1
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Nie S. Use of Frogs as a Model to Study the Etiology of HLHS. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:51. [PMID: 36826547 PMCID: PMC9965361 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A frog is a classical model organism used to uncover processes and regulations of early vertebrate development, including heart development. Recently, we showed that a frog also represents a useful model to study a rare human congenital heart disease, hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In this review, we first summarized the cellular events and molecular regulations of vertebrate heart development, and the benefit of using a frog model to study congenital heart diseases. Next, we described the challenges in elucidating the etiology of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and discussed how a frog model may contribute to our understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of the disease. We concluded that a frog model offers its unique advantage in uncovering the cellular mechanisms of hypoplastic left heart syndrome; however, combining multiple model organisms, including frogs, is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Nie
- School of Biological Sciences, Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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2
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Federspiel JD, Tandon P, Wilczewski CM, Wasson L, Herring LE, Venkatesh SS, Cristea IM, Conlon FL. Conservation and divergence of protein pathways in the vertebrate heart. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000437. [PMID: 31490923 PMCID: PMC6750614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the western world. Attaining a mechanistic understanding of human heart development and homeostasis and the molecular basis of associated disease states relies on the use of animal models. Here, we present the cardiac proteomes of 4 model vertebrates with dual circulatory systems: the pig (Sus scrofa), the mouse (Mus musculus), and 2 frogs (Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis). Determination of which proteins and protein pathways are conserved and which have diverged within these species will aid in our ability to choose the appropriate models for determining protein function and to model human disease. We uncover mammalian- and amphibian-specific, as well as species-specific, enriched proteins and protein pathways. Among these, we find and validate an enrichment in cell-cycle–associated proteins within Xenopus laevis. To further investigate functional units within cardiac proteomes, we develop a computational approach to profile the abundance of protein complexes across species. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of these data sets for predicting appropriate model systems for studying given cardiac conditions by testing the role of Kielin/chordin-like protein (Kcp), a protein found as enriched in frog hearts compared to mammals. We establish that germ-line mutations in Kcp in Xenopus lead to valve defects and, ultimately, cardiac failure and death. Thus, integrating these findings with data on proteins responsible for cardiac disease should lead to the development of refined, species-specific models for protein function and disease states. Comparison of cardiac proteomes across four vertebrate model systems reveals species-specific differentially enriched proteins and pathways, including the Xenopus-enriched Kielin/chordin-like protein (Kcp), which is shown to be important for proper heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panna Tandon
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Caralynn M. Wilczewski
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lauren Wasson
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Herring
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Ileana M. Cristea
- Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IMC); (FLC)
| | - Frank L. Conlon
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IMC); (FLC)
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3
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Riefolo F, Matera C, Garrido-Charles A, Gomila AMJ, Sortino R, Agnetta L, Claro E, Masgrau R, Holzgrabe U, Batlle M, Decker M, Guasch E, Gorostiza P. Optical Control of Cardiac Function with a Photoswitchable Muscarinic Agonist. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:7628-7636. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b03505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Riefolo
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlo Matera
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Garrido-Charles
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandre M. J. Gomila
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosalba Sortino
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luca Agnetta
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Enrique Claro
- Institut de Neurociències (INc), and Dept. Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Masgrau
- Institut de Neurociències (INc), and Dept. Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Unitat de Bioquímica de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Montserrat Batlle
- Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona (UB), IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona (UB), IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBER-CV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pau Gorostiza
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer de Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Burkhard S, van Eif V, Garric L, Christoffels VM, Bakkers J. On the Evolution of the Cardiac Pacemaker. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2017; 4:jcdd4020004. [PMID: 29367536 PMCID: PMC5715705 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd4020004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The rhythmic contraction of the heart is initiated and controlled by an intrinsic pacemaker system. Cardiac contractions commence at very early embryonic stages and coordination remains crucial for survival. The underlying molecular mechanisms of pacemaker cell development and function are still not fully understood. Heart form and function show high evolutionary conservation. Even in simple contractile cardiac tubes in primitive invertebrates, cardiac function is controlled by intrinsic, autonomous pacemaker cells. Understanding the evolutionary origin and development of cardiac pacemaker cells will help us outline the important pathways and factors involved. Key patterning factors, such as the homeodomain transcription factors Nkx2.5 and Shox2, and the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Islet-1, components of the T-box (Tbx), and bone morphogenic protein (Bmp) families are well conserved. Here we compare the dominant pacemaking systems in various organisms with respect to the underlying molecular regulation. Comparative analysis of the pathways involved in patterning the pacemaker domain in an evolutionary context might help us outline a common fundamental pacemaker cell gene programme. Special focus is given to pacemaker development in zebrafish, an extensively used model for vertebrate development. Finally, we conclude with a summary of highly conserved key factors in pacemaker cell development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja Burkhard
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vincent van Eif
- Department of Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Laurence Garric
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen Bakkers
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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5
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Raghunathan R, Singh M, Dickinson ME, Larin KV. Optical coherence tomography for embryonic imaging: a review. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:50902. [PMID: 27228503 PMCID: PMC4881290 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.5.050902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis is a highly complex and dynamic process, and its visualization is crucial for understanding basic physiological processes during development and for identifying and assessing possible defects, malformations, and diseases. While traditional imaging modalities, such as ultrasound biomicroscopy, micro-magnetic resonance imaging, and micro-computed tomography, have long been adapted for embryonic imaging, these techniques generally have limitations in their speed, spatial resolution, and contrast to capture processes such as cardiodynamics during embryogenesis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging modality with micrometer-scale spatial resolution and imaging depth up to a few millimeters in tissue. OCT has bridged the gap between ultrahigh resolution imaging techniques with limited imaging depth like confocal microscopy and modalities, such as ultrasound sonography, which have deeper penetration but poorer spatial resolution. Moreover, the noninvasive nature of OCT has enabled live imaging of embryos without any external contrast agents. We review how OCT has been utilized to study developing embryos and also discuss advances in techniques used in conjunction with OCT to understand embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raksha Raghunathan
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
| | - Manmohan Singh
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
| | - Mary E. Dickinson
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, One Baylor Plaza- BCM335, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, One Baylor Plaza- BCM335, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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6
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Huang W, Arai F, Kawahara T. Egg-in-cube: design and fabrication of a novel artificial eggshell with functionalized surface. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118624. [PMID: 25768929 PMCID: PMC4359160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An eggshell is a porous microstructure that regulates the passage of gases to allow respiration. The chick embryo and its circulatory system enclosed by the eggshell has become an important model for biomedical research such as the control of angiogenesis, cancer therapy, and drug delivery test, because the use of embryo is ethically acceptable and it is inexpensive and small. However, chick embryo and extra-embryonic blood vessels cannot be accessed freely and has poor observability because the eggshell is tough and cannot be seen through, which limits its application. In this study, a novel artificial eggshell with functionalized surface is proposed, which allows the total amount of oxygen to pass into the egg for the chick embryo culturing and has high observability and accessibility for embryo manipulation. First, a 40-mm enclosed cubic-shaped eggshell consisting of a membrane structure and a rigid frame structure is designed, and then the threshold of the membrane thickness suitable for the embryo survival is figured out according to the oxygen-permeability of the membrane structure. The designed artificial eggshell was actually fabricated by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polycarbonate (PC) in the current study. Using the fabricated eggshell, chick embryo and extra-embryonic blood vessels can be observed from multiple directions. To test the effectiveness of the design, the cubic eggshells were used to culture chick embryos and survivability was confirmed when PDMS membranes with adequate oxygen permeability were used. Since the surface of the eggshell is transparent, chick embryo tissue development could be observed during the culture period. Additionally, the chick embryo tissues could be accessed and manipulated from outside the cubic eggshell, by using mechanical tools without breakage of the eggshell. The proposed "Egg-in-Cube" with functionalized surface has great potential to serve as a promising platform for biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Huang
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Fumihito Arai
- Department of Micro-Nano Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kawahara
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan
- * E-mail:
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7
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Kaltenbrun E, Tandon P, Amin NM, Waldron L, Showell C, Conlon FL. Xenopus: An emerging model for studying congenital heart disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 91:495-510. [PMID: 21538812 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects affect nearly 1% of all newborns and are a significant cause of infant death. Clinical studies have identified a number of congenital heart syndromes associated with mutations in genes that are involved in the complex process of cardiogenesis. The African clawed frog, Xenopus, has been instrumental in studies of vertebrate heart development and provides a valuable tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human congenital heart diseases. In this review, we discuss the methodologies that make Xenopus an ideal model system to investigate heart development and disease. We also outline congenital heart conditions linked to cardiac genes that have been well studied in Xenopus and describe some emerging technologies that will further aid in the study of these complex syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kaltenbrun
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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8
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Bartlett HL, Escalera RB, Patel SS, Wedemeyer EW, Volk KA, Lohr JL, Reinking BE. Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac morphology and function in Xenopus. Comp Med 2010; 60:107-113. [PMID: 20412684 PMCID: PMC2855036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/20/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Advances using Xenopus as a model permit valuable inquiries into cardiac development from embryo to adult. Noninvasive methods are needed to study cardiac function longitudinally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of echocardiographic studies in Xenopus and establish normative data of adult cardiac structure and function. Doppler and 2D echocardiograms and electrocardiograms were acquired from adult Xenopus laevis and X. tropicalis. Frogs were exposed to either isoflurane or tricaine to discern the effect of sedating agents on cardiac function. Cardiac dimensions, morphology, flow velocities, and electrophysiologic intervals were measured and evaluated by using bivariate and regression analyses. Normal cardiac dimensions relative to body weight and species were established by echocardiography. Normal conduction intervals were determined by electrocardiography and did not vary by body weight or species. Anesthetic agent did not affect ejection fraction or flow velocity but did alter the QRS duration and QT interval. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic studies in Xenopus provide information about cardiac anatomy and physiology and can readily be used for longitudinal analyses of developmental inquiries. Body weight, species, and anesthetic agent are factors that should be considered in experimental design and analyses.
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Bartlett HL, Weeks DL. Lessons from the lily pad: Using Xenopus to understand heart disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 5:141-146. [PMID: 19802378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddmod.2009.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The developing embryos of the South African (Xenopus laevis) and Western (Xenopus tropicalis) clawed frogs provide an experimentally tractable and easily visualized model for vertebrate cardiovascular development. Most of the genes used to execute the cardiac developmental program are the same in frogs and humans. Experiments using Xenopus provide an underutilized but valuable complement to studies on the molecular, cellular, physiological and morphological consequences of genetic and environmental influences on cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Bartlett
- Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
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10
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Bartlett HL, Sutherland L, Kolker SJ, Welp C, Tajchman U, Desmarais V, Weeks DL. Transient early embryonic expression of Nkx2-5 mutations linked to congenital heart defects in human causes heart defects in Xenopus laevis. Dev Dyn 2007; 236:2475-84. [PMID: 17685485 PMCID: PMC2078326 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Nkx2-5 is a homeobox containing transcription factor that is conserved and expressed in organisms that form hearts. Fruit flies lacking the gene (tinman) fail to form a dorsal vessel, mice that are homozygous null for Nkx2-5 form small, deformed hearts, and several human cardiac defects have been linked to dominant mutations in the Nkx2-5 gene. The Xenopus homologs (XNkx2-5) of two truncated forms of Nkx2-5 that have been identified in humans with congenital heart defects were used in the studies reported here. mRNAs encoding these mutations were injected into single cell Xenopus embryos, and heart development was monitored. Our results indicate that the introduction of truncated XNkx2-5 variants leads to three principle developmental defects. The atrial septum and the valve of the atrioventricular canal were both abnormal. In addition, video microscopic timing of heart contraction indicated that embryos injected with either mutant form of XNkx2-5 have conduction defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lillian Sutherland
- Department of Biochemistry, Bowen Science Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Sandra J. Kolker
- Department of Biochemistry, Bowen Science Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Chelsea Welp
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Vera Desmarais
- Department of Biochemistry, Bowen Science Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Daniel L. Weeks
- Department of Biochemistry, Bowen Science Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- *Correspondence to: Daniel L. Weeks, Department of Biochemistry, Bowen Science Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1109. E-mail:
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Blitz IL, Andelfinger G, Horb ME. Germ layers to organs: Using Xenopus to study “later” development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2006; 17:133-45. [PMID: 16337415 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2005.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The amphibian embryo is a highly successful model system with great promise for organogenesis research. Since the late 1800s, amphibians have been employed to understand vertebrate development and since the 1950s, the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis has been the amphibian of choice. In the past two decades, Xenopus has led the way forward in, among other things, identifying transcription factors, gene regulatory networks and inter- and intracellular signaling pathways that control early development (from fertilization through gastrulation and neurulation). Perhaps the best measure of how successful Xenopus has been as a model for early mammalian development is the observation that much of the knowledge gleaned from Xenopus studies has subsequently directly translated to discoveries of similar mechanisms operating in mouse development. Despite this great success in early development, research on organogenesis in Xenopus has lagged behind the mouse. However, recent technical advances now make Xenopus amenable for studies on later development, including organogenesis. Here, we discuss why Xenopus is well suited for such research and, we believe, permits addressing questions that have been difficult to approach using other model systems. We also highlight how Xenopus researchers have already begun studying a number of major organs, pancreas, liver, kidney and heart, and suggest how Xenopus might contribute more to these areas in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology and the Developmental Biology Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA, and Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Ste Justine Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
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