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Liew F, Efstathiou C, Fontanella S, Richardson M, Saunders R, Swieboda D, Sidhu JK, Ascough S, Moore SC, Mohamed N, Nunag J, King C, Leavy OC, Elneima O, McAuley HJC, Shikotra A, Singapuri A, Sereno M, Harris VC, Houchen-Wolloff L, Greening NJ, Lone NI, Thorpe M, Thompson AAR, Rowland-Jones SL, Docherty AB, Chalmers JD, Ho LP, Horsley A, Raman B, Poinasamy K, Marks M, Kon OM, Howard LS, Wootton DG, Quint JK, de Silva TI, Ho A, Chiu C, Harrison EM, Greenhalf W, Baillie JK, Semple MG, Turtle L, Evans RA, Wain LV, Brightling C, Thwaites RS, Openshaw PJM. Large-scale phenotyping of patients with long COVID post-hospitalization reveals mechanistic subtypes of disease. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:607-621. [PMID: 38589621 PMCID: PMC11003868 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01778-0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
One in ten severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections result in prolonged symptoms termed long coronavirus disease (COVID), yet disease phenotypes and mechanisms are poorly understood1. Here we profiled 368 plasma proteins in 657 participants ≥3 months following hospitalization. Of these, 426 had at least one long COVID symptom and 233 had fully recovered. Elevated markers of myeloid inflammation and complement activation were associated with long COVID. IL-1R2, MATN2 and COLEC12 were associated with cardiorespiratory symptoms, fatigue and anxiety/depression; MATN2, CSF3 and C1QA were elevated in gastrointestinal symptoms and C1QA was elevated in cognitive impairment. Additional markers of alterations in nerve tissue repair (SPON-1 and NFASC) were elevated in those with cognitive impairment and SCG3, suggestive of brain-gut axis disturbance, was elevated in gastrointestinal symptoms. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) was persistently elevated in some individuals with long COVID, but virus was not detected in sputum. Analysis of inflammatory markers in nasal fluids showed no association with symptoms. Our study aimed to understand inflammatory processes that underlie long COVID and was not designed for biomarker discovery. Our findings suggest that specific inflammatory pathways related to tissue damage are implicated in subtypes of long COVID, which might be targeted in future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Liew
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sara Fontanella
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Richardson
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ruth Saunders
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Dawid Swieboda
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jasmin K Sidhu
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Ascough
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Shona C Moore
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Noura Mohamed
- The Imperial Clinical Respiratory Research Unit, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Jose Nunag
- Cardiovascular Research Team, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Clara King
- Cardiovascular Research Team, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Olivia C Leavy
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Omer Elneima
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Hamish J C McAuley
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Aarti Shikotra
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Amisha Singapuri
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Marco Sereno
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Victoria C Harris
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Linzy Houchen-Wolloff
- Centre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre-Respiratory, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Neil J Greening
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Nazir I Lone
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthew Thorpe
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A A Roger Thompson
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah L Rowland-Jones
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Annemarie B Docherty
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James D Chalmers
- University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Ling-Pei Ho
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander Horsley
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Betty Raman
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Michael Marks
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Onn Min Kon
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Luke S Howard
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel G Wootton
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jennifer K Quint
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thushan I de Silva
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Antonia Ho
- MRC Centre for Virus Research, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christopher Chiu
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ewen M Harrison
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - William Greenhalf
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - J Kenneth Baillie
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Pandemic Science Hub, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Malcolm G Semple
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The Pandemic Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lance Turtle
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- The Pandemic Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rachael A Evans
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Louise V Wain
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Christopher Brightling
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ryan S Thwaites
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Differential regulation of degradation and immune pathways underlies adaptation of the ectosymbiotic nematode Laxus oneistus to oxic-anoxic interfaces. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9725. [PMID: 35697683 PMCID: PMC9192688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13235-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes may experience oxygen deprivation under both physiological and pathological conditions. Because oxygen shortage leads to a reduction in cellular energy production, all eukaryotes studied so far conserve energy by suppressing their metabolism. However, the molecular physiology of animals that naturally and repeatedly experience anoxia is underexplored. One such animal is the marine nematode Laxus oneistus. It thrives, invariably coated by its sulfur-oxidizing symbiont Candidatus Thiosymbion oneisti, in anoxic sulfidic or hypoxic sand. Here, transcriptomics and proteomics showed that, whether in anoxia or not, L. oneistus mostly expressed genes involved in ubiquitination, energy generation, oxidative stress response, immune response, development, and translation. Importantly, ubiquitination genes were also highly expressed when the nematode was subjected to anoxic sulfidic conditions, together with genes involved in autophagy, detoxification and ribosome biogenesis. We hypothesize that these degradation pathways were induced to recycle damaged cellular components (mitochondria) and misfolded proteins into nutrients. Remarkably, when L. oneistus was subjected to anoxic sulfidic conditions, lectin and mucin genes were also upregulated, potentially to promote the attachment of its thiotrophic symbiont. Furthermore, the nematode appeared to survive oxygen deprivation by using an alternative electron carrier (rhodoquinone) and acceptor (fumarate), to rewire the electron transfer chain. On the other hand, under hypoxia, genes involved in costly processes (e.g., amino acid biosynthesis, development, feeding, mating) were upregulated, together with the worm's Toll-like innate immunity pathway and several immune effectors (e.g., bactericidal/permeability-increasing proteins, fungicides). In conclusion, we hypothesize that, in anoxic sulfidic sand, L. oneistus upregulates degradation processes, rewires the oxidative phosphorylation and reinforces its coat of bacterial sulfur-oxidizers. In upper sand layers, instead, it appears to produce broad-range antimicrobials and to exploit oxygen for biosynthesis and development.
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Extramedullary hematopoiesis: mesenchymal stromal cells from spleen provide an in vitro niche for myelopoiesis. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:429-439. [PMID: 35641778 PMCID: PMC9213314 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00693-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Murine spleen has been shown to harbour stromal cells that support hematopoiesis with production of myeloid antigen-presenting cells. Similar stromal lines have now been isolated from long-term cultures (LTC) of human spleen. When human progenitor populations from spleen, bone marrow and cord blood were employed as a source of progenitors for co-culture above splenic stromal lines, myelopoiesis was supported. Human splenocytes gave production of predominantly myeloid dendritic-like cells, with minor subsets resembling conventional dendritic cells (cDC) cells, and myeloid or monocyte-derived DC. Human bone marrow progenitors gave rise to myelopoiesis from hematopoietic progenitors, while human cord blood supported limited myelopoiesis from existing myeloid precursors. Transcriptome analysis compared two stromal lines differing in myelopoietic support capacity. Gene profiling revealed both stromal lines to reflect perivascular reticular cells with osteogenic characteristics. However, the 5C6 stroma which failed to support hematopoiesis uniquely expressed several inhibitors of the WNT pathway. Combined data now show that splenic stroma of both human and murine origin provides a mesenchymal stromal cell microenvironment which is WNT pathway-dependent, and which supports in vitro myelopoiesis with production of specific subsets of myeloid and dendritic-like cells.
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Nagasawa S, Ikeda K, Shintani D, Yang C, Takeda S, Hasegawa K, Horie K, Inoue S. Identification of a Novel Oncogenic Fusion Gene SPON1-TRIM29 in Clinical Ovarian Cancer That Promotes Cell and Tumor Growth and Enhances Chemoresistance in A2780 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:689. [PMID: 35054873 PMCID: PMC8776205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene structure alterations, such as chromosomal rearrangements that develop fusion genes, often contribute to tumorigenesis. It has been shown that the fusion genes identified in public RNA-sequencing datasets are mainly derived from intrachromosomal rearrangements. In this study, we explored fusion transcripts in clinical ovarian cancer specimens based on our RNA-sequencing data. We successfully identified an in-frame fusion transcript SPON1-TRIM29 in chromosome 11 from a recurrent tumor specimen of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), which was not detected in the corresponding primary carcinoma, and validated the expression of the identical fusion transcript in another tumor from a distinct HGSC patient. Ovarian cancer A2780 cells stably expressing SPON1-TRIM29 exhibited an increase in cell growth, whereas a decrease in apoptosis was observed, even in the presence of anticancer drugs. The siRNA-mediated silencing of SPON1-TRIM29 fusion transcript substantially impaired the enhanced growth of A2780 cells expressing the chimeric gene treated with anticancer drugs. Moreover, a subcutaneous xenograft model using athymic mice indicated that SPON1-TRIM29-expressing A2780 cells rapidly generated tumors in vivo compared to control cells, whose growth was significantly repressed by the fusion-specific siRNA administration. Overall, the SPON1-TRIM29 fusion gene could be involved in carcinogenesis and chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer, and offers potential use as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for the disease with the fusion transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saya Nagasawa
- Division of Systems Medicine & Gene Therapy, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1241, Japan; (S.N.); (K.I.); (C.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Kazuhiro Ikeda
- Division of Systems Medicine & Gene Therapy, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1241, Japan; (S.N.); (K.I.); (C.Y.)
| | - Daisuke Shintani
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1298, Japan; (D.S.); (K.H.)
| | - Chiujung Yang
- Division of Systems Medicine & Gene Therapy, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1241, Japan; (S.N.); (K.I.); (C.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Satoru Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Kosei Hasegawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1298, Japan; (D.S.); (K.H.)
| | - Kuniko Horie
- Division of Systems Medicine & Gene Therapy, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1241, Japan; (S.N.); (K.I.); (C.Y.)
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Division of Systems Medicine & Gene Therapy, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1241, Japan; (S.N.); (K.I.); (C.Y.)
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
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Wang X, Lin Y, Liang L, Geng H, Zhang M, Nie H, Su S. Transcriptional Profiles of Diploid Mutant Apis mellifera Embryos after Knockout of csd by CRISPR/Cas9. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12080704. [PMID: 34442270 PMCID: PMC8396534 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In honey bees, males are haploid while females are diploid, leading to a fundamental difference in genetic materials between the sexes. In order to better control the comparison of gene expression between males and females, diploid mutant males were generated by knocking out the sex-determining gene, complementary sex determiner (csd), in fertilized embryos. The diploid mutant drones had male external morphological features, as well as male gonads. RNA sequencing was performed on the diploid mutant embryos and one-day-old larvae. The transcriptome analysis showed that several female-biased genes, such as worker-enriched antennal (Wat), vitellogenin (Vg), and some venom-related genes, were down-regulated in the diploid mutant males. In contrast, some male-biased genes, like takeout and apolipophorin-III-like protein (A4), were up-regulated. Moreover, the co-expression gene networks suggested that csd might interact very closely with fruitless (fru), feminizer (fem) might have connections with hexamerin 70c (hex70c), and transformer-2 (tra2) might play roles with troponin T (TpnT). Foundational information about the differences in the gene expression caused by sex differentiation was provided in this study. It is believed that this study will pave the ground for further research on the different mechanisms between males and females in honey bees. Abstract In honey bees, complementary sex determiner (csd) is the primary signal of sex determination. Its allelic composition is heterozygous in females, and hemizygous or homozygous in males. To explore the transcriptome differences after sex differentiation between males and females, with genetic differences excluded, csd in fertilized embryos was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9. The diploid mutant males at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after egg laying (AEL) and the mock-treated females derived from the same fertilized queen were investigated through RNA-seq. Mutations were detected in the target sequence in diploid mutants. The diploid mutant drones had typical male morphological characteristics and gonads. Transcriptome analysis showed that several female-biased genes, such as worker-enriched antennal (Wat), vitellogenin (Vg), and some venom-related genes, were down-regulated in the diploid mutant males. In contrast, some male-biased genes, such as takeout and apolipophorin-III-like protein (A4), had higher expressions in the diploid mutant males. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) indicated that there might be interactions between csd and fruitless (fru), feminizer (fem) and hexamerin 70c (hex70c), transformer-2 (tra2) and troponin T (TpnT). The information provided by this study will benefit further research on the sex dimorphism and development of honey bees and other insects in Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Wang
- College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Yan Lin
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Liqiang Liang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Haiyang Geng
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Meng Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
- Apicultural Research Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330052, China
| | - Hongyi Nie
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.N.); (S.S.); Tel.: +86-157-0590-2721 (H.N.); +86-181-0503-9938 (S.S.)
| | - Songkun Su
- College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.L.); (L.L.); (H.G.); (M.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.N.); (S.S.); Tel.: +86-157-0590-2721 (H.N.); +86-181-0503-9938 (S.S.)
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Keeley DP, Hastie E, Jayadev R, Kelley LC, Chi Q, Payne SG, Jeger JL, Hoffman BD, Sherwood DR. Comprehensive Endogenous Tagging of Basement Membrane Components Reveals Dynamic Movement within the Matrix Scaffolding. Dev Cell 2020; 54:60-74.e7. [PMID: 32585132 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Basement membranes (BMs) are supramolecular matrices built on laminin and type IV collagen networks that provide structural and signaling support to tissues. BM complexity, however, has hindered an understanding of its formation, dynamics, and regulation. Using genome editing, we tagged 29 BM matrix components and receptors in C. elegans with mNeonGreen. Here, we report a common template that initiates BM formation, which rapidly diversifies during tissue differentiation. Through photobleaching studies, we show that BMs are not static-surprisingly, many matrix proteins move within the laminin and collagen scaffoldings. Finally, quantitative imaging, conditional knockdown, and optical highlighting indicate that papilin, a poorly studied glycoprotein, is the most abundant component in the gonadal BM, where it facilitates type IV collagen removal during BM expansion and tissue growth. Together, this work introduces methods for holistic investigation of BM regulation and reveals that BMs are highly dynamic and capable of rapid change to support tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Keeley
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Eric Hastie
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ranjay Jayadev
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Laura C Kelley
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Qiuyi Chi
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sara G Payne
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Box 3709, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jonathan L Jeger
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Brenton D Hoffman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Box 90281, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - David R Sherwood
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Li S, Cui DN, Ullah H, Chen J, Liu SF, Whitman DW, Zhang ZH, Tu XB. Transcriptomic Analysis Following Artificial Selection for Grasshopper Size. INSECTS 2020; 11:E176. [PMID: 32164277 PMCID: PMC7142927 DOI: 10.3390/insects11030176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the transcriptomes of Romalea microptera grasshoppers after 8 years of artificial selection for either long or short thoraces. Evolution proceeded rapidly during the experiment, with a 13.3% increase and a 32.2% decrease in mean pronotum lengths (sexes combined) in the up- and down-selected colonies, respectively, after only 11 generations. At least 16 additional traits also diverged between the two colonies during the selection experiment. Transcriptomic analysis identified 693 differentially expressed genes, with 386 upregulated and 307 downregulated (55.7% vs. 44.3%), including cellular process, metabolic process, binding, general function prediction only, and signal transduction mechanisms. Many of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are known to influence animal body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
| | - Dong-Nan Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
| | - Hidayat Ullah
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
- Department of Agriculture, The University of Swabi, Anbar 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
| | - Shao-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
- School of Chemistry, Biology and Materials Science, East China University of Technology, Nanchang-330013, China
| | - Douglas W. Whitman
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61761, USA
| | - Ze-Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
| | - Xiong-Bing Tu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (D.-N.C.); (H.U.); (J.C.); (S.-F.L.)
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Game of Tissues: How the Epidermis Thrones C. elegans Shape. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8010007. [PMID: 32182901 PMCID: PMC7151205 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The versatility of epithelial cell structure is universally exploited by organisms in multiple contexts. Epithelial cells can establish diverse polarized axes within their tridimensional structure which enables them to flexibly communicate with their neighbors in a 360° range. Hence, these cells are central to multicellularity, and participate in diverse biological processes such as organismal development, growth or immune response and their misfunction ultimately impacts disease. During the development of an organism, the first task epidermal cells must complete is the formation of a continuous sheet, which initiates its own morphogenic process. In this review, we will focus on the C. elegans embryonic epithelial morphogenesis. We will describe how its formation, maturation, and spatial arrangements set the final shape of the nematode C. elegans. Special importance will be given to the tissue-tissue interactions, regulatory tissue-tissue feedback mechanisms and the players orchestrating the process.
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The in-silico characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans matrisome and proposal of a novel collagen classification. Matrix Biol Plus 2019; 1:100001. [PMID: 33543001 PMCID: PMC7852208 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are the building blocks of life. While proteins and their localization within cells and sub-cellular compartments are well defined, the proteins predicted to be secreted to form the extracellular matrix - or matrisome - remain elusive in the model organism C. elegans. Here, we used a bioinformatic approach combining gene orthology and protein structure analysis and an extensive curation of the literature to define the C. elegans matrisome. Similar to the human genome, we found that 719 out of ~20,000 genes (~4%) of the C. elegans genome encodes matrisome proteins, including 181 collagens, 35 glycoproteins, 10 proteoglycans, and 493 matrisome-associated proteins. We report that 173 out of the 181 collagen genes are unique to nematodes and are predicted to encode cuticular collagens, which we are proposing to group into five clusters. To facilitate the use of our lists and classification by the scientific community, we developed an automated annotation tool to identify ECM components in large datasets. We also established a novel database of all C. elegans collagens (CeColDB). Last, we provide examples of how the newly defined C. elegans matrisome can be used for annotations and gene ontology analyses of transcriptomic, proteomic, and RNAi screening data. Because C. elegans is a widely used model organism for high throughput genetic and drug screens, and to study biological and pathological processes, the conserved matrisome genes may aid in identifying potential drug targets. In addition, the nematode-specific matrisome may be exploited for targeting parasitic infection of man and crops. Pipeline combining gene- and protein-sequence analysis to predict the C. elegans matrisome The in-silicoC. elegans matrisome comprises 719 genes. The 185 C. elegans collagen-domain-containing proteins are classified into 4 groups. The 173 cuticular collagens are further classified into 5 clusters based on their domain organization. The C. elegans Matrisome Annotator is an online tool to identify matrisome genes and proteins in large datasets.
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Gotenstein JR, Koo CC, Ho TW, Chisholm AD. Genetic Suppression of Basement Membrane Defects in Caenorhabditis elegans by Gain of Function in Extracellular Matrix and Cell-Matrix Attachment Genes. Genetics 2018; 208:1499-1512. [PMID: 29440357 PMCID: PMC5887144 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.300731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Basement membranes are extracellular matrices essential for embryonic development in animals. Peroxidasins are extracellular peroxidases implicated in the unique sulfilimine cross-links between type IV basement membrane collagens. Loss of function in the Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidasin PXN-2 results in fully penetrant embryonic or larval lethality. Using genetic suppressor screening, we find that the requirement for PXN-2 in development can be bypassed by gain of function in multiple genes encoding other basement membrane components, or proteins implicated in cell-matrix attachment. We identify multiple alleles of let-805, encoding the transmembrane protein myotactin, which suppress phenotypes of pxn-2 null mutants and of other basement membrane mutants such as F-spondin/spon-1 These let-805 suppressor alleles cause missense alterations in two pairs of FNIII repeats in the extracellular domain; they act dominantly and have no detectable phenotypes alone, suggesting they cause gain of function. We also identify suppressor missense mutations affecting basement membrane components type IV collagen (emb-9, let-2) and perlecan (unc-52), as well as a mutation affecting spectraplakin (vab-10), a component of the epidermal cytoskeleton. These suppressor alleles do not bypass the developmental requirement for core structural proteins of the basement membrane such as laminin or type IV collagen. In conclusion, putative gain-of-function alterations in matrix proteins or in cell-matrix receptors can overcome the requirement for certain basement membrane proteins in embryonic development, revealing previously unknown plasticity in the genetic requirements for the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Gotenstein
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Cassidy C Koo
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Tiffany W Ho
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Andrew D Chisholm
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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Cai P, Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, You H, McManus DP, Chen Q. A next-generation microarray further reveals stage-enriched gene expression pattern in the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:19. [PMID: 28069074 PMCID: PMC5223471 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is caused by infection with blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, and ranks, in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as the third most important neglected tropical disease. Schistosomes have several discrete life stages involving dramatic morphological changes during their development, which require subtle gene expression modulations to complete the complex life-cycle. RESULTS In the current study, we employed a second generation schistosome DNA chip printed with the most comprehensive probe array for studying the Schistosoma japonicum transcriptome, to explore stage-associated gene expression in different developmental phases of S. japonicum. A total of 328, 95, 268 and 532 mRNA transcripts were enriched in cercariae, hepatic schistosomula, adult worms and eggs, respectively. In general, genes associated with transcriptional regulation, cell signalling and motor activity were readily expressed in cercariae; the expression of genes involved in neuronal activities, apoptosis and renewal was modestly upregulated in hepatic schistosomula; transcripts involved in egg production, nutrition metabolism and glycosylation were enriched in adult worms; while genes involved in cell division, microtubule-associated mobility, and host-parasite interplay were relatively highly expressed in eggs. CONCLUSIONS The study further highlights the expressional features of stage-associated genes in schistosomes with high accuracy. The results provide a better perspective of the biological characteristics among different developmental stages, which may open new avenues for identification of novel vaccine candidates and the development of novel control interventions against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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Roberts-Galbraith RH, Brubacher JL, Newmark PA. A functional genomics screen in planarians reveals regulators of whole-brain regeneration. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27612384 PMCID: PMC5055394 DOI: 10.7554/elife.17002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Planarians regenerate all body parts after injury, including the central nervous system (CNS). We capitalized on this distinctive trait and completed a gene expression-guided functional screen to identify factors that regulate diverse aspects of neural regeneration in Schmidtea mediterranea. Our screen revealed molecules that influence neural cell fates, support the formation of a major connective hub, and promote reestablishment of chemosensory behavior. We also identified genes that encode signaling molecules with roles in head regeneration, including some that are produced in a previously uncharacterized parenchymal population of cells. Finally, we explored genes downregulated during planarian regeneration and characterized, for the first time, glial cells in the planarian CNS that respond to injury by repressing several transcripts. Collectively, our studies revealed diverse molecules and cell types that underlie an animal’s ability to regenerate its brain. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17002.001 Animals differ in the extent to which they can regenerate missing body parts after injury. Humans regenerate poorly after many injuries, especially when the brain becomes damaged after stroke, disease or trauma. On the other hand, planarians – small worms that live in fresh water – regenerate exceptionally well. A whole planarian can regenerate from small pieces of tissue. The ability of planarians to regenerate their nervous system relies on stem cells called neoblasts, which can migrate through the body and divide to replace lost cells. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for regenerating nervous tissue are largely unknown. Roberts-Galbraith et al. carried out a screen to identify genes that tell planarians whether to regenerate a new brain, what cells to make and how to arrange them. The study revealed over thirty genes that allow planarians to regenerate their brains after their heads have been amputated. These genes play several different roles in the animal. Some of the genes help neoblasts to make decisions about what kinds of cells they should become. One gene is needed to make an important connection in the planarian brain after injury. Another helps to restore the ability of the planarian to sense its food. The experiments also show that some key genes are switched on in a new cell type that might produce signals to support regeneration. Lastly, Roberts-Galbraith et al. found that the planarian nervous system contains cells called glia. Previous studies have shown that many of the cells in the human brain are glia and that these cells help nerve cells to survive and work properly. The discovery of glia in planarians means that it will be possible to use these worms to study how glia support brain regeneration and how glia themselves are replaced after injury. In the long term, this work might lead to discoveries that shed light on how tissue regeneration could be improved in humans. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17002.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Roberts-Galbraith
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, United States
| | - John L Brubacher
- Department of Biology, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Phillip A Newmark
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, United States
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Nonautonomous Roles of MAB-5/Hox and the Secreted Basement Membrane Molecule SPON-1/F-Spondin in Caenorhabditis elegans Neuronal Migration. Genetics 2016; 203:1747-62. [PMID: 27225683 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.188367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous system development and circuit formation requires neurons to migrate from their birthplaces to specific destinations.Migrating neurons detect extracellular cues that provide guidance information. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the Q right (QR) and Q left (QL) neuroblast descendants migrate long distances in opposite directions. The Hox gene lin-39 cell autonomously promotes anterior QR descendant migration, and mab-5/Hox cell autonomously promotes posterior QL descendant migration. Here we describe a nonautonomous role of mab-5 in regulating both QR and QL descendant migrations, a role masked by redundancy with lin-39 A third Hox gene, egl-5/Abdominal-B, also likely nonautonomously regulates Q descendant migrations. In the lin-39 mab-5 egl-5 triple mutant, little if any QR and QL descendant migration occurs. In addition to well-described roles of lin-39 and mab-5 in the Q descendants, our results suggest that lin-39, mab-5, and egl-5 might also pattern the posterior region of the animal for Q descendant migration. Previous studies showed that the spon-1 gene might be a target of MAB-5 in Q descendant migration. spon-1 encodes a secreted basement membrane molecule similar to vertebrate F-spondin. Here we show that spon-1 acts nonautonomously to control Q descendant migration, and might function as a permissive rather than instructive signal for cell migration. We find that increased levels of MAB-5 in body wall muscle (BWM) can drive the spon-1 promoter adjacent to the Q cells, and loss of spon-1 suppresses mab-5 gain of function. Thus, MAB-5 might nonautonomously control Q descendant migrations by patterning the posterior region of the animal to which Q cells respond. spon-1 expression from BWMs might be part of the posterior patterning necessary for directed Q descendant migration.
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Cai P, Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, Gobert GN, McManus DP, Chen Q. Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis of Sex-Biased Expressed Genes Reveals Discrete Biological and Physiological Features of Male and Female Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004684. [PMID: 27128440 PMCID: PMC4851400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating disease caused by blood flukes (digenetic trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomes are sexually dimorphic and exhibit dramatic morphological changes during a complex lifecycle which requires subtle gene regulatory mechanisms to fulfil these complex biological processes. In the current study, a 41,982 features custom DNA microarray, which represents the most comprehensive probe coverage for any schistosome transcriptome study, was designed based on public domain and local databases to explore differential gene expression in S. japonicum. We found that approximately 1/10 of the total annotated genes in the S. japonicum genome are differentially expressed between adult males and females. In general, genes associated with the cytoskeleton, and motor and neuronal activities were readily expressed in male adult worms, whereas genes involved in amino acid metabolism, nucleotide biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, glycosylation, cell cycle processes, DNA synthesis and genome fidelity and stability were enriched in females. Further, miRNAs target sites within these gene sets were predicted, which provides a scenario whereby the miRNAs potentially regulate these sex-biased expressed genes. The study significantly expands the expressional and regulatory characteristics of gender-biased expressed genes in schistosomes with high accuracy. The data provide a better appreciation of the biological and physiological features of male and female schistosome parasites, which may lead to novel vaccine targets and the development of new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Geoffrey N. Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, P.R. China
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Mariani L, Lussi YC, Vandamme J, Riveiro A, Salcini AE. The H3K4me3/2 histone demethylase RBR-2 controls axon guidance by repressing the actin-remodeling gene wsp-1. Development 2016; 143:851-63. [PMID: 26811384 DOI: 10.1242/dev.132985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic regulation of histone modifications is important for modulating transcriptional programs during development. Aberrant H3K4 methylation is associated with neurological disorders, but how the levels and the recognition of this modification affect specific neuronal processes is unclear. Here, we show that RBR-2, the sole homolog of the KDM5 family of H3K4me3/2 demethylases in Caenorhabditis elegans, ensures correct axon guidance by controlling the expression of the actin regulator wsp-1. Loss of rbr-2 results in increased levels of H3K4me3 at the transcriptional start site of wsp-1, with concomitant higher wsp-1 expression responsible for defective axon guidance. In agreement, overexpression of WSP-1 mimics rbr-2 loss, and its depletion restores normal axon guidance in rbr-2 mutants. NURF-1, an H3K4me3-binding protein and member of the chromatin-remodeling complex NURF, is required for promoting aberrant wsp-1 transcription in rbr-2 mutants and its ablation restores wild-type expression of wsp-1 and axon guidance. Thus, our results establish a precise role for epigenetic regulation in neuronal development by demonstrating a functional link between RBR-2 activity, H3K4me3 levels, the NURF complex and the expression of WSP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mariani
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yvonne C Lussi
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julien Vandamme
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alba Riveiro
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Elisabetta Salcini
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Basement Membranes in the Worm: A Dynamic Scaffolding that Instructs Cellular Behaviors and Shapes Tissues. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2015; 76:337-71. [PMID: 26610919 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has all the major basement membrane proteins found in vertebrates, usually with a smaller gene family encoding each component. With its powerful forward genetics, optical clarity, simple tissue organization, and the capability to functionally tag most basement membrane components with fluorescent proteins, C. elegans has facilitated novel insights into the assembly and function of basement membranes. Although basement membranes are generally thought of as static structures, studies in C. elegans have revealed their active properties and essential functions in tissue formation and maintenance. Here, we review discoveries from C. elegans development that highlight dynamic aspects of basement membrane assembly, function, and regulation during organ growth, tissue polarity, cell migration, cell invasion, and tissue attachment. These studies have helped transform our view of basement membranes from static support structures to dynamic scaffoldings that play broad roles in regulating tissue organization and cellular behavior that are essential for development and have important implications in human diseases.
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Abstract
The wiring of the nervous system requires that axons navigate to the correct targets and maintain their correct positions during developmental growth. In this issue, Shao et al. (2013) now reveal a crucial new role for glia in preserving correct synaptic connectivity during developmental growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Clarke
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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18
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Synapse location during growth depends on glia location. Cell 2013; 154:337-50. [PMID: 23870123 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic contacts are largely established during embryogenesis and are then maintained during growth. To identify molecules involved in this process, we conducted a forward genetic screen in C. elegans and identified cima-1. In cima-1 mutants, synaptic contacts are correctly established during embryogenesis, but ectopic synapses emerge during postdevelopmental growth. cima-1 encodes a solute carrier in the SLC17 family of transporters that includes sialin, a protein that when mutated in humans results in neurological disorders. cima-1 does not function in neurons but rather functions in the nearby epidermal cells to correctly position glia during postlarval growth. Our findings indicate that CIMA-1 antagonizes the FGF receptor (FGFR), and does so most likely by inhibiting FGFR's role in epidermal-glia adhesion rather than signaling. Our data suggest that epidermal-glia crosstalk, in this case mediated by a transporter and the FGF receptor, is vital to preserve embryonically derived circuit architecture during postdevelopmental growth.
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Tamayo JV, Gujar M, Macdonald SJ, Lundquist EA. Functional transcriptomic analysis of the role of MAB-5/Hox in Q neuroblast migration in Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:304. [PMID: 23642123 PMCID: PMC3651406 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Directed cell migration is a fundamental process in normal development and in tumor metastasis. In C. elegans the MAB-5/Hox transcription factor is a determinant of posterior migration of the Q neuroblast descendants. In this work, mab-5 transcriptional targets that control Q descendant migration are identified by comparing RNA-seq profiles in wild type and mab-5 mutant backgrounds. Results Transcriptome profiling is a widely-used and potent tool to identify genes involved in developmental and pathological processes, and is most informative when RNA can be isolated from individual cell or tissue types. Cell-specific RNA samples can be difficult to obtain from invertebrate model organisms such as Drosophila and C. elegans. Here we test the utility of combining a whole organism RNA-seq approach with mab-5 loss and gain-of-function mutants and functional validation using RNAi to identify genes regulated by MAB-5 to control Q descendant migration. We identified 22 genes whose expression was controlled by mab-5 and that controlled Q descendant migration. Genes regulated by mab-5 were enriched for secreted and transmembrane molecules involved in basement membrane interaction and modification, and some affected Q descendant migration. Conclusions Our results indicate that a whole-organism RNA-seq approach, when combined with mutant analysis and functional validation, can be a powerful method to identify genes involved in a specific developmental process, in this case Q descendant posterior migration. These genes could act either autonomously in the Q cells, or non-autonomously in other cells that express MAB-5. The identities of the genes regulated by MAB-5 indicate that MAB-5 acts by modifying interactions with the basement membrane, resulting in posterior versus anterior migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel V Tamayo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Programs in Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, The University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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Abstract
Axon regeneration is a medically relevant process that can repair damaged neurons. This review describes current progress in understanding axon regeneration in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Factors that regulate axon regeneration in C. elegans have broadly similar roles in vertebrate neurons. This means that using C. elegans as a tool to leverage discovery is a legitimate strategy for identifying conserved mechanisms of axon regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid El Bejjani
- Department of Genetics, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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Bénard CY, Blanchette C, Recio J, Hobert O. The secreted immunoglobulin domain proteins ZIG-5 and ZIG-8 cooperate with L1CAM/SAX-7 to maintain nervous system integrity. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002819. [PMID: 22829780 PMCID: PMC3400552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During nervous system development, neuronal cell bodies and their axodendritic projections are precisely positioned through transiently expressed patterning cues. We show here that two neuronally expressed, secreted immunoglobulin (Ig) domain-containing proteins, ZIG-5 and ZIG-8, have no detectable role during embryonic nervous system development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans but are jointly required for neuronal soma and ventral cord axons to maintain their correct position throughout postembryonic life of the animal. The maintenance defects observed upon removal of zig-5 and zig-8 are similar to those observed upon complete loss of the SAX-7 protein, the C. elegans ortholog of the L1CAM family of adhesion proteins, which have been implicated in several neurological diseases. SAX-7 exists in two isoforms: a canonical, long isoform (SAX-7L) and a more adhesive shorter isoform lacking the first two Ig domains (SAX-7S). Unexpectedly, the normally essential function of ZIG-5 and ZIG-8 in maintaining neuronal soma and axon position is completely suppressed by genetic removal of the long SAX-7L isoform. Overexpression of the short isoform SAX-7S also abrogates the need for ZIG-5 and ZIG-8. Conversely, overexpression of the long isoform disrupts adhesion, irrespective of the presence of the ZIG proteins. These findings suggest an unexpected interdependency of distinct Ig domain proteins, with one isoform of SAX-7, SAX-7L, inhibiting the function of the most adhesive isoform, SAX-7S, and this inhibition being relieved by ZIG-5 and ZIG-8. Apart from extending our understanding of dedicated neuronal maintenance mechanisms, these findings provide novel insights into adhesive and anti-adhesive functions of IgCAM proteins. The structure of nervous systems is determined during embryonic development. After this developmental patterning phase, active maintenance mechanisms are required to uphold the structural integrity of the nervous system. This concept was revealed through the genetic elimination of factors in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which left the initial establishment of the nervous system during embryogenesis unperturbed, but subsequently resulted in postembryonic defects in its structural integrity. The extent to which such maintenance mechanisms exist, the nature of the players involved, and the mechanisms through which they operate are subjects of active investigation. In this study, we reveal two novel, previously uncharacterized maintenance factors encoded by the zig-5 and zig-8 genes. Both genes are predicted to encode small secreted immunoglobulin domains. We show that the two proteins operate by counteracting the anti-adhesive effects of a specific isoform of the SAX-7 Ig domain protein, the C. elegans homolog of L1CAM, a human protein involved in various neurological diseases. This study therefore provides novel mechanistic insights into nervous system patterning and may help to better understand the function of an important human disease gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Y Bénard
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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Akle V, Guelin E, Yu L, Brassard-Giordano H, Slack BE, Zhdanova IV. F-spondin/spon1b expression patterns in developing and adult zebrafish. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37593. [PMID: 22768035 PMCID: PMC3387172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
F-spondin, an extracellular matrix protein, is an important player in embryonic morphogenesis and CNS development, but its presence and role later in life remains largely unknown. We generated a transgenic zebrafish in which GFP is expressed under the control of the F-spondin (spon1b) promoter, and used it in combination with complementary techniques to undertake a detailed characterization of the expression patterns of F-spondin in developing and adult brain and periphery. We found that F-spondin is often associated with structures forming long neuronal tracts, including retinal ganglion cells, the olfactory bulb, the habenula, and the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (nMLF). F-spondin expression coincides with zones of adult neurogenesis and is abundant in CSF-contacting secretory neurons, especially those in the hypothalamus. Use of this new transgenic model also revealed F-spondin expression patterns in the peripheral CNS, notably in enteric neurons, and in peripheral tissues involved in active patterning or proliferation in adults, including the endoskeleton of zebrafish fins and the continuously regenerating pharyngeal teeth. Moreover, patterning of the regenerating caudal fin following fin amputation in adult zebrafish was associated with F-spondin expression in the blastema, a proliferative region critical for tissue reconstitution. Together, these findings suggest major roles for F-spondin in the CNS and periphery of the developing and adult vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Akle
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Guelin
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lili Yu
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Helena Brassard-Giordano
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Barbara E. Slack
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Irina V. Zhdanova
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Chisholm AD, Xu S. The Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis as a model skin. II: differentiation and physiological roles. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2012; 1:879-902. [PMID: 23539358 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis forms one of the principal barrier epithelia of the animal. Differentiation of the epidermis begins in mid embryogenesis and involves apical-basal polarization of the cytoskeletal and secretory systems as well as cellular junction formation. Secretion of the external cuticle layers is one of the major developmental and physiological specializations of the epidermal epithelium. The four post-embryonic larval stages are separated by periodic moults, in which the epidermis generates a new cuticle with stage-specific characteristics. The differentiated epidermis also plays key roles in endocrine signaling, fat storage, and ionic homeostasis. The epidermis is intimately associated with the development and function of the nervous system, and may have glial-like roles in modulating neuronal function. The epidermis provides passive and active defenses against skin-penetrating pathogens and can repair small wounds. Finally, age-dependent deterioration of the epidermis is a prominent feature of aging and may affect organismal aging and lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Chisholm
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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24
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Labouesse M. Role of the extracellular matrix in epithelial morphogenesis: a view from C. elegans. Organogenesis 2012; 8:65-70. [PMID: 22692230 DOI: 10.4161/org.20261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an essential role in organizing tissues, defining their shapes or in presenting growth factors. Their components have been well described in most species, but our understanding of the mechanisms that control ECM remodeling remains limited. Likewise, how the ECM contributes to cellular mechanical responses has been examined in few cases. Here, I review how studies performed in C. elegans have brought several significant advances on those topics. Focusing only on epithelial cells, I discuss basement membrane invasion by the anchor cell during vulva morphogenesis, a process that has greatly expanded our knowledge of ECM remodeling in vivo. I then discuss the ECM role in a novel mechanotransduction process, whereby muscle contractions stimulate the remodeling of hemidesmosome-like junctions in the epidermis, which highlights that these junctions are mechanosensitive. Finally, I discuss progress in defining the composition and potential roles of the apical ECM covering epidermal cells in embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Labouesse
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS (UMR 7104), INSERM (U964), Illkirch, France.
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25
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Neural maintenance roles for the matrix receptor dystroglycan and the nuclear anchorage complex in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2012; 190:1365-77. [PMID: 22298703 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.111.136184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies in Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed specific neural maintenance mechanisms that protect soma and neurites against mispositioning due to displacement stresses, such as muscle contraction. We report that C. elegans dystroglycan (DG) DGN-1 functions to maintain the position of lumbar neurons during late embryonic and larval development. In the absence of DGN-1 the cell bodies of multiple lumbar neuron classes are frequently displaced anterior of their normal positions. Early but not later embryonic panneural expression of DGN-1 rescues positional maintenance, suggesting that dystroglycan is required for establishment of a critical maintenance pathway that persists throughout later developmental stages. Lumbar neural maintenance requires only a membrane-tethered N-terminal domain of DGN-1 and may involve a novel extracellular partner for dystroglycan. A genetic screen for similar lumbar maintenance mutants revealed a role for the nesprin/SYNE family protein ANC-1 as well as for the extracellular protein DIG-1, previously implicated in lumbar neuron maintenance. The involvement of ANC-1 reveals a previously unknown role for nucleus-cytoskeleton interactions in neural maintenance. Genetic analysis indicates that lumbar neuron position is maintained in late embryos by parallel DGN-1/DIG-1 and ANC-1-dependent pathways, and in larvae by separate DGN-1 and ANC-1 pathways. The effect of muscle paralysis on late embryonic- or larval-stage maintenance defects in mutants indicates that lumbar neurons are subject to both muscle contraction-dependent and contraction-independent displacement stresses, and that different maintenance pathways may protect against specific types of displacement stress.
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26
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Chen L, Wang Z, Ghosh-Roy A, Hubert T, Yan D, O'Rourke S, Bowerman B, Wu Z, Jin Y, Chisholm AD. Axon regeneration pathways identified by systematic genetic screening in C. elegans. Neuron 2011; 71:1043-57. [PMID: 21943602 PMCID: PMC3183436 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the ability of axons to regrow after injury remain poorly explored at the molecular genetic level. We used a laser injury model in Caenorhabditis elegans mechanosensory neurons to screen 654 conserved genes for regulators of axonal regrowth. We uncover several functional clusters of genes that promote or repress regrowth, including genes classically known to affect axon guidance, membrane excitability, neurotransmission, and synaptic vesicle endocytosis. The conserved Arf Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factor (GEF), EFA-6, acts as an intrinsic inhibitor of regrowth. By combining genetics and in vivo imaging, we show that EFA-6 inhibits regrowth via microtubule dynamics, independent of its Arf GEF activity. Among newly identified regrowth inhibitors, only loss of function in EFA-6 partially bypasses the requirement for DLK-1 kinase. Identification of these pathways significantly expands our understanding of the genetic basis of axonal injury responses and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhen Chen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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27
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Gotenstein JR, Swale RE, Fukuda T, Wu Z, Giurumescu CA, Goncharov A, Jin Y, Chisholm AD. The C. elegans peroxidasin PXN-2 is essential for embryonic morphogenesis and inhibits adult axon regeneration. Development 2010; 137:3603-13. [PMID: 20876652 PMCID: PMC2964093 DOI: 10.1242/dev.049189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Peroxidasins form a highly conserved family of extracellular peroxidases of unknown cellular function. We identified the C. elegans peroxidasin PXN-2 in screens for mutants defective in embryonic morphogenesis. We find that PXN-2 is essential for specific stages of embryonic morphogenesis and muscle-epidermal attachment, and is also required postembryonically for basement membrane integrity. The peroxidase catalytic activity of PXN-2 is necessary for these developmental roles. pxn-2 mutants display aberrant ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix, suggesting a role in basement membrane consolidation. PXN-2 affects specific axon guidance choice points in the developing nervous system but is dispensable for maintenance of process positions. In adults, loss of pxn-2 function promotes regrowth of axons after injury, providing the first evidence that C. elegans extracellular matrix can play an inhibitory role in axon regeneration. Loss of function in the closely related C. elegans peroxidasin pxn-1 does not cause overt developmental defects. Unexpectedly, pxn-2 mutant phenotypes are suppressed by loss of function in pxn-1 and exacerbated by overexpression of wild-type pxn-1, indicating that PXN-1 and PXN-2 have antagonistic functions. These results demonstrate that peroxidasins play crucial roles in development and reveal a new role for peroxidasins as extracellular inhibitors of axonal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Gotenstein
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ryann E. Swale
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Sinsheimer Laboratories, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Tetsuko Fukuda
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zilu Wu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Claudiu A. Giurumescu
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Yishi Jin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Andrew D. Chisholm
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Sinsheimer Laboratories, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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28
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Zhang H, Gally C, Labouesse M. Tissue morphogenesis: how multiple cells cooperate to generate a tissue. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2010; 22:575-82. [PMID: 20822890 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2010.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Revised: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analysis in model organisms has recently achieved a detailed molecular description of many key cellular processes controlling embryonic morphogenesis. To understand higher order tissue morphogenesis, we now need to define how these processes become integrated across different cell groups and cell layers. Here, we review progress in this fast moving area, which was to a large degree made possible by novel imaging methods and the increasingly frequent use of modeling. Discussing examples from Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila embryos, two powerful and simple models, we highlight novel principles relying in part on mechanical tension, and outline the role of junctions as signal integrators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Zhang
- IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP. 10142, 67404 Illkirch CEDEX, France
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29
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Adenle AA, Johnsen B, Szewczyk NJ. Review of the results from the International C. elegans first experiment (ICE-FIRST). ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2009; 44:210-216. [PMID: 20161164 PMCID: PMC2719817 DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2009.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
In an effort to speed the rate of discovery in space biology and medicine NASA introduced the now defunct model specimen program. Four nations applied this approach with C. elegans in the ICE-FIRST experiment. Here we review the standardized culturing as well as the investigation of muscle adaptation, space biology radiation, and gene expression in response to spaceflight. Muscle studies demonstrated that decreased expression of myogenic transcription factors underlie the decreased expression of myosin seen in flight, a response that would appear to be evolutionarily conserved. Radiation studies demonstrated that radiation damaged cells should be able to be removed via apoptosis in flight, and that C. elegans can be employed as a biological accumulating dosimeter. Lastly, ICE-FIRST gave us our first glimpse at the genomic response to spaceflight, suggesting that altered Insulin and/or TGF-beta signaling in-flight may underlie many of the biological changes seen in response to spaceflight. The fact that the results obtained with C. elegans appear to have strong similarities in human beings suggests that not only will C. elegans prove an invaluable model for understanding the fundamental biological changes seen during spaceflight but that it may also be invaluable for understanding those changes associated with human health concerns in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Adenle
- University of Nottingham, School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health, Derby, DE22 3DT, United Kingdom
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30
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Abstract
Neuronal circuitries established in development must persist throughout life. This poses a serious challenge to the structural integrity of an embryonically patterned nervous system as an animal dramatically increases its size postnatally, remodels parts of its anatomy, and incorporates new neurons. In addition, body movements, injury, and ageing generate physical stress on the nervous system. Specific molecular pathways maintain intrinsic properties of neurons in the mature nervous system. Other factors ensure that the overall organization of entire neuronal ensembles into ganglia and fascicles is appropriately maintained upon external challenges. Here, we discuss different molecules underlying these neuronal maintenance mechanisms, with a focus on lessons learned from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bénard
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
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31
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Abstract
The digestive tracts of many animals are epithelial tubes with specialized compartments to break down food, remove wastes, combat infection, and signal nutrient availability. C. elegans possesses a linear, epithelial gut tube with foregut, midgut, and hindgut sections. The simple anatomy belies the developmental complexity that is involved in forming the gut from a pool of heterogeneous precursor cells. Here, I focus on the processes that specify cell fates and control morphogenesis within the embryonic foregut (pharynx) and the developmental roles of the pharynx after birth. Maternally donated factors in the pregastrula embryo converge on pha-4, a FoxA transcription factor that specifies organ identity for pharyngeal precursors. Positive feedback loops between PHA-4 and other transcription factors ensure commitment to pharyngeal fate. Binding-site affinity of PHA-4 for its target promoters contributes to the progression of the pharyngeal precursors towards differentiation. During morphogenesis, the pharyngeal precursors form an epithelial tube in a process that is independent of cadherins, catenins, and integrins but requires the kinesin zen-4/MKLP1. After birth, the pharynx and/or pha-4 are involved in repelling pathogens and controlling aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Mango
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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