further, e-liquid exposure sensitized embryos to forming craniofacial malformations when they already had depressed retinoic acid signaling. Moreover, 13-cis-retinoic acid treatment could significantly reduce the e-liquid induced malformation in the midface. Such results suggest the possibility of an interaction between retinoic acid signaling and e-liquid exposure. One of the most popular and concentrated flavoring chemicals in dessert flavored e-liquids is vanillin. Xenopus embryos exposed to this chemical closely resembled embryos exposed to dessert-like e-liquids and a retinoic acid receptor antagonist. In summary, we determined that e-liquid chemicals, in particular vanillin, can cause craniofacial defects potentially by dysregulating retinoic acid signaling. This work warrants the evaluation of vanillin and other such flavoring additives in e-liquids on mammalian development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen D Turner
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Signature Science LLC, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stacey Wahl
- Research and Education Department, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Allyson E Kennedy
- Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Brent H Wyatt
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Deborah A Howton
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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41
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Jenkins JA, Hartop KR, Bukhari G, Howton DE, Smalling KL, Mize SV, Hladik ML, Johnson D, Draugelis-Dale RO, Brown BL. Juvenile African Clawed Frogs ( Xenopus laevis) Express Growth, Metamorphosis, Mortality, Gene Expression, and Metabolic Changes When Exposed to Thiamethoxam and Clothianidin. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13291. [PMID: 34948092 PMCID: PMC8706403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonicotinoids (NEO) represent the main class of insecticides currently in use, with thiamethoxam (THX) and clothianidin (CLO) primarily applied agriculturally. With few comprehensive studies having been performed with non-target amphibians, the aim was to investigate potential biomarker responses along an adverse outcome pathway of NEO exposure, whereby data were collected on multiple biological hierarchies. Juvenile African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, were exposed to commercial formulations of THX and CLO at high (100 ppm) and low (20 ppm) concentrations of the active ingredient. Mortality, growth, development, liver metabolic enzyme activity, and gene expression endpoints were quantified. Tadpoles (n > 1000) from NF 47 through tail resorption stage (NF 66) were exposed to NEO or to NEO-free media treatments. Liver cell reductase activity and cytotoxicity were quantified by flow cytometry. Compared to control reference gene expressions, levels of expression for NEO receptor subunits, cell structure, function, and decontamination processes were measured by RT-qPCR by using liver and brain. Mortality in THX high was 21.5% compared to the control (9.1%); the metabolic conversion of THX to CLO may explain these results. The NF 57 control tadpoles were heavier, longer, and more developed than the others. The progression of development from NF 57-66 was reduced by THX low, and weight gain was impaired. Liver reductases were highest in the control (84.1%), with low NEO exhibiting the greatest reductions; the greatest cytotoxicity was seen with THX high. More transcriptional activity was noted in brains than in livers. Results affirm the utility of a study approach that considers multiple complexities in ecotoxicological studies with non-target amphibians, underscoring the need for simultaneously considering NEO concentration-response relationships with both whole-organism and biomarker endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. Jenkins
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA; (D.J.); (R.O.D.-D.)
| | - Katherine R. Hartop
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (K.R.H.); (G.B.); (D.E.H.); (B.L.B.)
| | - Ghadeer Bukhari
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (K.R.H.); (G.B.); (D.E.H.); (B.L.B.)
| | - Debra E. Howton
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (K.R.H.); (G.B.); (D.E.H.); (B.L.B.)
| | - Kelly L. Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA;
| | - Scott V. Mize
- U.S. Geological Survey, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, USA;
| | - Michelle L. Hladik
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA;
| | - Darren Johnson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA; (D.J.); (R.O.D.-D.)
| | - Rassa O. Draugelis-Dale
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA; (D.J.); (R.O.D.-D.)
| | - Bonnie L. Brown
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (K.R.H.); (G.B.); (D.E.H.); (B.L.B.)
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42
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Shellard A, Mayor R. Collective durotaxis along a self-generated stiffness gradient in vivo. Nature 2021; 600:690-694. [PMID: 34880503 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Collective cell migration underlies morphogenesis, wound healing and cancer invasion1,2. Most directed migration in vivo has been attributed to chemotaxis, whereby cells follow a chemical gradient3-5. Cells can also follow a stiffness gradient in vitro, a process called durotaxis3,4,6-8, but evidence for durotaxis in vivo is lacking6. Here we show that in Xenopus laevis the neural crest-an embryonic cell population-self-generates a stiffness gradient in the adjacent placodal tissue, and follows this gradient by durotaxis. The gradient moves with the neural crest, which is continually pursuing a retreating region of high substrate stiffness. Mechanistically, the neural crest induces the gradient due to N-cadherin interactions with the placodes and senses the gradient through cell-matrix adhesions, resulting in polarized Rac activity and actomyosin contractility, which coordinates durotaxis. Durotaxis synergizes with chemotaxis, cooperatively polarizing actomyosin machinery of the cell group to prompt efficient directional collective cell migration in vivo. These results show that durotaxis and dynamic stiffness gradients exist in vivo, and gradients of chemical and mechanical signals cooperate to achieve efficient directional cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Shellard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.
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43
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Dupras C, Bunnik EM. Toward a Framework for Assessing Privacy Risks in Multi-Omic Research and Databases. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2021; 21:46-64. [PMID: 33433298 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2020.1863516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
While the accumulation and increased circulation of genomic data have captured much attention over the past decade, privacy risks raised by the diversification and integration of omics have been largely overlooked. In this paper, we propose the outline of a framework for assessing privacy risks in multi-omic research and databases. Following a comparison of privacy risks associated with genomic and epigenomic data, we dissect ten privacy risk-impacting omic data properties that affect either the risk of re-identification of research participants, or the sensitivity of the information potentially conveyed by biological data. We then propose a three-step approach for the assessment of privacy risks in the multi-omic era. Thus, we lay grounds for a data property-based, 'pan-omic' approach that moves away from genetic exceptionalism. We conclude by inviting our peers to refine these theoretical foundations, put them to the test in their respective fields, and translate our approach into practical guidance.
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44
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Neil CR, Jeschonek SP, Cabral SE, O'Connell LC, Powrie EA, Otis JP, Wood TR, Mowry KL. L-bodies are RNA-protein condensates driving RNA localization in Xenopus oocytes. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:ar37. [PMID: 34613784 PMCID: PMC8694076 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-03-0146-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are membraneless compartments within cells, formed by phase separation, that function as regulatory hubs for diverse biological processes. However, the mechanisms by which RNAs and proteins interact to promote RNP granule structure and function in vivo remain unclear. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, maternal mRNAs are localized as large RNPs to the vegetal hemisphere of the developing oocyte, where local translation is critical for proper embryonic patterning. Here we demonstrate that RNPs containing vegetally localized RNAs represent a new class of cytoplasmic RNP granule, termed localization-bodies (L-bodies). We show that L-bodies contain a dynamic protein-containing phase surrounding a nondynamic RNA-containing phase. Our results support a role for RNA as a critical component within these RNP granules and suggest that cis-elements within localized mRNAs may drive subcellular RNA localization through control over phase behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Neil
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Samantha P Jeschonek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Sarah E Cabral
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Liam C O'Connell
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Erin A Powrie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Jessica P Otis
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Timothy R Wood
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Kimberly L Mowry
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
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45
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Tagami Y, Nishiyama T, Omote M, Watanabe M. Application of the RNA interference technique to Xenopus embryos: Specific reduction of the β-catenin gene products by short double-stranded RNA produced by recombinant human Dicer. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 63:467-477. [PMID: 34817899 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a technique for suppressing the function of specific genes and is widely used in many organisms, including yeast, nematodes, flies, plants, mice, and cultured mammalian cells. As of date, this technique has not been successfully applied to Xenopus laevis embryos. In this study, we applied RNAi to Xenopus embryos using β-catenin as a model gene. Injection of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) corresponding to the 3'-untranslated region of β-catenin mRNA into embryos induced embryonic lethality without any specific phenotype. However, injection of short dsRNA, generated from long dsRNA by treatment with recombinant human Dicer, into embryos resulted in decreased expression of endogenous β-catenin mRNA and protein, as well as decreased Wnt signaling activity in the embryos. The decrease in β-catenin mRNA and protein levels was observed only after mid-blastula transition. Embryos injected with short dsRNA showed a characteristic phenotype of enlarged anterior structures and loss of posterior structures. These phenotypes, as well as the increased expression of the anterior gene and decreased expression of the posterior gene, suggest that RNAi against the β-catenin gene suppresses the "late Wnt signaling" involved in proper anterior-posterior patterning of Xenopus embryos. The effect of RNAi on Xenopus embryos was also found to be sensitive to temperature. These results strongly suggest that the RNAi technique can be applied to Xenopus embryos using short dsRNAs, appropriate temperature control, and proper selection of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Tagami
- Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nishiyama
- Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Michiko Omote
- Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Minoru Watanabe
- Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.,Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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46
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Rosenthal SB, Willsey HR, Xu Y, Mei Y, Dea J, Wang S, Curtis C, Sempou E, Khokha MK, Chi NC, Willsey AJ, Fisch KM, Ideker T. A convergent molecular network underlying autism and congenital heart disease. Cell Syst 2021; 12:1094-1107.e6. [PMID: 34411509 PMCID: PMC8602730 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, have an elevated incidence of congenital heart disease, but the extent to which these conditions share molecular mechanisms remains unknown. Here, we use network genetics to identify a convergent molecular network underlying autism and congenital heart disease. This network is impacted by damaging genetic variants from both disorders in multiple independent cohorts of patients, pinpointing 101 genes with shared genetic risk. Network analysis also implicates risk genes for each disorder separately, including 27 previously unidentified genes for autism and 46 for congenital heart disease. For 7 genes with shared risk, we create engineered disruptions in Xenopus tropicalis, confirming both heart and brain developmental abnormalities. The network includes a family of ion channels, such as the sodium transporter SCN2A, linking these functions to early heart and brain development. This study provides a road map for identifying risk genes and pathways involved in co-morbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yuxiao Xu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yuan Mei
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jeanselle Dea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sheng Wang
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Charlotte Curtis
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Emily Sempou
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mustafa K Khokha
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Neil C Chi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Arthur Jeremy Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Trey Ideker
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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47
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Somorjai IML, Ehebauer MT, Escrivà H, Garcia-Fernàndez J. JNK Mediates Differentiation, Cell Polarity and Apoptosis During Amphioxus Development by Regulating Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics and ERK Signalling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:749806. [PMID: 34778260 PMCID: PMC8586503 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a multi-functional protein involved in a diverse array of context-dependent processes, including apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, adhesion, and differentiation. It is integral to several signalling cascades, notably downstream of non-canonical Wnt and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. As such, it is a key regulator of cellular behaviour and patterning during embryonic development across the animal kingdom. The cephalochordate amphioxus is an invertebrate chordate model system straddling the invertebrate to vertebrate transition and is thus ideally suited for comparative studies of morphogenesis. However, next to nothing is known about JNK signalling or cellular processes in this lineage. Pharmacological inhibition of JNK signalling using SP600125 during embryonic development arrests gastrula invagination and causes convergence extension-like defects in axial elongation, particularly of the notochord. Pharynx formation and anterior oral mesoderm derivatives like the preoral pit are also affected. This is accompanied by tissue-specific transcriptional changes, including reduced expression of six3/6 and wnt2 in the notochord, and ectopic wnt11 in neurulating embryos treated at late gastrula stages. Cellular delamination results in accumulation of cells in the gut cavity and a dorsal fin-like protrusion, followed by secondary Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis of polarity-deficient cells, a phenotype only partly rescued by co-culture with the pan-Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk. Ectopic activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signalling in the neighbours of extruded notochord and neural cells, possibly due to altered adhesive and tensile properties, as well as defects in cellular migration, may explain some phenotypes caused by JNK inhibition. Overall, this study supports conserved functions of JNK signalling in mediating the complex balance between cell survival, apoptosis, differentiation, and cell fate specification during cephalochordate morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildiko M L Somorjai
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom.,Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France.,Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Hector Escrivà
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Jordi Garcia-Fernàndez
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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48
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Ta AC, Huang LC, McKeown CR, Bestman JE, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Cline HT. Temporal and Spatial Transcriptomic Dynamics across Brain Development in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 12:6423992. [PMID: 34751375 PMCID: PMC8728038 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian metamorphosis is a transitional period that involves significant changes in the cell type populations and biological processes occurring in the brain. Analysis of gene expression dynamics during this process may provide insight into the molecular events underlying these changes. We conducted differential gene expression analyses of the developing X. laevis tadpole brain during this period in two ways: first, over stages of development in the midbrain, and second, across regions of the brain at a single developmental stage. We found that genes pertaining to positive regulation of neural progenitor cell proliferation as well as known progenitor cell markers were upregulated in the midbrain prior to metamorphic climax; concurrently, expression of cell cycle timing regulators decreased across this period, supporting the notion that cell cycle lengthening contributes to a decrease in proliferation by the end of metamorphosis. We also found that at the start of metamorphosis, neural progenitor populations appeared to be similar across the fore-, mid-, and hindbrain regions. Genes pertaining to negative regulation of differentiation were upregulated in the spinal cord compared to the rest of the brain, however, suggesting that a different program may regulate neurogenesis there. Finally, we found that regulation of biological processes like cell fate commitment and synaptic signaling follow similar trajectories in the brain across early tadpole metamorphosis and mid- to late-embryonic mouse development. By comparing expression across both temporal and spatial conditions, we have been able to illuminate cell type and biological pathway dynamics in the brain during metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C Ta
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Hollis T Cline
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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49
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Boselli F, Jullien J, Lauga E, Goldstein RE. Fluid Mechanics of Mosaic Ciliated Tissues. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:198102. [PMID: 34797132 PMCID: PMC7616087 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.198102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In tissues as diverse as amphibian skin and the human airway, the cilia that propel fluid are grouped in sparsely distributed multiciliated cells (MCCs). We investigate fluid transport in this "mosaic" architecture, with emphasis on the trade-offs that may have been responsible for its evolutionary selection. Live imaging of MCCs in embryos of the frog Xenopus laevis shows that cilia bundles behave as active vortices that produce a flow field accurately represented by a local force applied to the fluid. A coarse-grained model that self-consistently couples bundles to the ambient flow reveals that hydrodynamic interactions between MCCs limit their rate of work so that they best shear the tissue at a finite but low area coverage, a result that mirrors findings for other sparse distributions such as cell receptors and leaf stomata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Boselli
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
| | - Jerome Jullien
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
- Inserm, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CRTI-UMR 1064, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Eric Lauga
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond E. Goldstein
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
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50
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Holzer G, De Magistris P, Gramminger C, Sachdev R, Magalska A, Schooley A, Scheufen A, Lennartz B, Tatarek-Nossol M, Lue H, Linder MI, Kutay U, Preisinger C, Moreno-Andres D, Antonin W. The nucleoporin Nup50 activates the Ran guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 to promote NPC assembly at the end of mitosis. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108788. [PMID: 34725842 PMCID: PMC8634129 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During mitotic exit, thousands of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) assemble concomitant with the nuclear envelope to build a transport‐competent nucleus. Here, we show that Nup50 plays a crucial role in NPC assembly independent of its well‐established function in nuclear transport. RNAi‐mediated downregulation in cells or immunodepletion of Nup50 protein in Xenopus egg extracts interferes with NPC assembly. We define a conserved central region of 46 residues in Nup50 that is crucial for Nup153 and MEL28/ELYS binding, and for NPC interaction. Surprisingly, neither NPC interaction nor binding of Nup50 to importin α/β, the GTPase Ran, or chromatin is crucial for its function in the assembly process. Instead, an N‐terminal fragment of Nup50 can stimulate the Ran GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 and NPC assembly, indicating that Nup50 acts via the Ran system in NPC reformation at the end of mitosis. In support of this conclusion, Nup50 mutants defective in RCC1 binding and stimulation cannot replace the wild‐type protein in in vitro NPC assembly assays, whereas excess RCC1 can compensate the loss of Nup50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Holzer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Paola De Magistris
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cathrin Gramminger
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ruchika Sachdev
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Adriana Magalska
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Allana Schooley
- Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anja Scheufen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Birgitt Lennartz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marianna Tatarek-Nossol
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hongqi Lue
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Kutay
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Preisinger
- Proteomics Facility, Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniel Moreno-Andres
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wolfram Antonin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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