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Uchida Y, Tsutsumi M, Ichii S, Irie N, Furusawa C. Deciphering the origin of developmental stability: The role of intracellular expression variability in evolutionary conservation. Evol Dev 2024; 26:e12473. [PMID: 38414112 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12473] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Progress in evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) has deepened our understanding of how intrinsic properties of embryogenesis, along with natural selection and population genetics, shape phenotypic diversity. A focal point of recent empirical and theoretical research is the idea that highly developmentally stable phenotypes are more conserved in evolution. Previously, we demonstrated that in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), embryonic stages and genes with high stability, estimated through whole-embryo RNA-seq, are highly conserved in subsequent generations. However, the precise origin of the stability of gene expression levels evaluated at the whole-embryo level remained unclear. Such stability could be attributed to two distinct sources: stable intracellular expression levels or spatially stable expression patterns. Here we demonstrate that stability observed in whole-embryo RNA-seq can be attributed to stability at the cellular level (low variability in gene expression at the cellular levels). We quantified the intercellular variations in expression levels and spatial gene expression patterns for seven key genes involved in patterning dorsoventral and rostrocaudal regions during early development in medaka. We evaluated intracellular variability by counting transcripts and found its significant correlation with variation observed in whole-embryo RNA-seq data. Conversely, variation in spatial gene expression patterns, assessed through intraindividual left-right asymmetry, showed no correlation. Given the previously reported correlation between stability and conservation of expression levels throughout embryogenesis, our findings suggest a potential general trend: the stability or instability of developmental systems-and the consequent evolutionary diversity-may be primarily anchored in intrinsic fundamental elements such as the variability of intracellular states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Uchida
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masato Tsutsumi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Ichii
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Irie
- Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Chikara Furusawa
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Schauer A, Pranjic-Ferscha K, Hauschild R, Heisenberg CP. Robust axis elongation by Nodal-dependent restriction of BMP signaling. Development 2024; 151:dev202316. [PMID: 38372390 PMCID: PMC10911127 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202316] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Embryogenesis results from the coordinated activities of different signaling pathways controlling cell fate specification and morphogenesis. In vertebrate gastrulation, both Nodal and BMP signaling play key roles in germ layer specification and morphogenesis, yet their interplay to coordinate embryo patterning with morphogenesis is still insufficiently understood. Here, we took a reductionist approach using zebrafish embryonic explants to study the coordination of Nodal and BMP signaling for embryo patterning and morphogenesis. We show that Nodal signaling triggers explant elongation by inducing mesendodermal progenitors but also suppressing BMP signaling activity at the site of mesendoderm induction. Consistent with this, ectopic BMP signaling in the mesendoderm blocks cell alignment and oriented mesendoderm intercalations, key processes during explant elongation. Translating these ex vivo observations to the intact embryo showed that, similar to explants, Nodal signaling suppresses the effect of BMP signaling on cell intercalations in the dorsal domain, thus allowing robust embryonic axis elongation. These findings suggest a dual function of Nodal signaling in embryonic axis elongation by both inducing mesendoderm and suppressing BMP effects in the dorsal portion of the mesendoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schauer
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | | | - Robert Hauschild
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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3
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Akiyama T, Raftery LA, Wharton KA. Bone morphogenetic protein signaling: the pathway and its regulation. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad200. [PMID: 38124338 PMCID: PMC10847725 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad200] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mid-1960s, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified in the extracts of bone to have the remarkable ability to induce heterotopic bone. When the Drosophila gene decapentaplegic (dpp) was first identified to share sequence similarity with mammalian BMP2/BMP4 in the late-1980s, it became clear that secreted BMP ligands can mediate processes other than bone formation. Following this discovery, collaborative efforts between Drosophila geneticists and mammalian biochemists made use of the strengths of their respective model systems to identify BMP signaling components and delineate the pathway. The ability to conduct genetic modifier screens in Drosophila with relative ease was critical in identifying the intracellular signal transducers for BMP signaling and the related transforming growth factor-beta/activin signaling pathway. Such screens also revealed a host of genes that encode other core signaling components and regulators of the pathway. In this review, we provide a historical account of this exciting time of gene discovery and discuss how the field has advanced over the past 30 years. We have learned that while the core BMP pathway is quite simple, composed of 3 components (ligand, receptor, and signal transducer), behind the versatility of this pathway lies multiple layers of regulation that ensures precise tissue-specific signaling output. We provide a sampling of these discoveries and highlight many questions that remain to be answered to fully understand the complexity of BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Akiyama
- Department of Biology, Rich and Robin Porter Cancer Research Center, The Center for Genomic Advocacy, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Laurel A Raftery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Kristi A Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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Sharma U, Vadon-Le Goff S, Harlos K, Zhao Y, Mariano N, Bijakowski C, Bourhis JM, Moali C, Hulmes DJS, Aghajari N. Dynamics of the secreted frizzled related protein Sizzled and potential implications for binding to bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1). Sci Rep 2022; 12:14850. [PMID: 36050373 PMCID: PMC9437010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18795-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sizzled (Szl) is both a secreted frizzled related protein (sFRP) and a naturally occurring inhibitor of the zinc metalloproteinase bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1), a key regulator of extracellular matrix assembly and growth factor activation. Here we present a new crystal structure for Szl which differs from that previously reported by a large scale (90°) hinge rotation between its cysteine-rich and netrin-like domains. We also present results of a molecular docking analysis showing interactions likely to be involved in the inhibition of BMP-1 activity by Szl. When compared with known structures of BMP-1 in complex with small molecule inhibitors, this reveals features that may be helpful in the design of new inhibitors to prevent the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix that is the hallmark of fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urvashi Sharma
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
- National Institute of Biologicals, A-32, Institutional Area, Sector 62, Noida, 201309, India
| | - Sandrine Vadon-Le Goff
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - Karl Harlos
- Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Natacha Mariano
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - Cecile Bijakowski
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Marie Bourhis
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - Catherine Moali
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - David J S Hulmes
- Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering Laboratory, UMR 5305 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France
| | - Nushin Aghajari
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086 CNRS-University of Lyon, 7 passage du Vercors, 69367, Lyon, France.
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Evo-Devo of Urbilateria and its larval forms. Dev Biol 2022; 487:10-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Leibovich A, Edri T, Klein SL, Moody SA, Fainsod A. Natural size variation among embryos leads to the corresponding scaling in gene expression. Dev Biol 2020; 462:165-179. [PMID: 32259520 PMCID: PMC8073595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Xenopus laevis frogs from laboratory stocks normally lay eggs exhibiting extensive size variability. We find that these initial size differences subsequently affect the size of the embryos prior to the onset of growth, and the size of tadpoles during the growth period. Even though these tadpoles differ in size, their tissues, organs, and structures always seem to be properly proportioned, i.e. they display static allometry. Initial axial patterning events in Xenopus occur in a spherical embryo, allowing easy documentation of their size-dependent features. We examined the size distribution of early Xenopus laevis embryos and measured diameters that differed by about 38% with a median of about 1.43 mm. This range of embryo sizes corresponds to about a 1.9-fold difference in surface area and a 2.6-fold difference in volume. We examined the relationship between embryo size and gene expression and observed a significant correlation between diameter and RNA content during gastrula stages. In addition, we investigated the expression levels of genes that pattern the mesoderm, induce the nervous system and mediate the progression of ectodermal cells to neural precursors in large and small embryos. We found that most of these factors were expressed at levels that scaled with the different embryo sizes and total embryo RNA content. In agreement with the changes in transcript levels, the expression domains in larger embryos increased proportionally with the increase in surface area, maintaining their relative expression domain size in relation to the total size of the embryo. Thus, our study identified a mechanism for adapting gene expression domains to embryo size by adjusting the transcript levels of the genes regulating mesoderm induction and patterning. In the neural plate, besides the scaling of the expression domains, we observed similar cell sizes and cell densities in small and large embryos suggesting that additional cell divisions took place in large embryos to compensate for the increased size. Our results show in detail the size variability among Xenopus laevis embryos and the transcriptional adaptation to scale gene expression with size. The observations further support the involvement of BMP/ADMP signaling in the scaling process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avi Leibovich
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamir Edri
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Steven L Klein
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA
| | - Sally A Moody
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA
| | - Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
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Sosa EA, Moriyama Y, Ding Y, Tejeda-Muñoz N, Colozza G, De Robertis EM. Transcriptome analysis of regeneration during Xenopus laevis experimental twinning. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 63:301-309. [PMID: 31250914 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.190006ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Animal embryos have the remarkable property of self-organization. Over 125 years ago, Hans Driesch separated the two blastomeres of sea urchin embryos and obtained twins, in what was the foundation of experimental embryology. Since then, embryonic twinning has been obtained experimentally in many animals. In a recent study, we developed bisection methods that generate identical twins reliably from Xenopus blastula embryos. In the present study, we have investigated the transcriptome of regenerating half-embryos after sagittal and dorsal-ventral (D-V) bisections. Individual embryos were operated at midblastula (stage 8) with an eyelash hair and cultured until early gastrula (stage 10.5) or late gastrula (stage 12) and the transcriptome of both halves were analyzed by RNA-seq. Since many genes are activated by wound healing in Xenopus embryos, we resorted to stringent sequence analyses and identified genes up-regulated in identical twins but not in either dorsal or ventral fragments. At early gastrula, cell division-related transcripts such as histones were elevated, whereas at late gastrula, pluripotency genes (such as sox2) and germ layer determination genes (such as eomesodermin, ripply2 and activin receptor ACVRI) were identified. Among the down-regulated transcripts, sizzled, a regulator of Chordin stability, was prominent. These findings are consistent with a model in which cell division is required to heal damage, while maintaining pluripotency to allow formation of the organizer with a displacement of 90 0 from its original site. The extensive transcriptomic data presented here provides a valuable resource for data mining of gene expression during early vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Sosa
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Feltes BC, Grisci BI, Poloni JDF, Dorn M. Perspectives and applications of machine learning for evolutionary developmental biology. Mol Omics 2018; 14:289-306. [PMID: 30168572 DOI: 10.1039/c8mo00111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) is an ever-expanding field that aims to understand how development was modulated by the evolutionary process. In this sense, "omic" studies emerged as a powerful ally to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying development. In this scenario, bioinformatics tools become necessary to analyze the growing amount of information. Among computational approaches, machine learning stands out as a promising field to generate knowledge and trace new research perspectives for bioinformatics. In this review, we aim to expose the current advances of machine learning applied to evolution and development. We draw clear perspectives and argue how evolution impacted machine learning techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno César Feltes
- Institute of Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Embryonic regeneration by relocalization of the Spemann organizer during twinning in Xenopus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E4815-E4822. [PMID: 29686106 PMCID: PMC6003488 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1802749115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of identical twins from a single egg has fascinated developmental biologists for a very long time. Previous work had shown that Xenopus blastulae bisected along the dorsal-ventral (D-V) midline (i.e., the sagittal plane) could generate twins but at very low frequencies. Here, we have improved this method by using an eyelash knife and changing saline solutions, reaching frequencies of twinning of 50% or more. This allowed mechanistic analysis of the twinning process. We unexpectedly observed that the epidermis of the resulting twins was asymmetrically pigmented at the tailbud stage of regenerating tadpoles. This pigment was entirely of maternal (oocyte) origin. Bisecting the embryo generated a large wound, which closed from all directions within 60 minutes, bringing cells normally fated to become Spemann organizer in direct contact with predicted ventral-most cells. Lineage-tracing analyses at the four-cell stage showed that in regenerating embryos midline tissues originated from the dorsal half, while the epidermis was entirely of ventral origin. Labeling of D-V segments at the 16-cell stage showed that the more pigmented epidermis originated from the ventral-most cells, while the less-pigmented epidermis arose from the adjoining ventral segment. This suggested a displacement of the organizer by 90°. Studies with the marker Chordin and phospho-Smad1/5/8 showed that in half embryos a new D-V gradient is intercalated at the site of the missing half. The displacement of self-organizing morphogen gradients uncovered here may help us understand not only twin formation in amphibians, but also rare cases of polyembryony.
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