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El Mir J, Nasrallah A, Thézé N, Cario M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Thiébaud P, Rezvani HR. Xenopus as a model system for studying pigmentation and pigmentary disorders. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024. [PMID: 38849973 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13178] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Human pigmentary disorders encompass a broad spectrum of phenotypic changes arising from disruptions in various stages of melanocyte formation, the melanogenesis process, or the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes. A large number of pigmentation genes associated with pigmentary disorders have been identified, many of them awaiting in vivo confirmation. A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of pigmentary disorders requires a vertebrate animal model where changes in pigmentation are easily observable in vivo and can be combined to genomic modifications and gain/loss-of-function tools. Here we present the amphibian Xenopus with its unique features that fulfill these requirements. Changes in pigmentation are particularly easy to score in Xenopus embryos, allowing whole-organism based phenotypic screening. The development and behavior of Xenopus melanocytes closely mimic those observed in mammals. Interestingly, both Xenopus and mammalian skins exhibit comparable reactions to ultraviolet radiation. This review highlights how Xenopus constitutes an alternative and complementary model to the more commonly used mouse and zebrafish, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in melanocyte cell biology and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joudi El Mir
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ali Nasrallah
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nadine Thézé
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
| | - Muriel Cario
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
- Aquiderm, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hussein Fayyad-Kazan
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Pierre Thiébaud
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hamid-Reza Rezvani
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm, BRIC, UMR 1312, Bordeaux, France
- Aquiderm, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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2
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Ozerov MY, Noreikiene K, Kahar S, Flajšhans M, Gross R, Vasemägi A. Differential expression and alternative splicing analyses of multiple tissues reveal albinism-associated genes in the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 271:110941. [PMID: 38218377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2024.110941] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Albinism is a widespread departure from a typical body colouration due to altered melanin production. The Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is among the largest freshwater fish species in the world, and albino individuals occur both in the wild and in aquaculture. Here, we performed transcriptome-wide analysis of albino and normally pigmented S. glanis using four tissues (skin, dorsal fin, whole eye and liver) to identify genes associated with albinism by exploring patterns of differential expression (DE) and differential alternative splicing (DAS). Multi-tissue analyses revealed a large number of genes in skin (n = 1355) and fin (n = 614) tissue associated with the albino phenotype in S. glanis, while the number of DE genes in eye and liver tissues was lower (n = 188, n = 189, respectively). Several DE genes across multiple tissues were detected as the most promising candidates (e.g., hsp4, hsp90b1, raph1, uqcrfs1, adcy-family and wnt-family) potentially causally linked to the albino phenotype in Wels catfish. Moreover, our findings supported earlier observations of physiological differences between albino and normally pigmented individuals, particularly in energy metabolism and immune response. In contrast, there were only a few pigmentation-related genes observed among DAS genes (4 in skin, 2 in fin), the overlap between DAS and DE genes was low (n = 25) and did not include known pigmentation-related genes. This suggests that DAS and DE in Wels catfish are, to a large extent, independent processes, and the observed alternative splicing cases are probably not causally linked with albinism in S. glanis. This work provides the first transcriptome-wide multi-tissue insights into the albinism of Wels catfish and serves as a valuable resource for further understanding the genetic mechanisms of pigmentation in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Y Ozerov
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Freshwater Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 17893 Drottningholm, Sweden; Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland; Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - K Noreikiene
- Chair of Aquaculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 46, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; Department of Botany and Genetics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania. https://twitter.com/snaudale
| | - S Kahar
- Chair of Aquaculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 46, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - M Flajšhans
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - R Gross
- Chair of Aquaculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 46, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - A Vasemägi
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Freshwater Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 17893 Drottningholm, Sweden; Chair of Aquaculture, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 46, 51006 Tartu, Estonia.
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3
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Adebogun GT, Bachmann AE, Callan AA, Khan U, Lewis AR, Pollock AC, Alfonso SA, Arango Sumano D, Bhatt DA, Cullen AB, Hajian CM, Huang W, Jaeger EL, Li E, Maske AK, Offenberg EG, Ta V, Whiting WW, McKinney JE, Butler J, O’Connell LA. Albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles prefer dark environments compared to wild type. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000750. [PMID: 36824381 PMCID: PMC9941856 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tadpoles display preferences for different environments but the sensory modalities that govern these choices are not well understood. Here, we examined light preferences and associated sensory mechanisms of albino and wild-type Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We found that albino tadpoles spent more time in darker environments compared to the wild type, although they showed no differences in overall activity. This preference persisted when the tadpoles had their optic nerve severed or pineal glands removed, suggesting these sensory systems alone are not necessary for phototaxis. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how X. laevis tadpole behavior assays in a classroom setting can reveal new insights into animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace T Adebogun
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Annabelle E Bachmann
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Ashlyn A Callan
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Ummara Khan
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Amaris R Lewis
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Alexa C Pollock
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Sebastian A Alfonso
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Daniel Arango Sumano
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Dhruv A Bhatt
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Aidan B Cullen
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Cyrus M Hajian
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Winnie Huang
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emma L Jaeger
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emily Li
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - A. Kaile Maske
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emma G Offenberg
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Vy Ta
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Waymon W Whiting
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Jordan E McKinney
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Julie Butler
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Correspondence to: Julie Butler (
)
| | - Lauren A O’Connell
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Correspondence to: Lauren A O’Connell (
)
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4
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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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5
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Iwanami N, Ozaki Y, Sakaguchi H, Watanabe Y, Meng Q, Matsumoto K, Suzuki T, Hitomi K, Matsuda M. Evolutionarily conserved role of hps1 in melanin production and blood coagulation in medaka fish. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6659099. [PMID: 35944207 PMCID: PMC9526055 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by albinism, visual impairment, and blood platelet dysfunction. One of the genes responsible for Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, hps1, regulates organelle biogenesis and thus plays important roles in melanin production, blood clotting, and the other organelle-related functions in humans and mice. However, the function of hps1 in other species remains poorly understood. In this study, we discovered albino medaka fish during the maintenance of a wild-derived population and identified hps1 as the responsible gene using positional cloning. In addition to the specific absence of melanophore pigmentation, the hps1 mutant showed reduced blood coagulation, suggesting that hps1 is involved in clotting caused by both mammalian platelets and fish thrombocytes. Together, the findings of our study demonstrate that hps1 has an evolutionarily conserved role in melanin production and blood coagulation. In addition, our study presents a useful vertebrate model for understanding the molecular mechanisms of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimasa Iwanami
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University , Utsunomiya 321-8505, Japan
| | - Yuka Ozaki
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University , Utsunomiya 321-8505, Japan
| | - Hiyori Sakaguchi
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University , Utsunomiya 321-8505, Japan
| | - Yuko Watanabe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University , Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Qi Meng
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University , Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | | | - Tomohiro Suzuki
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University , Utsunomiya 321-8505, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Hitomi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University , Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Masaru Matsuda
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University , Utsunomiya 321-8505, Japan
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6
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Haynes EM, Ulland TK, Eliceiri KW. A Model of Discovery: The Role of Imaging Established and Emerging Non-mammalian Models in Neuroscience. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:867010. [PMID: 35493325 PMCID: PMC9046975 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.867010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents have been the dominant animal models in neurobiology and neurological disease research over the past 60 years. The prevalent use of rats and mice in neuroscience research has been driven by several key attributes including their organ physiology being more similar to humans, the availability of a broad variety of behavioral tests and genetic tools, and widely accessible reagents. However, despite the many advances in understanding neurobiology that have been achieved using rodent models, there remain key limitations in the questions that can be addressed in these and other mammalian models. In particular, in vivo imaging in mammals at the cell-resolution level remains technically difficult and demands large investments in time and cost. The simpler nervous systems of many non-mammalian models allow for precise mapping of circuits and even the whole brain with impressive subcellular resolution. The types of non-mammalian neuroscience models available spans vertebrates and non-vertebrates, so that an appropriate model for most cell biological questions in neurodegenerative disease likely exists. A push to diversify the models used in neuroscience research could help address current gaps in knowledge, complement existing rodent-based bodies of work, and bring new insight into our understanding of human disease. Moreover, there are inherent aspects of many non-mammalian models such as lifespan and tissue transparency that can make them specifically advantageous for neuroscience studies. Crispr/Cas9 gene editing and decreased cost of genome sequencing combined with advances in optical microscopy enhances the utility of new animal models to address specific questions. This review seeks to synthesize current knowledge of established and emerging non-mammalian model organisms with advances in cellular-resolution in vivo imaging techniques to suggest new approaches to understand neurodegeneration and neurobiological processes. We will summarize current tools and in vivo imaging approaches at the single cell scale that could help lead to increased consideration of non-mammalian models in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Haynes
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, United States
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Tyler K. Ulland
- Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kevin W. Eliceiri
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, United States
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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7
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Fukuzawa T. Periodic albinism of a widely used albino mutant of Xenopus laevis caused by deletion of two exons in the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 4 gene. Genes Cells 2020; 26:31-39. [PMID: 33147376 PMCID: PMC7839477 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The periodic albino mutant of Xenopus laevis is a recessive mutant, in which reduced amounts of melanin appear in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and in melanophores at the late embryonic stage, after which both RPE and melanophores gradually depigment. Three types of pigment cells (melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores) have been reported to be affected in this albino. However, the causative gene of the periodic albinism remains unknown. Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects humans and mice, which is caused by defective biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles (LROs). Two subgenomes (L and S) are present in the allotetraploid frog X. laevis. Comparison of genes between the chromosomes 1L and 1S revealed that the HPS type 4 (hps4) gene was present only in chromosome 1L. In the albino mutant, a 1.9 kb genomic deletion in the hps4.L gene including exons 7 and 8 caused a premature stop codon to create a truncated Hps4 protein. Injection of wild‐type hps4.L mRNA into mutant embryos rescued the albino phenotype. These findings indicate that hps4 is a causative gene for the periodic albinism in X. laevis. The phenotype of this mutant should be reassessed from the perspective of LRO biogenesis.
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