1
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Saeki N, Inui-Yamamoto C, Ikeda Y, Kanai R, Hata K, Itoh S, Inubushi T, Akiyama S, Ohba S, Abe M. Deletion of Trps1 regulatory elements recapitulates postnatal hip joint abnormalities and growth retardation of Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome in mice. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1618-1629. [PMID: 38899779 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae102] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a genetic disorder caused by point mutations or deletions in the gene-encoding transcription factor TRPS1. TRPS patients display a range of skeletal dysplasias, including reduced jaw size, short stature, and a cone-shaped digit epiphysis. Certain TRPS patients experience early onset coxarthrosis that leads to a devastating drop in their daily activities. The etiologies of congenital skeletal abnormalities of TRPS were revealed through the analysis of Trps1 mutant mouse strains. However, early postnatal lethality in Trps1 knockout mice has hampered the study of postnatal TRPS pathology. Here, through epigenomic analysis we identified two previously uncharacterized candidate gene regulatory regions in the first intron of Trps1. We deleted these regions, either individually or simultaneously, and examined their effects on skeletal morphogenesis. Animals that were deleted individually for either region displayed only modest phenotypes. In contrast, the Trps1Δint/Δint mouse strain with simultaneous deletion of both genomic regions exhibit postnatal growth retardation. This strain displayed delayed secondary ossification center formation in the long bones and misshaped hip joint development that resulted in acetabular dysplasia. Reducing one allele of the Trps1 gene in Trps1Δint mice resulted in medial patellar dislocation that has been observed in some patients with TRPS. Our novel Trps1 hypomorphic strain recapitulates many postnatal pathologies observed in human TRPS patients, thus positioning this strain as a useful animal model to study postnatal TRPS pathogenesis. Our observations also suggest that Trps1 gene expression is regulated through several regulatory elements, thus guaranteeing robust expression maintenance in skeletal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Saeki
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Special Needs Dentistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Chizuko Inui-Yamamoto
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuki Ikeda
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Rinna Kanai
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Orofacial Function, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kenji Hata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shousaku Itoh
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Inubushi
- Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shigehisa Akiyama
- Department of Special Needs Dentistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ohba
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Makoto Abe
- Department of Tissue and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Yamada-oka 1-8, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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2
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Truong BT, Shull LC, Lencer E, Bend EG, Field M, Blue EE, Bamshad MJ, Skinner C, Everman D, Schwartz CE, Flanagan-Steet H, Artinger KB. PRDM1 DNA-binding zinc finger domain is required for normal limb development and is disrupted in split hand/foot malformation. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049977. [PMID: 37083955 PMCID: PMC10151829 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049977] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Split hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a rare limb abnormality with clefting of the fingers and/or toes. For many individuals, the genetic etiology is unknown. Through whole-exome and targeted sequencing, we detected three novel variants in a gene encoding a transcription factor, PRDM1, that arose de novo in families with SHFM or segregated with the phenotype. PRDM1 is required for limb development; however, its role is not well understood and it is unclear how the PRDM1 variants affect protein function. Using transient and stable overexpression rescue experiments in zebrafish, we show that the variants disrupt the proline/serine-rich and DNA-binding zinc finger domains, resulting in a dominant-negative effect. Through gene expression assays, RNA sequencing, and CUT&RUN in isolated pectoral fin cells, we demonstrate that Prdm1a directly binds to and regulates genes required for fin induction, outgrowth and anterior/posterior patterning, such as fgfr1a, dlx5a, dlx6a and smo. Taken together, these results improve our understanding of the role of PRDM1 in the limb gene regulatory network and identified novel PRDM1 variants that link to SHFM in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany T. Truong
- Human Medical Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Lomeli C. Shull
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ezra Lencer
- Biology Department, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA
| | - Eric G. Bend
- Greenwood Genetics Center, Greenwood, SC 29646, USA
| | - Michael Field
- Genetics of Learning Disability Service, Hunter Genetics, Waratah, NSW 2298, AUS
| | - Elizabeth E. Blue
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Brotman-Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael J. Bamshad
- Brotman-Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kristin B. Artinger
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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3
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Prykhozhij SV, Caceres L, Ban K, Cordeiro-Santanach A, Nagaraju K, Hoffman EP, Berman JN. Loss of calpain3b in Zebrafish, a Model of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Increases Susceptibility to Muscle Defects Due to Elevated Muscle Activity. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:492. [PMID: 36833417 PMCID: PMC9957097 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type R1 (LGMDR1; formerly LGMD2A), characterized by progressive hip and shoulder muscle weakness, is caused by mutations in CAPN3. In zebrafish, capn3b mediates Def-dependent degradation of p53 in the liver and intestines. We show that capn3b is expressed in the muscle. To model LGMDR1 in zebrafish, we generated three deletion mutants in capn3b and a positive-control dmd mutant (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Two partial deletion mutants showed transcript-level reduction, whereas the RNA-less mutant lacked capn3b mRNA. All capn3b homozygous mutants were developmentally-normal adult-viable animals. Mutants in dmd were homozygous-lethal. Bathing wild-type and capn3b mutants in 0.8% methylcellulose (MC) for 3 days beginning 2 days post-fertilization resulted in significantly pronounced (20-30%) birefringence-detectable muscle abnormalities in capn3b mutant embryos. Evans Blue staining for sarcolemma integrity loss was strongly positive in dmd homozygotes, negative in wild-type embryos, and negative in MC-treated capn3b mutants, suggesting membrane instability is not a primary muscle pathology determinant. Increased birefringence-detected muscle abnormalities in capn3b mutants compared to wild-type animals were observed following induced hypertonia by exposure to cholinesterase inhibitor, azinphos-methyl, reinforcing the MC results. These mutant fish represent a novel tractable model for studying the mechanisms underlying muscle repair and remodeling, and as a preclinical tool for whole-animal therapeutics and behavioral screening in LGMDR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V. Prykhozhij
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute & University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Lucia Caceres
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J1, Canada
- AGADA BioSciences, Halifax, NS B3H 0A8, Canada
| | - Kevin Ban
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute & University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | | | - Kanneboyina Nagaraju
- AGADA BioSciences, Halifax, NS B3H 0A8, Canada
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University—State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Eric P. Hoffman
- AGADA BioSciences, Halifax, NS B3H 0A8, Canada
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University—State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Jason N. Berman
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute & University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
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4
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Henke K, Farmer DT, Niu X, Kraus JM, Galloway JL, Youngstrom DW. Genetically engineered zebrafish as models of skeletal development and regeneration. Bone 2023; 167:116611. [PMID: 36395960 PMCID: PMC11080330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116611] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are aquatic vertebrates with significant homology to their terrestrial counterparts. While zebrafish have a centuries-long track record in developmental and regenerative biology, their utility has grown exponentially with the onset of modern genetics. This is exemplified in studies focused on skeletal development and repair. Herein, the numerous contributions of zebrafish to our understanding of the basic science of cartilage, bone, tendon/ligament, and other skeletal tissues are described, with a particular focus on applications to development and regeneration. We summarize the genetic strengths that have made the zebrafish a powerful model to understand skeletal biology. We also highlight the large body of existing tools and techniques available to understand skeletal development and repair in the zebrafish and introduce emerging methods that will aid in novel discoveries in skeletal biology. Finally, we review the unique contributions of zebrafish to our understanding of regeneration and highlight diverse routes of repair in different contexts of injury. We conclude that zebrafish will continue to fill a niche of increasing breadth and depth in the study of basic cellular mechanisms of skeletal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Henke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - D'Juan T Farmer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Xubo Niu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Jessica M Kraus
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
| | - Jenna L Galloway
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Daniel W Youngstrom
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
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5
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Fin ray branching is defined by TRAP + osteolytic tubules in zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2209231119. [PMID: 36417434 PMCID: PMC9889879 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2209231119] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The shaping of bone structures relies on various cell types and signaling pathways. Here, we use the zebrafish bifurcating fin rays during regeneration to investigate bone patterning. We found that the regenerating fin rays form via two mineralization fronts that undergo an osteoblast-dependent fusion/stitching until the branchpoint, and that bifurcation is not simply the splitting of one unit into two. We identified tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteolytic tubular structures at the branchpoints, hereafter named osteolytic tubules (OLTs). Chemical inhibition of their bone-resorbing activity strongly impairs ray bifurcation, indicating that OLTs counteract the stitching process. Furthermore, by testing different osteoactive compounds, we show that the position of the branchpoint depends on the balance between bone mineralization and resorption activities. Overall, these findings provide a unique perspective on fin ray formation and bifurcation, and reveal a key role for OLTs in defining the proximo-distal position of the branchpoint.
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6
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Blackwell DL, Fraser SD, Caluseriu O, Vivori C, Tyndall AV, Lamont RE, Parboosingh JS, Innes AM, Bernier FP, Childs SJ. Hnrnpul1 controls transcription, splicing, and modulates skeletal and limb development in vivo. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6553027. [PMID: 35325113 PMCID: PMC9073674 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in RNA-binding proteins can lead to pleiotropic phenotypes including craniofacial, skeletal, limb, and neurological symptoms. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are involved in nucleic acid binding, transcription, and splicing through direct binding to DNA and RNA, or through interaction with other proteins in the spliceosome. We show a developmental role for Hnrnpul1 in zebrafish, resulting in reduced body and fin growth and missing bones. Defects in craniofacial tendon growth and adult-onset caudal scoliosis are also seen. We demonstrate a role for Hnrnpul1 in alternative splicing and transcriptional regulation using RNA-sequencing, particularly of genes involved in translation, ubiquitination, and DNA damage. Given its cross-species conservation and role in splicing, it would not be surprising if it had a role in human development. Whole-exome sequencing detected a homozygous frameshift variant in HNRNPUL1 in 2 siblings with congenital limb malformations, which is a candidate gene for their limb malformations. Zebrafish Hnrnpul1 mutants suggest an important developmental role of hnRNPUL1 and provide motivation for exploring the potential conservation of ancient regulatory circuits involving hnRNPUL1 in human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L Blackwell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sherri D Fraser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Oana Caluseriu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Claudia Vivori
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain
| | - Amanda V Tyndall
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Ryan E Lamont
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jillian S Parboosingh
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - A Micheil Innes
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - François P Bernier
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sarah J Childs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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7
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Chowdhury K, Lin S, Lai SL. Comparative Study in Zebrafish and Medaka Unravels the Mechanisms of Tissue Regeneration. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.783818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue regeneration has been in the spotlight of research for its fascinating nature and potential applications in human diseases. The trait of regenerative capacity occurs diversely across species and tissue contexts, while it seems to decline over evolution. Organisms with variable regenerative capacity are usually distinct in phylogeny, anatomy, and physiology. This phenomenon hinders the feasibility of studying tissue regeneration by directly comparing regenerative with non-regenerative animals, such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mice (Mus musculus). Medaka (Oryzias latipes) is a fish model with a complete reference genome and shares a common ancestor with zebrafish approximately 110–200 million years ago (compared to 650 million years with mice). Medaka shares similar features with zebrafish, including size, diet, organ system, gross anatomy, and living environment. However, while zebrafish regenerate almost every organ upon experimental injury, medaka shows uneven regenerative capacity. Their common and distinct biological features make them a unique platform for reciprocal analyses to understand the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. Here we summarize current knowledge about tissue regeneration in these fish models in terms of injured tissues, repairing mechanisms, available materials, and established technologies. We further highlight the concept of inter-species and inter-organ comparisons, which may reveal mechanistic insights and hint at therapeutic strategies for human diseases.
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8
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Schwaner MJ, Hsieh ST, Braasch I, Bradley S, Campos CB, Collins CE, Donatelli CM, Fish FE, Fitch OE, Flammang BE, Jackson BE, Jusufi A, Mekdara PJ, Patel A, Swalla BJ, Vickaryous M, McGowan CP. Future Tail Tales: A Forward-Looking, Integrative Perspective on Tail Research. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:521-537. [PMID: 33999184 PMCID: PMC8680820 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synopsis Tails are a defining characteristic of chordates and show enormous diversity in function and shape. Although chordate tails share a common evolutionary and genetic-developmental origin, tails are extremely versatile in morphology and function. For example, tails can be short or long, thin or thick, and feathered or spiked, and they can be used for propulsion, communication, or balancing, and they mediate in predator-prey outcomes. Depending on the species of animal the tail is attached to, it can have extraordinarily multi-functional purposes. Despite its morphological diversity and broad functional roles, tails have not received similar scientific attention as, for example, the paired appendages such as legs or fins. This forward-looking review article is a first step toward interdisciplinary scientific synthesis in tail research. We discuss the importance of tail research in relation to five topics: (1) evolution and development, (2) regeneration, (3) functional morphology, (4) sensorimotor control, and (5) computational and physical models. Within each of these areas, we highlight areas of research and combinations of long-standing and new experimental approaches to move the field of tail research forward. To best advance a holistic understanding of tail evolution and function, it is imperative to embrace an interdisciplinary approach, re-integrating traditionally siloed fields around discussions on tail-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Schwaner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - S T Hsieh
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - I Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - S Bradley
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - C B Campos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - C E Collins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - C M Donatelli
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - F E Fish
- Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | - O E Fitch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - B E Flammang
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - B E Jackson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Longwood University, Farmville, VA 23909, USA
| | - A Jusufi
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - P J Mekdara
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - A Patel
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - B J Swalla
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - M Vickaryous
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - C P McGowan
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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9
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Truong BT, Artinger KB. The power of zebrafish models for understanding the co-occurrence of craniofacial and limb disorders. Genesis 2021; 59:e23407. [PMID: 33393730 PMCID: PMC8153179 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Craniofacial and limb defects are two of the most common congenital anomalies in the general population. Interestingly, these defects are not mutually exclusive. Many patients with craniofacial phenotypes, such as orofacial clefting and craniosynostosis, also present with limb defects, including polydactyly, syndactyly, brachydactyly, or ectrodactyly. The gene regulatory networks governing craniofacial and limb development initially seem distinct from one another, and yet these birth defects frequently occur together. Both developmental processes are highly conserved among vertebrates, and zebrafish have emerged as an advantageous model due to their high fecundity, relative ease of genetic manipulation, and transparency during development. Here we summarize studies that have used zebrafish models to study human syndromes that present with both craniofacial and limb phenotypes. We discuss the highly conserved processes of craniofacial and limb/fin development and describe recent zebrafish studies that have explored the function of genes associated with human syndromes with phenotypes in both structures. We attempt to identify commonalities between the two to help explain why craniofacial and limb anomalies often occur together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany T. Truong
- Human Medical Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kristin Bruk Artinger
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
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10
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Petersen JC, Ramsay JB. Walking on chains: the morphology and mechanics behind the fin ray derived limbs of sea-robins. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb227140. [PMID: 32709626 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.227140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fish fin rays (lepidotrichia) are typically composed of paired and segmented flexible structures (hemitrichia) that help support and change the shape of the fins to affect water flow. Yet, marine ray-finned fish that are members of the family Priontinae (sea-robins) have specialized pectoral fin rays that are separated from the fin and used as limbs to walk along the seafloor. While previous kinematic studies have demonstrated the use of these specialized fin rays as walking appendages, there is little information on how the morphology of the 'walking rays' and associated musculature facilitate underwater walking. Here, we examine the musculoskeletal anatomy of the walking and pectoral fin rays in the striped sea-robin Prionotus evolans and compare the mechanical properties of the rays with those of the smaller northern sea-robin Prionotus carolinus We aimed to determine what structural modifications in the walking rays allow them to function as a supportive limb. We found enlarged processes for muscle attachment, bone extensions that brace the hemitrich articulations, and reduced flexibility and increased second moment of area along the rostro-caudal bending axis in the rays used for walking. This novel limb design may have promoted the benthic foraging behavior exhibited by these species by uncoupling locomotion and feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod C Petersen
- Biological Department, College of Mathematics and Sciences, Westfield State University, 577 Western Avenue, Westfield, MA 01086, USA
| | - Jason B Ramsay
- Biological Department, College of Mathematics and Sciences, Westfield State University, 577 Western Avenue, Westfield, MA 01086, USA
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11
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Garland MA, Geier MC, Bugel SM, Shankar P, Dunham CL, Brown JM, Tilton SC, Tanguay RL. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediates Larval Zebrafish Fin Duplication Following Exposure to Benzofluoranthenes. Toxicol Sci 2020; 176:46-64. [PMID: 32384158 PMCID: PMC7357178 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates developmental toxicity of several xenobiotic classes including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Using embryonic zebrafish, we previously identified 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that caused a novel phenotype among AHR ligands-growth of a lateral, duplicate caudal fin fold. The window of sensitivity to the most potent inducer of this phenotype, benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), was prior to 36 h postfertilization (hpf), although the phenotype was not manifest until 60 hpf. AHR dependency via Ahr2 was demonstrated using morpholino knockdown. Hepatocyte ablation demonstrated that hepatic metabolism of BkF was not required for the phenotype, nor was it responsible for the window of sensitivity. RNA sequencing performed on caudal trunk tissue from BkF-exposed animals collected at 48, 60, 72, and 96 hpf showed upregulation of genes associated with AHR activation, appendage development, and tissue patterning. Genes encoding fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenic protein ligands, along with retinaldehyde dehydrogenase, were prominently upregulated. Gene Ontology term analysis revealed that upregulated genes were enriched for mesoderm development and fin regeneration, whereas downregulated genes were enriched for Wnt signaling and neuronal development. MetaCore (Clarivate Analytics) systems analysis of orthologous human genes predicted that R-SMADs, AP-1, and LEF1 regulated the expression of an enriched number of gene targets across all time points. Our results demonstrate a novel aspect of AHR activity with implications for developmental processes conserved across vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Garland
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, and Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Mitra C Geier
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, CA 95814
| | - Sean M Bugel
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
| | - Prarthana Shankar
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
| | - Cheryl L Dunham
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
| | - Joseph M Brown
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Richland, Washington 99352
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Susan C Tilton
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
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12
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No Correlation between Endo- and Exoskeletal Regenerative Capacities in Teleost Species. FISHES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes4040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The regeneration of paired appendages in certain fish and amphibian lineages is a well established and extensively studied regenerative phenomenon. The teleost fin is comprised of a proximal endoskeletal part (considered homologous to the Tetrapod limb) and a distal exoskeletal one, and these two parts form their bony elements through different ossification processes. In the past decade, a significant body of literature has been generated about the biology of exoskeletal regeneration in zebrafish. However, it is still not clear if this knowledge can be applied to the regeneration of endoskeletal parts. To address this question, we decided to compare endo- and exoskeletal regenerative capacity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mudskippers (Periophthalmus barbarous). In contrast to the reduced endoskeleton of zebrafish, Periophthalmus has well developed pectoral fins with a large and easily accessible endoskeleton. We performed exo- and endoskeletal amputations in both species and followed the regenerative processes. Unlike the almost flawless exoskeletal regeneration observed in zebrafish, regeneration following endoskeletal amputation is often impaired in this species. This difference is even more pronounced in Periophthalmus where we could observe no regeneration in endoskeletal structures. Therefore, regeneration is regulated differentially in the exo- and endoskeleton of teleost species.
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13
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Hamada H, Uemoto T, Tanaka Y, Honda Y, Kitajima K, Umeda T, Kawakami A, Shinya M, Kawakami K, Tamura K, Abe G. Pattern of fin rays along the antero-posterior axis based on their connection to distal radials. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2019; 5:30. [PMID: 31548912 PMCID: PMC6751676 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0145-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teleost paired fins are composed of two endoskeletal domains, proximal and distal radials, and an exoskeletal domain, the fin ray. The zebrafish pectoral fin displays elaborately patterned radials along the anteroposterior (AP) axis. Radials are considered homologous to tetrapod limb skeletons, and their patterning mechanisms in embryonic development are similar to those of limb development. Nevertheless, the pattern along the AP axis in fin rays has not been well described in the zebrafish pectoral fin, although several recent reports have revealed that fin ray development shares some cellular and genetic properties with fin/limb endoskeleton development. Thus, fin ray morphogenesis may involve developmental mechanisms for AP patterning in the fin/limb endoskeleton, and may have a specific pattern along the AP axis. RESULTS We conducted detailed morphological observations on fin rays and their connection to distal radials by comparing intra- and inter-strain zebrafish specimens. Although the number of fin rays varied, pectoral fin rays could be categorized into three domains along the AP axis, according to the connection between the fin rays and distal radials; additionally, the number of fin rays varied in the posterior part of the three domains. This result was confirmed by observation of the morphogenesis process of fin rays and distal radials, which showed altered localization of distal radials in the middle domain. We also evaluated the expression pattern of lhx genes, which have AP patterning activity in limb development, in fin rays and during distal radial development and found these genes to be expressed during morphogenesis in both fin rays and distal radials. CONCLUSION The fin ray and its connection to the endoskeleton are patterned along the AP axis, and the pattern along the AP axis in the fin ray and the radial connection is constructed by the developmental mechanism related to AP patterning in the limb/fin bud. Our results indicate the possibility that the developmental mechanisms of fin rays and their connection are comparable to those of the distal element of the limb skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Hamada
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Toshiaki Uemoto
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Tanaka
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Yuki Honda
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Keiichi Kitajima
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Tetsuya Umeda
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawakami
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Minori Shinya
- Department of Biology, Keio University, Yokohama, 223-8521 Japan
| | - Koichi Kawakami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540 Japan
- Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540 Japan
| | - Koji Tamura
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Gembu Abe
- Laboratory of Organ Morphogenesis, Department of Ecological Developmental Adaptability Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
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14
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ECM alterations in Fndc3a (Fibronectin Domain Containing Protein 3A) deficient zebrafish cause temporal fin development and regeneration defects. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13383. [PMID: 31527654 PMCID: PMC6746793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50055-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fin development and regeneration are complex biological processes that are highly relevant in teleost fish. They share genetic factors, signaling pathways and cellular properties to coordinate formation of regularly shaped extremities. Especially correct tissue structure defined by extracellular matrix (ECM) formation is essential. Gene expression and protein localization studies demonstrated expression of fndc3a (fibronectin domain containing protein 3a) in both developing and regenerating caudal fins of zebrafish (Danio rerio). We established a hypomorphic fndc3a mutant line (fndc3awue1/wue1) via CRISPR/Cas9, exhibiting phenotypic malformations and changed gene expression patterns during early stages of median fin fold development. These developmental effects are mostly temporary, but result in a fraction of adults with permanent tail fin deformations. In addition, caudal fin regeneration in adult fndc3awue1/wue1 mutants is hampered by interference with actinotrichia formation and epidermal cell organization. Investigation of the ECM implies that loss of epidermal tissue structure is a common cause for both of the observed defects. Our results thereby provide a molecular link between these developmental processes and foreshadow Fndc3a as a novel temporal regulator of epidermal cell properties during extremity development and regeneration in zebrafish.
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15
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Esteve-Altava B, Molnar JL, Johnston P, Hutchinson JR, Diogo R. Anatomical network analysis of the musculoskeletal system reveals integration loss and parcellation boost during the fins-to-limbs transition. Evolution 2019; 72:601-618. [PMID: 29363112 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tetrapods evolved from within the lobe-finned fishes around 370 Ma. The evolution of limbs from lobe-fins entailed a major reorganization of the skeletal and muscular anatomy of appendages in early tetrapods. Concurrently, a degree of similarity between pectoral and pelvic appendages also evolved. Here, we compared the anatomy of appendages in extant lobe-finned fishes (Latimeria and Neoceratodus) and anatomically plesiomorphic amphibians (Ambystoma, Salamandra) and amniotes (Sphenodon) to trace and reconstruct the musculoskeletal changes that took place during the fins-to-limbs transition. We quantified the anatomy of appendages using network analysis. First, we built network models-in which nodes represent bones and muscles, and links represent their anatomical connections-and then we measured network parameters related to their anatomical integration, heterogeneity, and modularity. Our results reveal an evolutionary transition toward less integrated, more modular appendages. We interpret this transition as a diversification of muscle functions in tetrapods compared to lobe-finned fishes. Limbs and lobe-fins show also a greater similarity between their pectoral and pelvic appendages than ray-fins do. These findings on extant species provide a basis for future quantitative and comprehensive reconstructions of the anatomy of limbs in early tetrapod fossils, and a way to better understand the fins-to-limbs transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Esteve-Altava
- Structure and Motion Lab, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom.,Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia 20059
| | - Julia L Molnar
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia 20059
| | - Peter Johnston
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John R Hutchinson
- Structure and Motion Lab, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Diogo
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia 20059
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16
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Li L, Xiao Q, Wang L, Chang Z. Expression analysis of And4 during fin regeneration in Misgurnus anguillicaudatus provides insights into its function. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2019; 45:935-942. [PMID: 30612337 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-018-0602-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Identifying proteins that regulate fin injury is critical to our understanding of regeneration as it relates to both acute wound injury and tissue formation. We have cloned the full-length cDNA of the actinodin4 (and4) gene of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (MaAnd4) by the RACE method (GenBank Accession No. MG385835). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis during fin regeneration indicated a sudden increase in MaAnd4 expression, with a peak at 3 days post amputation (dpa). In situ analysis showed that MaAnd4 is located in the distal blastema and cells lining the regions of actinotrichia formation at 3 dpa. The highest levels of MaAnd4 expression were observed in the adult testis as well as in the gastrulae during embryonic development. Southern blotting confirmed the existence of and4 in teleosts but not in tetrapods examined. The results show the expression of this gene in actinotrichia formation and its association with fin/limb regeneration ability in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China.
| | - Qian Xiao
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- Molecular and Genetic Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46# East of Construction Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
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17
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Phan HE, Northorp M, Lalonde RL, Ngo D, Akimenko MA. Differential actinodin1 regulation in embryonic development and adult fin regeneration in Danio rerio. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216370. [PMID: 31048899 PMCID: PMC6497306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinotrichia are the first exoskeletal elements formed during zebrafish fin development. These rigid fibrils serve as skeletal support for the fin fold and as substrates for mesenchymal cell migration. In the adult intact fins, actinotrichia are restricted to the distal domain of the fin. Following fin amputation, actinotrichia also reform during regeneration. The actinodin gene family codes for structural proteins of actinotrichia. We have previously identified cis-acting regulatory elements in a 2kb genomic region upstream of the first exon of actinodin1, termed 2P, required for tissue-specific expression in the fin fold ectoderm and mesenchyme during embryonic development. Indeed, 2P contains an ectodermal enhancer in a 150bp region named epi. Deletion of epi from 2P results in loss of ectodermal-specific activity. In the present study, we sought to further characterize the activity of these regulatory sequences throughout fin development and during adult fin regeneration. Using a reporter transgenic approach, we show that a site within the epi region, termed epi3, contains an early mesenchymal-specific repressor. We also show that the larval fin fold ectodermal enhancer within epi3 remains functional in the basal epithelial layer during fin regeneration. We show that the first non-coding exon and first intron of actinodin1 contains a transcriptional enhancer and an alternative promoter that are necessary for the persistence of reporter expression reminiscent of actinodin1 expression during adulthood. Altogether, we have identified cis-acting regulatory elements that are required for tissue-specific expression as well as full recapitulation of actinodin1 expression during adulthood. Furthermore, the characterization of these elements provides us with useful molecular tools for the enhancement of transgene expression in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue-Eileen Phan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marissa Northorp
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert L. Lalonde
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dung Ngo
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Esteve-Altava B, Pierce SE, Molnar JL, Johnston P, Diogo R, Hutchinson JR. Evolutionary parallelisms of pectoral and pelvic network-anatomy from fins to limbs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaau7459. [PMID: 31086814 PMCID: PMC6506248 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau7459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lobe-fins transformed into limbs during the Devonian period, facilitating the water-to-land transition in tetrapods. We traced the evolution of well-articulated skeletons across the fins-to-limbs transition, using a network-based approach to quantify and compare topological features of fins and limbs. We show that the topological arrangement of bones in pectoral and pelvic appendages evolved in parallel during the fins-to-limbs transition, occupying overlapping regions of the morphospace, following a directional trend, and decreasing their disparity over time. We identify the presence of digits as the morphological novelty triggering topological changes that discriminated limbs from fins. The origin of digits caused an evolutionary shift toward appendages that were less densely and heterogeneously connected, but more assortative and modular. Disparity likewise decreased for both appendages, more markedly until a time concomitant with the earliest-known tetrapod tracks. Last, we rejected the presence of a pectoral-pelvic similarity bottleneck at the origin of tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Esteve-Altava
- Structure & Motion Lab, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stephanie E. Pierce
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia L. Molnar
- Department of Anatomy, New York Institute of Technology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter Johnston
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rui Diogo
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - John R. Hutchinson
- Structure & Motion Lab, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
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19
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Nakayama T, Nishino H, Narita J, Abe H, Yamamoto N. Indirect pathway to pectoral fin motor neurons from nucleus ruber in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:957-971. [PMID: 30408166 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Supraspinal motor control systems of pectoral fins remain unclear in teleosts. Nucleus ruber of Goldstein (1905; NRg), which has been identified as the probable homologue of nucleus ruber of tetrapods, is a candidate structure serving for such functions. In the present study, we investigated possible involvement of the NRg in the control of pectoral fin movement by tract-tracing experiments in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Tracer injections into the NRg revealed the fiber course of rubrospinal tract. Rubrospinal fibers crossed the midline at the level of midbrain, descended through the tegmentum, and terminated in a region ventrally adjacent to the dorsal horn at the spinomedullary junction, without reaching the ventral horn where pectoral fin motor neurons are present. Tracer injection experiments into the dorsal horn region resulted in labeled terminals in proximities of presumed pectoral fin motor neurons in the ventral horn. Tracer injection experiments into the ventral horn resulted in retrogradely labeled neurons ventrally adjacent to the dorsal horn, where labeled terminals were detected following rubral injections. These anatomical analyses suggest that the NRg of actinopterygians is involved in the control of pectoral fin motor neurons through an indirect pathway via interneurons in the dorsal horn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Nakayama
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Nishino
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Junya Narita
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Abe
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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20
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Wood TWP, Nakamura T. Problems in Fish-to-Tetrapod Transition: Genetic Expeditions Into Old Specimens. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:70. [PMID: 30062096 PMCID: PMC6054942 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The fish-to-tetrapod transition is one of the fundamental problems in evolutionary biology. A significant amount of paleontological data has revealed the morphological trajectories of skeletons, such as those of the skull, vertebrae, and appendages in vertebrate history. Shifts in bone differentiation, from dermal to endochondral bones, are key to explaining skeletal transformations during the transition from water to land. However, the genetic underpinnings underlying the evolution of dermal and endochondral bones are largely missing. Recent genetic approaches utilizing model organisms—zebrafish, frogs, chickens, and mice—reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying vertebrate skeletal development and provide new insights for how the skeletal system has evolved. Currently, our experimental horizons to test evolutionary hypotheses are being expanded to non-model organisms with state-of-the-art techniques in molecular biology and imaging. An integration of functional genomics, developmental genetics, and high-resolution CT scanning into evolutionary inquiries allows us to reevaluate our understanding of old specimens. Here, we summarize the current perspectives in genetic programs underlying the development and evolution of the dermal skull roof, shoulder girdle, and appendages. The ratio shifts of dermal and endochondral bones, and its underlying mechanisms, during the fish-to-tetrapod transition are particularly emphasized. Recent studies have suggested the novel cell origins of dermal bones, and the interchangeability between dermal and endochondral bones, obscuring the ontogenetic distinction of these two types of bones. Assimilation of ontogenetic knowledge of dermal and endochondral bones from different structures demands revisions of the prevalent consensus in the evolutionary mechanisms of vertebrate skeletal shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W P Wood
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Tetsuya Nakamura
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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21
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Coelacanth-specific adaptive genes give insights into primitive evolution for water-to-land transition of tetrapods. Mar Genomics 2018; 38:89-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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22
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Lalonde RL, Akimenko MA. Effects of fin fold mesenchyme ablation on fin development in zebrafish. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192500. [PMID: 29420592 PMCID: PMC5805328 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the tetrapod limb involved an expansion and elaboration of the endoskeletal elements, while the fish fin rays were lost. Loss of fin-specific genes, and regulatory changes in key appendicular patterning genes have been identified as mechanisms of limb evolution, however their contributions to cellular organization and tissue differences between fins and limbs remains poorly understood. During early larval fin development, hoxa13a/hoxd13a-expressing fin fold mesenchyme migrate through the median and pectoral fin along actinotrichia fibrils, non-calcified skeletal elements crucial for supporting the fin fold. Fin fold mesenchyme migration defects have previously been proposed as a mechanism of fin dermal bone loss during tetrapod evolution as it has been shown they contribute directly to the fin ray osteoblast population. Using the nitroreductase/metronidazole system, we genetically ablated a subset of hoxa13a/hoxd13a-expressing fin fold mesenchyme to assess its contributions to fin development. Following the ablation of fin fold mesenchyme in larvae, the actinotrichia are unable to remain rigid and the median and pectoral fin folds collapse, resulting in a reduced fin fold size. The remaining cells following ablation are unable to migrate and show decreased actinodin1 mesenchymal reporter activity. Actinodin proteins are crucial structural component of the actinotrichia. Additionally, we show a decrease in hoxa13a, hoxd13a, fgf10a and altered shha, and ptch2 expression during larval fin development. A continuous treatment of metronidazole leads to fin ray defects at 30dpf. Fewer rays are present compared to stage-matched control larvae, and these rays are shorter and less defined. These results suggest the targeted hoxa13a/hoxd13a-expressing mesenchyme contribute to their own successful migration through their contributions to actinotrichia. Furthermore, due to their fate as fin ray osteoblasts, we propose their initial ablation, and subsequent disorganization produces truncated fin dermal bone elements during late larval stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Lalonde
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Andrée Akimenko
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Tulenko FJ, Massey JL, Holmquist E, Kigundu G, Thomas S, Smith SME, Mazan S, Davis MC. Fin-fold development in paddlefish and catshark and implications for the evolution of the autopod. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2780. [PMID: 28539509 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary origin of the autopod involved a loss of the fin-fold and associated dermal skeleton with a concomitant elaboration of the distal endoskeleton to form a wrist and digits. Developmental studies, primarily from teleosts and amniotes, suggest a model for appendage evolution in which a delay in the AER-to-fin-fold conversion fuelled endoskeletal expansion by prolonging the function of AER-mediated regulatory networks. Here, we characterize aspects of paired fin development in the paddlefish Polyodon spathula (a non-teleost actinopterygian) and catshark Scyliorhinus canicula (chondrichthyan) to explore aspects of this model in a broader phylogenetic context. Our data demonstrate that in basal gnathostomes, the autopod marker HoxA13 co-localizes with the dermoskeleton component And1 to mark the position of the fin-fold, supporting recent work demonstrating a role for HoxA13 in zebrafish fin ray development. Additionally, we show that in paddlefish, the proximal fin and fin-fold mesenchyme share a common mesodermal origin, and that components of the Shh/LIM/Gremlin/Fgf transcriptional network critical to limb bud outgrowth and patterning are expressed in the fin-fold with a profile similar to that of tetrapods. Together these data draw contrast with hypotheses of AER heterochrony and suggest that limb-specific morphologies arose through evolutionary changes in the differentiation outcome of conserved early distal patterning compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank J Tulenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA.,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - James L Massey
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Elishka Holmquist
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA
| | - Gabriel Kigundu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA
| | - Susan M E Smith
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA
| | - Sylvie Mazan
- CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR7232, Observatoire Océanologique, F-66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Marcus C Davis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, GA 30144, USA
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24
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Matsui H. Dopamine system, cerebellum, and nucleus ruber in fish and mammals. Dev Growth Differ 2017; 59:219-227. [PMID: 28547762 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Small teleost fish including zebrafish and medaka have been used as animal models for research because of their small body size, vast amounts of eggs produced, their rapid development, low husbandry costs, and transparency during embryogenesis. Although the body size and appearance seem different, fish and mammals including human still possess anatomical and functional similarities in their brains. This review summarizes the similarities of brain structures and functions between teleost fish and mammalian brains, focusing on the dopamine system, functional regionalization of the cerebellum, and presence of the nucleus ruber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Matsui
- Department of Neuroscience of Disease, Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University, 757, Ichibancho, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata, 951-8585, Japan.,Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 757, Ichibancho, Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata, 951-8585, Japan
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Yamamoto N, Nakayama T, Hagio H. Descending pathways to the spinal cord in teleosts in comparison with mammals, with special attention to rubrospinal pathways. Dev Growth Differ 2017; 59:188-193. [PMID: 28509386 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this article we review descending neural pathways to the spinal cord in teleosts, compared with mammals. Descending pathways to the spinal cord are crucial in controlling various behaviors in vertebrates. The major difference between teleosts and mammals is the lack of corticospinal (or palliospinal) tracts. Other descending pathways, which originate from the brain stem, are basically identical in teleosts and mammals. This suggests the presence of common systems in the spinal motor control by higher order centers. The homologue of nucleus ruber remained unclear in teleosts until recently, and this review pays special attention to the rubrospinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tomoya Nakayama
- Division of Seasonal Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Aichi, Japan.,Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hanako Hagio
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Aichi, Japan
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26
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Lalonde R, Moses D, Zhang J, Cornell N, Ekker M, Akimenko MA. Differential actinodin1 regulation in zebrafish and mouse appendages. Dev Biol 2016; 417:91-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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27
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Ali S, Amina B, Anwar S, Minhas R, Parveen N, Nawaz U, Azam SS, Abbasi AA. Genomic features of human limb specific enhancers. Genomics 2016; 108:143-150. [PMID: 27580967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate important cellular and molecular interactions that regulate patterning and skeletal development, vertebrate limbs served as a model organ. A growing body of evidence from detailed studies on a subset of limb regulators like the HOXD cluster or SHH, reveals the importance of enhancers in limb related developmental and disease processes. Exploiting the recent genome-wide availability of functionally confirmed enhancer dataset, this study establishes regulatory interactions for dozens of human limb developmental genes. From these data, it appears that the long-range regulatory interactions are fairly common during limb development. This observation highlights the significance of chromosomal breaks/translocations in human limb deformities. Transcriptional factor (TF) analysis predicts that the differentiation of early nascent limb-bud into future territories entail distinct TF interaction networks. Conclusively, an important motivation for annotating the human limb specific regulatory networks is to pave way for the systematic exploration of their role in disease and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Ali
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Bibi Amina
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Saneela Anwar
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Computational Biology Lab, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Rashid Minhas
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Nazia Parveen
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Uzma Nawaz
- Department of Statistics, The Women University, Multan 60000, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Sikandar Azam
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Computational Biology Lab, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Amir Ali Abbasi
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
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Nakayama T, Miyajima S, Nishino H, Narita J, Abe H, Yamamoto N. Nucleus Ruber of Actinopterygians. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2016; 88:25-42. [PMID: 27505060 DOI: 10.1159/000447442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nucleus ruber is known as an important supraspinal center that controls forelimb movements in tetrapods, and the rubral homologue may serve similar functions in fishes (motor control of pectoral fin). However, two apparently different structures have been identified as 'nucleus ruber' in actinopterygians. One is nucleus ruber of Goldstein (1905) (NRg), and the other nucleus ruber of Nieuwenhuys and Pouwels (1983) (NRnp). It remains unclear whether one of these nuclei (or perhaps both) is homologous to tetrapod nucleus ruber. To resolve this issue from a phylogenetic point of view, we have investigated the distribution of tegmental neurons retrogradely labeled from the spinal cord in eight actinopterygian species. We also investigated the presence/absence of the two nuclei with Nissl- or Bodian-stained brain section series of an additional 28 actinopterygian species by comparing the morphological features of candidate rubral neurons with those of neurons revealed by the tracer studies. Based on these analyses, the NRg was identified in all actinopterygians investigated in the present study, while the NRnp appears to be absent in basal actinopterygians. The phylogenetic distribution pattern indicates that the NRg is the more likely homologue of nucleus ruber, and the NRnp may be a derived nucleus that emerged during the course of actinopterygian evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Nakayama
- Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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29
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Miyake T, Kumamoto M, Iwata M, Sato R, Okabe M, Koie H, Kumai N, Fujii K, Matsuzaki K, Nakamura C, Yamauchi S, Yoshida K, Yoshimura K, Komoda A, Uyeno T, Abe Y. The pectoral fin muscles of the coelacanthLatimeria chalumnae: Functional and evolutionary implications for the fin-to-limb transition and subsequent evolution of tetrapods. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:1203-23. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Miyake
- The Graduate School of Science and Technology; Keio University; Tokyo Japan
- Department of Anatomy; The Jikei University School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | | | | | - Ryuichi Sato
- Institute of Biomechanical Control Systems; Kanazawa Institute of Technology; Hakusan Japan
| | - Masataka Okabe
- Department of Anatomy; The Jikei University School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroshi Koie
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; Nihon University; Fujisawa Japan
| | - Nori Kumai
- Research Center of Computational Mechanics (RCCM), Inc; Tokyo Japan
| | - Kenichi Fujii
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
| | - Koji Matsuzaki
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
| | - Chiho Nakamura
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
| | | | - Kosuke Yoshida
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
| | | | - Akira Komoda
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
| | - Teruya Uyeno
- National Museum of Nature and Science; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Abe
- Aquamarine Fukushima; Marine Science Museum; Iwaki Japan
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Masselink W, Cole NJ, Fenyes F, Berger S, Sonntag C, Wood A, Nguyen PD, Cohen N, Knopf F, Weidinger G, Hall TE, Currie PD. A somitic contribution to the apical ectodermal ridge is essential for fin formation. Nature 2016; 535:542-6. [DOI: 10.1038/nature18953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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HoxA Genes and the Fin-to-Limb Transition in Vertebrates. J Dev Biol 2016; 4:jdb4010010. [PMID: 29615578 PMCID: PMC5831813 DOI: 10.3390/jdb4010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HoxA genes encode for important DNA-binding transcription factors that act during limb development, regulating primarily gene expression and, consequently, morphogenesis and skeletal differentiation. Within these genes, HoxA11 and HoxA13 were proposed to have played an essential role in the enigmatic evolutionary transition from fish fins to tetrapod limbs. Indeed, comparative gene expression analyses led to the suggestion that changes in their regulation might have been essential for the diversification of vertebrates' appendages. In this review, we highlight three potential modifications in the regulation and function of these genes that may have boosted appendage evolution: (1) the expansion of polyalanine repeats in the HoxA11 and HoxA13 proteins; (2) the origin of +a novel long-non-coding RNA with a possible inhibitory function on HoxA11; and (3) the acquisition of cis-regulatory elements modulating 5' HoxA transcription. We discuss the relevance of these mechanisms for appendage diversification reviewing the current state of the art and performing additional comparative analyses to characterize, in a phylogenetic framework, HoxA11 and HoxA13 expression, alanine composition within the encoded proteins, long-non-coding RNAs and cis-regulatory elements.
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32
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Anwar S, Minhas R, Ali S, Lambert N, Kawakami Y, Elgar G, Azam SS, Abbasi AA. Identification and functional characterization of novel transcriptional enhancers involved in regulating human GLI3 expression during early development. Dev Growth Differ 2015; 57:570-80. [PMID: 26464005 PMCID: PMC4609622 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The zinc-finger transcription factor GLI3 acts as a primary transducer of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling in a context-dependent combinatorial fashion. GLI3 participates in the patterning and growth of many organs, including the central nervous system (CNS) and limbs. Previously, we reported a subset of human intronic cis-regulators controlling many known aspects of endogenous Gli3 expression in mouse and zebrafish. Here we demonstrate in a transgenic zebrafish assay the potential of two novel tetrapod-teleost conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) docking within GLI3 intronic intervals (intron 3 and 4) to induce reporter gene expression at known sites of endogenous Gli3 transcription in embryonic domains such as the central nervous system (CNS) and limbs. Interestingly, the cell culture based assays reveal harmony with the context dependent dual nature of intra-GLI3 conserved elements. Furthermore, a transgenic zebrafish assay of previously reported limb-specific GLI3 transcriptional enhancers (previously tested in mice and chicken limb buds) induced reporter gene expression in zebrafish blood precursor cells and notochord instead of fin. These results demonstrate that the appendage-specific activity of a subset of GLI3-associated enhancers might be a tetrapod innovation. Taken together with our recent data, these results suggest that during the course of vertebrate evolution Gli3 expression control acquired a complex cis-regulatory landscape for spatiotemporal patterning of CNS and limbs. Comparative data from fish and mice suggest that the functional aspects of a subset of these cis-regulators have diverged significantly between these two lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saneela Anwar
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Computational Biology Lab, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Minhas
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Ali
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Nicholas Lambert
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | - Greg Elgar
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Syed Sikandar Azam
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Computational Biology Lab, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Amir Ali Abbasi
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Program of Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
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Epigenetic modification maintains intrinsic limb-cell identity in Xenopus limb bud regeneration. Dev Biol 2015; 406:271-82. [PMID: 26282893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Many amphibians can regenerate limbs, even in adulthood. If a limb is amputated, the stump generates a blastema that makes a complete, new limb in a process similar to developmental morphogenesis. The blastema is thought to inherit its limb-patterning properties from cells in the stump, and it retains the information despite changes in morphology, gene expression, and differentiation states required by limb regeneration. We hypothesized that these cellular properties are maintained as epigenetic memory through histone modifications. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed genome-wide histone modifications in Xenopus limb bud regeneration. The trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is closely related to an open chromatin structure that allows transcription factors access to genes, whereas the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is related to a closed chromatin state that blocks the access of transcription factors. We compared these two modification profiles by high-throughput sequencing of samples prepared from the intact limb bud and the regenerative blastema by chromatin immunoprecipitation. For many developmental genes, histone modifications at the transcription start site were the same in the limb bud and the blastema, were stable during regeneration, and corresponded well to limb properties. These results support our hypothesis that histone modifications function as a heritable cellular memory to maintain limb cell properties, despite dynamic changes in gene expression during limb bud regeneration in Xenopus.
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Hayashi S, Kobayashi T, Yano T, Kamiyama N, Egawa S, Seki R, Takizawa K, Okabe M, Yokoyama H, Tamura K. Evidence for an amphibian sixth digit. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2015; 1:17. [PMID: 26605062 PMCID: PMC4657212 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-015-0019-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the great diversity in digit morphology reflecting the adaptation of tetrapods to their lifestyle, the number of digits in extant tetrapod species is conservatively stabilized at five or less, which is known as the pentadactyl constraint. RESULTS We found that an anuran amphibian species, Xenopus tropicalis (western clawed frog), has a clawed protrusion anteroventral to digit I on the foot. To identify the nature of the anterior-most clawed protrusion, we examined its morphology, tissue composition, development, and gene expression. We demonstrated that the protrusion in the X. tropicalis hindlimb is the sixth digit, as is evident from anatomical features, development, and molecular marker expression. CONCLUSION Identification of the sixth digit in the X. tropicalis hindlimb strongly suggests that the prehallux in other Xenopus species with similar morphology and at the same position as the sixth digit is also a vestigial digit. We propose here that the prehallux seen in various species of amphibians generally represents a rudimentary sixth digit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichi Hayashi
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Takuya Kobayashi
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Tohru Yano
- />Department of Anatomy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 105-8461 Japan
| | - Namiko Kamiyama
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Shiro Egawa
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Ryohei Seki
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
- />Mammalian Genetics Laboratory, Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540 Japan
| | - Kazuki Takizawa
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
| | - Masataka Okabe
- />Department of Anatomy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 105-8461 Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yokoyama
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
- />Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8561 Japan
| | - Koji Tamura
- />Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578 Japan
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35
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Roux J, Rosikiewicz M, Robinson-Rechavi M. What to compare and how: Comparative transcriptomics for Evo-Devo. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2015; 324:372-82. [PMID: 25864439 PMCID: PMC4949521 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary developmental biology has grown historically from the capacity to relate patterns of evolution in anatomy to patterns of evolution of expression of specific genes, whether between very distantly related species, or very closely related species or populations. Scaling up such studies by taking advantage of modern transcriptomics brings promising improvements, allowing us to estimate the overall impact and molecular mechanisms of convergence, constraint or innovation in anatomy and development. But it also presents major challenges, including the computational definitions of anatomical homology and of organ function, the criteria for the comparison of developmental stages, the annotation of transcriptomics data to proper anatomical and developmental terms, and the statistical methods to compare transcriptomic data between species to highlight significant conservation or changes. In this article, we review these challenges, and the ongoing efforts to address them, which are emerging from bioinformatics work on ontologies, evolutionary statistics, and data curation, with a focus on their implementation in the context of the development of our database Bgee (http://bgee.org). J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 372–382, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Roux
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marta Rosikiewicz
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Robinson-Rechavi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
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36
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Freitas R, Gómez-Skarmeta JL, Rodrigues PN. New frontiers in the evolution of fin development. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2014; 322:540-52. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Freitas
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular; Porto Portugal
| | | | - Pedro Nuno Rodrigues
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular; Porto Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
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37
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Conservation and divergence of regulatory strategies at Hox Loci and the origin of tetrapod digits. PLoS Biol 2014; 12:e1001773. [PMID: 24465181 PMCID: PMC3897358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, expression of the Hoxa and Hoxd genes in zebrafish fins and mouse limbs are regulated via a conserved chromatin structure. However, zebrafish lack certain regulatory elements required to produce digits, revealing that radials—the fin's bony elements—are likely not homologous to tetrapod digits. The evolution of tetrapod limbs from fish fins enabled the conquest of land by vertebrates and thus represents a key step in evolution. Despite the use of comparative gene expression analyses, critical aspects of this transformation remain controversial, in particular the origin of digits. Hoxa and Hoxd genes are essential for the specification of the different limb segments and their functional abrogation leads to large truncations of the appendages. Here we show that the selective transcription of mouse Hoxa genes in proximal and distal limbs is related to a bimodal higher order chromatin structure, similar to that reported for Hoxd genes, thus revealing a generic regulatory strategy implemented by both gene clusters during limb development. We found the same bimodal chromatin architecture in fish embryos, indicating that the regulatory mechanism used to pattern tetrapod limbs may predate the divergence between fish and tetrapods. However, when assessed in mice, both fish regulatory landscapes triggered transcription in proximal rather than distal limb territories, supporting an evolutionary scenario whereby digits arose as tetrapod novelties through genetic retrofitting of preexisting regulatory landscapes. We discuss the possibility to consider regulatory circuitries, rather than expression patterns, as essential parameters to define evolutionary synapomorphies. Our upper limbs differ from fish fins, notably by their subdivision into arm and hand regions, which are separated by a complex articulation, the wrist. The development of this anatomy is associated with two distinct waves of expression of the Hoxa and Hoxd genes during development. Would such a shared expression pattern be sufficient to infer homology between fish fins and mouse limbs? We investigated this question here, looking at whether the two phases of Hox gene transcription that are observed during tetrapod limb development also occur during zebrafish fin development. We find the answer is “not quite.” For although the mechanisms that regulate the expression of Hoxa and Hoxd are comparable between zebrafish fins and mouse limbs, when the genomic regions that regulate Hox gene expression in fish fins are introduced into transgenic mice, they trigger Hox gene expression in only the proximal limb segment (the segment nearest the body) and not in the presumptive digits. We conclude that although fish have the Hox regulatory toolkit to produce digits, this potential is not utilized as it is in tetrapods, and as a result we propose that fin radials—the bony elements of fins—are not homologous to tetrapod digits.
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Booker BM, Murphy KK, Ahituv N. Functional analysis of limb enhancers in the developing fin. Dev Genes Evol 2013; 223:395-9. [PMID: 24068387 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-013-0453-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite diverging ∼365 million years ago, tetrapod limbs and pectoral fins express similar genes that could be regulated by shared regulatory elements. In this study, we set out to analyze the ability of enhancers to maintain tissue specificity in these two divergent structures. We tested 22 human sequences that were previously reported as mouse limb enhancers for their enhancer activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Using a zebrafish enhancer assay, we found that 10/22 (45 %) were positive for pectoral fin activity. Analysis of the various criteria that correlated with positive fin activity found that both spatial limb activity and evolutionary conservation are not good predictors of fin enhancer activity. These results suggest that zebrafish enhancer assays may be limited in detecting human limb enhancers, and this limitation does not improve by the use of limb spatial expression or evolutionary conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty M Booker
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Moriyama Y, Takeda H. Evolution and development of the homocercal caudal fin in teleosts. Dev Growth Differ 2013; 55:687-98. [PMID: 24102138 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate caudal skeleton is one of the most innovative structures in vertebrate evolution and has been regarded as an excellent model for functional morphology, a discipline that relates a structure to its function. Teleosts have an internally-asymmetrical caudal fin, called the homocercal caudal fin, formed by the upward bending of the caudal-most portion of the body axis, the ural region. This homocercal type of the caudal fin ensures powerful and complex locomotion and is thought to be one of the most important evolutionary innovations for teleosts during adaptive radiation in an aquatic environment. In this review, we summarize the past and present research of fish caudal skeletons, especially focusing on the homocercal caudal fin seen in teleosts. A series of studies with a medaka spontaneous mutant have provided important insight into the evolution and development of the homocercal caudal skeleton. By comparing developmental processes in various vertebrates, we propose a scenario for acquisition and morphogenesis of the homocercal caudal skeleton during vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuta Moriyama
- Cardiovascular Regeneration, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Japan
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Tsai HY, Chang M, Liu SC, Abe G, Ota KG. Embryonic development of goldfish (Carassius auratus): a model for the study of evolutionary change in developmental mechanisms by artificial selection. Dev Dyn 2013; 242:1262-83. [PMID: 23913853 PMCID: PMC4232884 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly divergent morphology among the different goldfish strains (Carassius auratus) may make it a suitable model for investigating how artificial selection has altered developmental mechanisms. Here we describe the embryological development of the common goldfish (the single fin Wakin), which retains the ancestral morphology of this species. RESULTS We divided goldfish embryonic development into seven periods consisting of 34 stages, using previously reported developmental indices of zebrafish and goldfish. Although several differences were identified in terms of their yolk size, epiboly process, pigmentation patterns, and development rate, our results indicate that the embryonic features of these two teleost species are highly similar in their overall morphology from the zygote to hatching stage. CONCLUSIONS These results provide an opportunity for further study of the evolutionary relationship between domestication and development, through applying well-established zebrafish molecular biological resources to goldfish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yuan Tsai
- Laboratory of Aquatic Zoology, Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Yilan, Taiwan; The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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