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Davidson LA. Gears of life: A primer on the simple machines that shape the embryo. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 160:87-109. [PMID: 38937032 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.05.004] [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] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A simple machine is a basic of device that takes mechanical advantage to apply force. Animals and plants self-assemble through the operation of a wide variety of simple machines. Embryos of different species actuate these simple machines to drive the geometric transformations that convert a disordered mass of cells into organized structures with discrete identities and function. These transformations are intrinsically coupled to sequential and overlapping steps of self-organization and self-assembly. The processes of self-organization have been explored through the molecular composition of cells and tissues and their information networks. By contrast, efforts to understand the simple machines underlying self-assembly must integrate molecular composition with the physical principles of mechanics. This primer is concerned with effort to elucidate the operation of these machines, focusing on the "problem" of morphogenesis. Advances in understanding self-assembly will ultimately connect molecular-, subcellular-, cellular- and meso-scale functions of plants and animals and their ability to interact with larger ecologies and environmental influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Davidson
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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2
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Huber PB, LaBonne C. Small molecule-mediated reprogramming of Xenopus blastula stem cells to a neural crest state. Dev Biol 2024; 505:34-41. [PMID: 37890713 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.10.004] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Neural crest cells are a stem cell population unique to vertebrates that give rise to a diverse array of derivatives, including much of the peripheral nervous system, pigment cells, cartilage, mesenchyme, and bone. Acquisition of these cells drove the evolution of vertebrates and defects in their development underlies a broad set of neurocristopathies. Moreover, studies of neural crest can inform differentiation protocols for pluripotent stem cells and regenerative medicine applications. Xenopus embryos are an important system for studies of the neural crest and have provided numerous insights into the signals and transcription factors that control the formation and later lineage diversification of these stem cells. Pluripotent animal pole explants are a particularly powerful tool in this system as they can be cultured in simple salt solution and instructed to give rise to any cell type including the neural crest. Here we report a protocol for small molecule-mediated induction of the neural crest state from blastula stem cells and validate it using transcriptome analysis and grafting experiments. This is an powerful new tool for generating this important cell type that will facilitate future studies of neural crest development and mutations and variants linked to neurocristopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Huber
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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3
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Ventrella R, Kim SK, Sheridan J, Grata A, Bresteau E, Hassan OA, Suva EE, Walentek P, Mitchell BJ. Bidirectional multiciliated cell extrusion is controlled by Notch-driven basal extrusion and Piezo1-driven apical extrusion. Development 2023; 150:dev201612. [PMID: 37602491 PMCID: PMC10482390 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201612] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus embryos are covered with a complex epithelium containing numerous multiciliated cells (MCCs). During late-stage development, there is a dramatic remodeling of the epithelium that involves the complete loss of MCCs. Cell extrusion is a well-characterized process for driving cell loss while maintaining epithelial barrier function. Normal cell extrusion is typically unidirectional, whereas bidirectional extrusion is often associated with disease (e.g. cancer). We describe two distinct mechanisms for MCC extrusion, a basal extrusion driven by Notch signaling and an apical extrusion driven by Piezo1. Early in the process there is a strong bias towards basal extrusion, but as development continues there is a shift towards apical extrusion. Importantly, response to the Notch signal is age dependent and governed by the maintenance of the MCC transcriptional program such that extension of this program is protective against cell loss. In contrast, later apical extrusion is regulated by Piezo1, such that premature activation of Piezo1 leads to early extrusion while blocking Piezo1 leads to MCC maintenance. Distinct mechanisms for MCC loss underlie the importance of their removal during epithelial remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Ventrella
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Precision Medicine Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
| | - Sun K. Kim
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jennifer Sheridan
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Aline Grata
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Enzo Bresteau
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Osama A. Hassan
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eve E. Suva
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Peter Walentek
- University of Freiburg, Renal Division, Internal Medicine IV, Medical Center and CIBSS Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Brian J. Mitchell
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Northwestern University, Lurie Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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4
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Ventrella R, Kim SK, Sheridan J, Grata A, Bresteau E, Hassan O, Suva EE, Walentek P, Mitchell B. Bidirectional multiciliated cell extrusion is controlled by Notch driven basal extrusion and Piezo 1 driven apical extrusion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523838. [PMID: 36711534 PMCID: PMC9882179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus embryos are covered with a complex epithelium containing numerous multiciliated cells (MCCs). During late stage development there is a dramatic remodeling of the epithelium that involves the complete loss of MCCs. Cell extrusion is a well-characterized process for driving cell loss while maintaining epithelial barrier function. Normal cell extrusion is typically unidirectional whereas bidirectional extrusion is often associated with disease (e.g. cancer). We describe two distinct mechanisms for MCC extrusion, a basal extrusion driven by Notch signaling and an apical extrusion driven by Piezo1. Early in the process there is a strong bias towards basal extrusion, but as development continues there is a shift towards apical extrusion. Importantly, receptivity to the Notch signal is age-dependent and governed by the maintenance of the MCC transcriptional program such that extension of this program is protective against cell loss. In contrast, later apical extrusion is regulated by Piezo 1 such that premature activation of Piezo 1 leads to early extrusion while blocking Piezo 1 leads to MCC maintenance. Distinct mechansms for MCC loss underlie the importance of their removal during epithelial remodeling. Summay Statement Cell extrusion typically occurs unidirectionally. We have identified a single population of multiciliated cells that extrudes bidirectionally: Notch-driven basal extrusion and Piezo 1-mediated apical extrusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Ventrella
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Current position; Assistant professor, Precision Medicine Program, Midwestern University
| | - Sun K. Kim
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Jennifer Sheridan
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Aline Grata
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Enzo Bresteau
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Osama Hassan
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Eve E. Suva
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Peter Walentek
- University of Freiburg, Renal Division, Internal Medicine IV, Medical Center and CIBSS Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies
| | - Brian Mitchell
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Northwestern University, Lurie Cancer Center
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Johnson K, Freedman S, Braun R, LaBonne C. Quantitative analysis of transcriptome dynamics provides novel insights into developmental state transitions. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:723. [PMID: 36273135 PMCID: PMC9588240 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During embryogenesis, the developmental potential of initially pluripotent cells becomes progressively restricted as they transit to lineage restricted states. The pluripotent cells of Xenopus blastula-stage embryos are an ideal system in which to study cell state transitions during developmental decision-making, as gene expression dynamics can be followed at high temporal resolution. Results Here we use transcriptomics to interrogate the process by which pluripotent cells transit to four different lineage-restricted states: neural progenitors, epidermis, endoderm and ventral mesoderm, providing quantitative insights into the dynamics of Waddington’s landscape. Our findings provide novel insights into why the neural progenitor state is the default lineage state for pluripotent cells and uncover novel components of lineage-specific gene regulation. These data reveal an unexpected overlap in the transcriptional responses to BMP4/7 and Activin signaling and provide mechanistic insight into how the timing of signaling inputs such as BMP are temporally controlled to ensure correct lineage decisions. Conclusions Together these analyses provide quantitative insights into the logic and dynamics of developmental decision making in early embryos. They also provide valuable lineage-specific time series data following the acquisition of specific lineage states during development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08953-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Simon Freedman
- NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rosemary Braun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Northwestern Institute On Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Carole LaBonne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. .,NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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Karunaraj P, Tidswell O, Duncan EJ, Lovegrove MR, Jefferies G, Johnson TK, Beck CW, Dearden PK. Noggin proteins are multifunctional extracellular regulators of cell signalling. Genetics 2022; 221:6561546. [PMID: 35357435 PMCID: PMC9071555 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac049] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Noggin is an extracellular cysteine knot protein that plays a crucial role in vertebrate dorsoventral patterning. Noggin binds and inhibits the activity of bone morphogenetic proteins via a conserved N-terminal clip domain. Noncanonical orthologs of Noggin that lack a clip domain (“Noggin-like” proteins) are encoded in many arthropod genomes and are thought to have evolved into receptor tyrosine kinase ligands that promote Torso/receptor tyrosine kinase signaling rather than inhibiting bone morphogenic protein signaling. Here, we examined the molecular function of noggin/noggin-like genes (ApNL1 and ApNL2) from the arthropod pea aphid using the dorso-ventral patterning of Xenopus and the terminal patterning system of Drosophila to identify whether these proteins function as bone morphogenic protein or receptor tyrosine kinase signaling regulators. Our findings reveal that ApNL1 from the pea aphid can regulate both bone morphogenic protein and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways, and unexpectedly, that the clip domain is not essential for its antagonism of bone morphogenic protein signaling. Our findings indicate that ancestral noggin/noggin-like genes were multifunctional regulators of signaling that have specialized to regulate multiple cell signaling pathways during the evolution of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashath Karunaraj
- Laboratory for Development and Regeneration, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa-New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa and Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Olivia Tidswell
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Elizabeth J Duncan
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Grace Jefferies
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Travis K Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Caroline W Beck
- Laboratory for Development and Regeneration, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa and Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, Aotearoa-New Zealand
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Satou-Kobayashi Y, Kim JD, Fukamizu A, Asashima M. Temporal transcriptomic profiling reveals dynamic changes in gene expression of Xenopus animal cap upon activin treatment. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14537. [PMID: 34267234 PMCID: PMC8282838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin, a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins, induces various tissues from the amphibian presumptive ectoderm, called animal cap explants (ACs) in vitro. However, it remains unclear how and to what extent the resulting cells recapitulate in vivo development. To comprehensively understand whether the molecular dynamics during activin-induced ACs differentiation reflect the normal development, we performed time-course transcriptome profiling of Xenopus ACs treated with 50 ng/mL of activin A, which predominantly induced dorsal mesoderm. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to activin A increased over time, and totally 9857 upregulated and 6663 downregulated DEGs were detected. 1861 common upregulated DEGs among all Post_activin samples included several Spemann's organizer genes. In addition, the temporal transcriptomes were clearly classified into four distinct groups in correspondence with specific features, reflecting stepwise differentiation into mesoderm derivatives, and a decline in the regulation of nuclear envelop and golgi. From the set of early responsive genes, we also identified the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (socs3) as a novel activin A-inducible gene. Our transcriptome data provide a framework to elucidate the transcriptional dynamics of activin-driven AC differentiation, reflecting the molecular characteristics of early normal embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeko Satou-Kobayashi
- grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Strategic Innovation and Research Center, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605 Japan ,grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605 Japan ,grid.20515.330000 0001 2369 4728Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Tennoudai Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
| | - Jun-Dal Kim
- grid.20515.330000 0001 2369 4728Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Tennoudai Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan ,grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDivision of Complex Bioscience Research, Department of Research and Development, Institute of National Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194 Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Fukamizu
- grid.20515.330000 0001 2369 4728Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Tennoudai Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
| | - Makoto Asashima
- grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Strategic Innovation and Research Center, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605 Japan ,grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605 Japan ,grid.20515.330000 0001 2369 4728Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Tennoudai Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
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Abstract
The endoderm is the innermost germ layer that forms the linings of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and their associated organs, during embryonic development. Xenopus embryology experiments have provided fundamental insights into how the endoderm develops in vertebrates, including the critical role of TGFβ-signaling in endoderm induction,elucidating the gene regulatory networks controlling germ layer development and the key molecular mechanisms regulating endoderm patterning and morphogenesis. With new genetic, genomic, and imaging approaches, Xenopus is now routinely used to model human disease, discover mechanisms underlying endoderm organogenesis, and inform differentiation protocols for pluripotent stem cell differentiation and regenerative medicine applications. In this chapter, we review historical and current discoveries of endoderm development in Xenopus, then provide examples of modeling human disease and congenital defects of endoderm-derived organs using Xenopus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Edwards
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
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