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Youlten SE, Miao L, Hoppe C, Boswell CW, Musaev D, Abdelmessih M, Krishnaswamy S, Tornini VA, Giraldez AJ. Novel cell states arise in embryonic cells devoid of key reprogramming factors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593729. [PMID: 38798464 PMCID: PMC11118305 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The capacity for embryonic cells to differentiate relies on a large-scale reprogramming of the oocyte and sperm nucleus into a transient totipotent state. In zebrafish, this reprogramming step is achieved by the pioneer factors Nanog, Pou5f3, and Sox19b (NPS). Yet, it remains unclear whether cells lacking this reprogramming step are directed towards wild type states or towards novel developmental canals in the Waddington landscape of embryonic development. Here we investigate the developmental fate of embryonic cells mutant for NPS by analyzing their single-cell gene expression profiles. We find that cells lacking the first developmental reprogramming steps can acquire distinct cell states. These states are manifested by gene expression modules that result from a failure of nuclear reprogramming, the persistence of the maternal program, and the activation of somatic compensatory programs. As a result, most mutant cells follow new developmental canals and acquire new mixed cell states in development. In contrast, a group of mutant cells acquire primordial germ cell-like states, suggesting that NPS-dependent reprogramming is dispensable for these cell states. Together, these results demonstrate that developmental reprogramming after fertilization is required to differentiate most canonical developmental programs, and loss of the transient totipotent state canalizes embryonic cells into new developmental states in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E. Youlten
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Liyun Miao
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Caroline Hoppe
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Curtis W. Boswell
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Damir Musaev
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mario Abdelmessih
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Current Address: AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Smita Krishnaswamy
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Valerie A. Tornini
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Antonio J. Giraldez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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2
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Bian WP, Xie SL, Wang C, Martinovich GG, Ma YB, Jia PP, Pei DS. mitfa deficiency promotes immune vigor and potentiates antitumor effects in zebrafish. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 142:109130. [PMID: 37777099 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The mitfa gene is a well-known transcription factor associated with microphthalmia and is essential for early melanophore development. However, little is known about how mitfa affects the immune system. Here, we generated a novel mitfa knock-out zebrafish line using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The mitfa-/- zebrafish exhibited reduced melanin levels compared to the nacre mutant. We investigated the impact on the immune system after exposure to Edwardsiella tarda and bifenazate in zebrafish larvae, and observed that the macrophage numbers were reduced in both treated groups. Remarkably, the expression levels of immune-related genes exhibited significant increases after bacterial challenge or bifenazate exposure in the mitfa-/- zebrafish, except for tlr4 and rela. Furthermore, we conducted xenograft experiments using mouse B16 melanoma cells. Notably, the cancer cells didn't show a high cell migration ratio, implying that the immune system was highly activated after the loss of mifta. Taken together, our findings suggest that mitfa-/- zebrafish serve as a valuable model for investigating the relationship between the immune system and melanocytes, providing new insights into the role of mitfa in immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ping Bian
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Shao-Lin Xie
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | | | - Yan-Bo Ma
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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3
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van den Bosch QCC, Nguyen JQN, Brands T, van den Bosch TPP, Verdijk RM, Paridaens D, Naus NC, de Klein A, Kiliç E, Brosens E. FOXD1 Is a Transcription Factor Important for Uveal Melanocyte Development and Associated with High-Risk Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153668. [PMID: 35954332 PMCID: PMC9367502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite successful treatment of primary uveal melanoma (UM), metastases still occur in approximately 50% of the patients. Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanism behind metastasized UM. By reanalyzing publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data of embryonic zebrafish larvae and validating the results with UM data, we have identified five transcription regulators of interest: ELL2, KDM5B, REXO4, RBFOX2 and FOXD1. The most significant finding is FOXD1, which is nearly exclusively expressed in high-risk UM and is associated with poor survival. FOXD1 is a novel gene which could be involved in the metastatic capability of UM. Elucidating its function and role in metastatic UM could help to understand and develop treatment for UM. Abstract Uveal melanoma (UM) is a deadly ocular malignancy, originating from uveal melanocytes. Although much is known regarding prognostication in UM, the exact mechanism of metastasis is mostly unknown. Metastatic tumor cells are known to express a more stem-like RNA profile which is seen often in cell-specific embryonic development to induce tumor progression. Here, we identified novel transcription regulators by reanalyzing publicly available single cell RNA sequencing experiments. We identified five transcription regulators of interest: ELL2, KDM5B, REXO4, RBFOX2 and FOXD1. Our most significant finding is FOXD1, as this gene is nearly exclusively expressed in high-risk UM and its expression is associated with a poor prognosis. Even within the BAP1-mutated UM, the expression of FOXD1 is correlated with poor survival. FOXD1 is a novel factor which could potentially be involved in the metastatic capacity of high-risk UM. Elucidating the function of FOXD1 in UM could provide insight into the malignant transformation of uveal melanocytes, especially in high-risk UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincy C. C. van den Bosch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (Q.C.C.v.d.B.); (J.Q.N.N.); (T.B.); (N.C.N.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Josephine Q. N. Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (Q.C.C.v.d.B.); (J.Q.N.N.); (T.B.); (N.C.N.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Tom Brands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (Q.C.C.v.d.B.); (J.Q.N.N.); (T.B.); (N.C.N.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Thierry P. P. van den Bosch
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (T.P.P.v.d.B.); (R.M.V.)
| | - Robert M. Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (T.P.P.v.d.B.); (R.M.V.)
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dion Paridaens
- The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, 3011 BH Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Nicole C. Naus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (Q.C.C.v.d.B.); (J.Q.N.N.); (T.B.); (N.C.N.)
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Emine Kiliç
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (Q.C.C.v.d.B.); (J.Q.N.N.); (T.B.); (N.C.N.)
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (E.B.); Tel.: +31-107030683 (E.B.)
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (E.B.); Tel.: +31-107030683 (E.B.)
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Bradshaw SN, Allison WT. Hagfish to Illuminate the Developmental and Evolutionary Origins of the Vertebrate Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:822358. [PMID: 35155434 PMCID: PMC8826474 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.822358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate eye is a vital sensory organ that has long fascinated scientists, but the details of how this organ evolved are still unclear. The vertebrate eye is distinct from the simple photoreceptive organs of other non-vertebrate chordates and there are no clear transitional forms of the eye in the fossil record. To investigate the evolution of the eye we can examine the eyes of the most ancient extant vertebrates, the hagfish and lamprey. These jawless vertebrates are in an ideal phylogenetic position to study the origin of the vertebrate eye but data on eye/retina development in these organisms is limited. New genomic and gene expression data from hagfish and lamprey suggest they have many of the same genes for eye development and retinal neurogenesis as jawed vertebrates, but functional work to determine if these genes operate in retinogenesis similarly to other vertebrates is missing. In addition, hagfish express a marker of proliferative retinal cells (Pax6) near the margin of the retina, and adult retinal growth is apparent in some species. This finding of eye growth late into hagfish ontogeny is unexpected given the degenerate eye phenotype. Further studies dissecting retinal neurogenesis in jawless vertebrates would allow for comparison of the mechanisms of retinal development between cyclostome and gnathostome eyes and provide insight into the evolutionary origins of the vertebrate eye.
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Jang HS, Chen Y, Ge J, Wilkening AN, Hou Y, Lee HJ, Choi YR, Lowdon RF, Xing X, Li D, Kaufman CK, Johnson SL, Wang T. Epigenetic dynamics shaping melanophore and iridophore cell fate in zebrafish. Genome Biol 2021; 22:282. [PMID: 34607603 PMCID: PMC8489059 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02493-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish pigment cell differentiation provides an attractive model for studying cell fate progression as a neural crest progenitor engenders diverse cell types, including two morphologically distinct pigment cells: black melanophores and reflective iridophores. Nontrivial classical genetic and transcriptomic approaches have revealed essential molecular mechanisms and gene regulatory circuits that drive neural crest-derived cell fate decisions. However, how the epigenetic landscape contributes to pigment cell differentiation, especially in the context of iridophore cell fate, is poorly understood. RESULTS We chart the global changes in the epigenetic landscape, including DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility, during neural crest differentiation into melanophores and iridophores to identify epigenetic determinants shaping cell type-specific gene expression. Motif enrichment in the epigenetically dynamic regions reveals putative transcription factors that might be responsible for driving pigment cell identity. Through this effort, in the relatively uncharacterized iridophores, we validate alx4a as a necessary and sufficient transcription factor for iridophore differentiation and present evidence on alx4a's potential regulatory role in guanine synthesis pathway. CONCLUSIONS Pigment cell fate is marked by substantial DNA demethylation events coupled with dynamic chromatin accessibility to potentiate gene regulation through cis-regulatory control. Here, we provide a multi-omic resource for neural crest differentiation into melanophores and iridophores. This work led to the discovery and validation of iridophore-specific alx4a transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Sik Jang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
- Present address: Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI USA
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Jiaxin Ge
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Alicia N. Wilkening
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Yiran Hou
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Hyung Joo Lee
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - You Rim Choi
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Rebecca F. Lowdon
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Daofeng Li
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Charles K. Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, and Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Stephen L. Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
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Moreno-Mármol T, Ledesma-Terrón M, Tabanera N, Martin-Bermejo MJ, Cardozo MJ, Cavodeassi F, Bovolenta P. Stretching of the retinal pigment epithelium contributes to zebrafish optic cup morphogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:63396. [PMID: 34545806 PMCID: PMC8530511 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate eye primordium consists of a pseudostratified neuroepithelium, the optic vesicle (OV), in which cells acquire neural retina or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) fates. As these fates arise, the OV assumes a cup shape, influenced by mechanical forces generated within the neural retina. Whether the RPE passively adapts to retinal changes or actively contributes to OV morphogenesis remains unexplored. We generated a zebrafish Tg(E1-bhlhe40:GFP) line to track RPE morphogenesis and interrogate its participation in OV folding. We show that, in virtual absence of proliferation, RPE cells stretch and flatten, thereby matching the retinal curvature and promoting OV folding. Localized interference with the RPE cytoskeleton disrupts tissue stretching and OV folding. Thus, extreme RPE flattening and accelerated differentiation are efficient solutions adopted by fast-developing species to enable timely optic cup formation. This mechanism differs in amniotes, in which proliferation drives RPE expansion with a much-reduced need of cell flattening. Rounded eyeballs help to optimize vision – but how do they acquire their distinctive shape? In animals with backbones, including humans, the eye begins to form early in development. A single layer of embryonic tissue called the optic vesicle reorganizes itself into a two-layered structure: a thin outer layer of cells, known as the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE for short), and a thicker inner layer called the neural retina. If this process fails, the animal may be born blind or visually impaired. How this flat two-layered structure becomes round is still being investigated. In fish, studies have shown that the inner cell layer – the neural retina – generates mechanical forces that cause the developing tissue to curve inwards to form a cup-like shape. But it was unclear whether the outer layer of cells (the RPE) also contributed to this process. Moreno-Marmol et al. were able to investigate this question by genetically modifying zebrafish to make all new RPE cells fluoresce. Following the early development of the zebrafish eye under a microscope revealed that RPE cells flattened themselves into long thin structures that stretched to cover the entire neural retina. This change was made possible by the cell’s internal skeleton reorganizing. In fact, preventing this reorganization stopped the RPE cells from flattening, and precluded the optic cup from acquiring its curved shape. The results thus confirmed a direct role for the RPE in generating curvature. The entire process did not require the RPE to produce new cells, allowing the curved shape to emerge in just a few hours. This is a major advantage for fast-developing species such as zebrafish. In species whose embryos develop more slowly, such as mice and humans, the RPE instead grows by producing additional cells – a process that takes many days. The development of the eye thus shows how various species use different evolutionary approaches to achieve a common goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Moreno-Mármol
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Ledesma-Terrón
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemi Tabanera
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Jesús Martin-Bermejo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos J Cardozo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Florencia Cavodeassi
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, c/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
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7
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Buono L, Corbacho J, Naranjo S, Almuedo-Castillo M, Moreno-Marmol T, de la Cerda B, Sanabria-Reinoso E, Polvillo R, Díaz-Corrales FJ, Bogdanovic O, Bovolenta P, Martínez-Morales JR. Analysis of gene network bifurcation during optic cup morphogenesis in zebrafish. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3866. [PMID: 34162866 PMCID: PMC8222258 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24169-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sight depends on the tight cooperation between photoreceptors and pigmented cells, which derive from common progenitors through the bifurcation of a single gene regulatory network into the neural retina (NR) and retinal-pigmented epithelium (RPE) programs. Although genetic studies have identified upstream nodes controlling these networks, their regulatory logic remains poorly investigated. Here, we characterize transcriptome dynamics and chromatin accessibility in segregating NR/RPE populations in zebrafish. We analyze cis-regulatory modules and enriched transcription factor motives to show extensive network redundancy and context-dependent activity. We identify downstream targets, highlighting an early recruitment of desmosomal genes in the flattening RPE and revealing Tead factors as upstream regulators. We investigate the RPE specification network dynamics to uncover an unexpected sequence of transcription factors recruitment, which is conserved in humans. This systematic interrogation of the NR/RPE bifurcation should improve both genetic counseling for eye disorders and hiPSCs-to-RPE differentiation protocols for cell-replacement therapies in degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Buono
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM), Seville, Spain
| | - Jorge Corbacho
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | - Silvia Naranjo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Berta de la Cerda
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER (CSIC/US/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Rocío Polvillo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Ozren Bogdanovic
- Genomics and Epigenetics Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM), Seville, Spain.
- CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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A defined subset of clonal retinal stem cell spheres is biased to RPE differentiation. iScience 2021; 24:102574. [PMID: 34151227 PMCID: PMC8188557 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102574] [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: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal stem cells (RSCs) are rare pigmented cells found in the pigmented ciliary layer of the mammalian retina. Studies show that RSCs can replicate to maintain the stem cell pool and produce retinal progenitors that differentiate into all retinal cell types. We classified RSCs based on their level and distribution of pigment into heavily pigmented (HP), lightly pigmented (LP), and centrally pigmented (CP) spheres. We report that CP spheres are capable of generating large cobblestone lawns of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The other clonal sphere types (HP and LP) primarily produce cells with neural morphology and fewer RPE cells. The RSCs are homogeneous, but their downstream progenitors are different. We found that CP spheres contain highly proliferative populations of early RPE progenitors that respond to proliferative signals from the surrounding non-pigmented cells. HP and LP spheres contain late RPE progenitors which are not affected by proliferative signals. Three types of clonal retinal stem cell spheres form from the same single stem cell Centrally pigmented spheres contain populations of early RPE progenitors Heavily and lightly pigmented spheres contain populations of late RPE progenitors Downstream RPE progenitors are different due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors
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9
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George SM, Lu F, Rao M, Leach LL, Gross JM. The retinal pigment epithelium: Development, injury responses, and regenerative potential in mammalian and non-mammalian systems. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 85:100969. [PMID: 33901682 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diseases that result in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Atrophic (dry) AMD is the most prevalent form of AMD and there are currently no effective therapies to prevent RPE cell death or restore RPE cells lost from AMD. An intriguing approach to treat AMD and other RPE degenerative diseases is to develop therapies focused on stimulating endogenous RPE regeneration. For this to become feasible, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying RPE development, injury responses and regenerative potential is needed. In mammals, RPE regeneration is extremely limited; small lesions can be repaired by the expansion of adjacent RPE cells, but large lesions cannot be repaired as remaining RPE cells are unable to functionally replace lost RPE tissue. In some injury paradigms, RPE cells proliferate but do not regenerate a morphologically normal monolayer, while in others, proliferation is pathogenic and results in further disruption to the retina. This is in contrast to non-mammalian vertebrates, which possess tremendous RPE regenerative potential. Here, we discuss what is known about RPE formation during development in mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates, we detail the processes by which RPE cells respond to injury, and we describe examples of RPE-to-retina and RPE-to-RPE regeneration in non-mammalian vertebrates. Finally, we outline barriers to RPE-dependent regeneration in mammals that could potentially be overcome to stimulate a regenerative response from the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M George
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Fangfang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Mishal Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Lyndsay L Leach
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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10
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Zhou S, Sakamoto K. Citric acid promoted melanin synthesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells, but inhibited it in human epidermal melanocytes and HMV-II melanoma cells via the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243565. [PMID: 33332393 PMCID: PMC7746170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin, a pigment synthesized by melanocytes in the skin, resists the damage caused by ultraviolet rays to cells. Citric acid, a well-known food additive, is commonly used as an antioxidant and is an important part of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy production during cellular metabolism. Here, we aimed to investigate whether the addition of excess citric acid regulates melanin synthesis, and to delineate the underlying mechanism. First, we observed that citric acid exerts opposite redox effects on mouse and human cells. Interestingly, treatment with excess citric acid increased the melanin content in mouse cells but decreased it in human cells. Furthermore, the expression of factors important for melanin synthesis, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), was also regulated by citric acid treatment-it was promoted in mouse cells and suppressed in human cells. Citric acid also impacted the upstream regulators of MITF, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and β-catenin. Second, we determined the importance of GSK3β in the citric acid-mediated regulation of melanin synthesis, using a GSK3β inhibitor (BIO). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that citric acid regulates melanin synthesis via the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, and that equal amounts of exogenous citric acid exert opposing effects on mouse and human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhou
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuichi Sakamoto
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
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11
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the early developmental origins of six ocular tissues: the cornea, lens, ciliary body, iris, neural retina, and retina pigment epithelium. Many of these tissue types are concurrently specified and undergo a complex set of morphogenetic movements that facilitate their structural interconnection. Within the context of vertebrate eye organogenesis, we also discuss the genetic hierarchies of transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate growth, patterning, cell type specification and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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12
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Moreno-Marmol T, Cavodeassi F, Bovolenta P. Setting Eyes on the Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:145. [PMID: 30406103 PMCID: PMC6207792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural component of the zebrafish eye derives from a small group of cells known as the eye/retinal field. These cells, positioned in the anterior neural plate, rearrange extensively and generate the optic vesicles (OVs). Each vesicle subsequently folds over itself to form the double-layered optic cup, from which the mature eye derives. During this transition, cells of the OV are progressively specified toward three different fates: the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the neural retina, and the optic stalk. Recent studies have shown that folding of the zebrafish OV into a cup is in part driven by basal constriction of the cells of the future neural retina. During folding, however, RPE cells undergo an even more dramatic shape conversion that seems to entail the acquisition of unique properties. How these changes occur and whether they contribute to optic cup formation is still poorly understood. Here we will review present knowledge on RPE morphogenesis and discuss potential mechanisms that may explain such transformation using examples taken from embryonic Drosophila tissues that undergo similar shape changes. We will also put forward a hypothesis for optic cup folding that considers an active contribution from the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Moreno-Marmol
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Florencia Cavodeassi
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Dasgupta S, Cheng V, Vliet SMF, Mitchell CA, Volz DC. Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) Phosphate Exposure During the Early-Blastula Stage Alters the Normal Trajectory of Zebrafish Embryogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:10820-10828. [PMID: 30157643 PMCID: PMC6169527 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is an organophosphate flame retardant used around the world. Within zebrafish, we previously showed that initiation of TDCIPP exposure during cleavage (0.75 h post-fertilization, hpf) results in epiboly disruption at 6 hpf, leading to dorsalized embryos by 24 hpf, a phenotype that mimics the effects of dorsomorphin (DMP), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist that dorsalizes embryos in the absence of epiboly defects. The objective of this study was to (1) investigate the role of BMP signaling in TDCIPP-induced toxicity during early embryogenesis, (2) identify other pathways and processes targeted by TDCIPP, and (3) characterize the downstream impacts of early developmental defects. Using zebrafish as a model, we first identified a sensitive window for TDCIPP-induced effects following exposure initiation at 0.75 hpf. We then investigated the effects of TDCIPP on the transcriptome during the first 24 h of development using mRNA sequencing and amplicon sequencing. Finally, we relied on whole-mount immunohistochemistry, dye-based labeling, and morphological assessments to study abnormalities later in embryonic development. Overall, our data suggest that the initiation of TDCIPP exposure during early blastula alters the normal trajectory of early embryogenesis by inducing gastrulation defects and aberrant germ-layer formation, leading to abnormal tissue and organ development within the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subham Dasgupta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Vanessa Cheng
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Sara M. F. Vliet
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Constance A. Mitchell
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - David C. Volz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Phone: (951) 827-4450; Fax: (951) 827 3993;
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14
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Mouti MA, Dee C, Coupland SE, Hurlstone AFL. Minimal contribution of ERK1/2-MAPK signalling towards the maintenance of oncogenic GNAQQ209P-driven uveal melanomas in zebrafish. Oncotarget 2018; 7:39654-39670. [PMID: 27166257 PMCID: PMC5129960 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations affecting Gαq proteins are pervasive in uveal melanoma (UM), suggesting they ‘drive’ UM pathogenesis. The ERK1/2-MAPK pathway is critical for cutaneous melanoma development and consequently an important therapeutic target. Defining the contribution of ERK1/2-MAPK signalling to UM development has been hampered by the lack of an informative animal model that spontaneously develops UM. Towards this end, we engineered transgenic zebrafish to express oncogenic GNAQQ209P in the melanocyte lineage. This resulted in hyperplasia of uveal melanocytes, but with no evidence of malignant progression, nor perturbation of skin melanocytes. Combining expression of oncogenic GNAQQ209P with p53 inactivation resulted in earlier onset and even more extensive hyperplasia of uveal melanocytes that progressed to UM. Immunohistochemistry revealed only weak immunoreactivity to phosphorylated (p)ERK1/2 in established uveal tumours—in contrast to strong immunoreactivity in oncogenic RAS-driven skin lesions—but ubiquitous positive staining for nuclear Yes-associated protein (YAP). Moreover, no changes were observed in pERK1/2 levels upon transient knockdown of GNAQ or phospholipase C-beta (PLC-β) inhibition in the majority of human UM cell lines we tested harbouring GNAQ mutations. In summary, our findings demonstrate a weak correlation between oncogenic GNAQQ209P mutation and sustained ERK1/2-MAPK activation, implying that ERK1/2 signalling is unlikely to be instrumental in the maintenance of GNAQQ209P-driven UMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Mouti
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Dee
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam F L Hurlstone
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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15
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Cechmanek PB, McFarlane S. Retinal pigment epithelium expansion around the neural retina occurs in two separate phases with distinct mechanisms. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:598-609. [PMID: 28556369 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a specialized monolayer of epithelial cells that forms a tight barrier surrounding the neural retina. RPE cells are indispensable for mature photoreceptor renewal and survival, yet how the initial RPE cell population expands around the neural retina during eye development is poorly understood. RESULTS Here we characterize the differentiation, proliferation, and movements of RPE progenitors in the Zebrafish embryo over the period of optic cup morphogenesis. RPE progenitors are present in the dorsomedial eye vesicle shortly after eye vesicle evagination. We define two separate phases that allow for full RPE expansion. The first phase involves a previously uncharacterized antero-wards expansion of the RPE progenitor domain in the inner eye vesicle leaflet, driven largely by an increase in cell number. During this phase, RPE progenitors start to express differentiation markers. In the second phase, the progenitor domain stretches in the dorsoventral and posterior axes, involving cell movements and shape changes, and coinciding with optic cup morphogenesis. Significantly, cell division is not required for RPE expansion. CONCLUSIONS RPE development to produce the monolayer epithelium that covers the back of the neural retina occurs in two distinct phases driven by distinct mechanisms. Developmental Dynamics 246:598-609, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Bernice Cechmanek
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah McFarlane
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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16
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Schartl M, Larue L, Goda M, Bosenberg MW, Hashimoto H, Kelsh RN. What is a vertebrate pigment cell? Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 29:8-14. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- Department Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter and Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken; University of Würzburg; University Clinic Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie; Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes CNRS UMR3347 INSERM U1021 Equipe labellisée - Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Orsay France
| | - Makoto Goda
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Institute; Nagoya University; Nagoya Japan
| | - Marcus W. Bosenberg
- Departments of Dermatology and Pathology; Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven CT USA
| | - Hisashi Hashimoto
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center; Nagoya University; Nagoya Japan
| | - Robert N. Kelsh
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine; University of Bath; Claverton Down Bath UK
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17
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Bishop B, Ho KK, Tyler K, Smith A, Bonilla S, Leung YF, Ogas J. The chromatin remodeler chd5 is necessary for proper head development during embryogenesis of Danio rerio. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:1040-50. [PMID: 26092436 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The chromatin remodeler CHD5 plays a critical role in tumor suppression and neurogenesis in mammals. CHD5 contributes to gene expression during neurogenesis, but there is still much to learn regarding how this class of remodelers contributes to differentiation and development. CHD5 remodelers are vertebrate-specific, raising the prospect that CHD5 plays one or more conserved roles in this phylum. Expression of chd5 in adult fish closely mirrors expression of CHD5 in adult mammals. Knockdown of Chd5 during embryogenesis suggests new roles for CHD5 remodelers based on resulting defects in craniofacial development including reduced head and eye size as well as reduced cartilage formation in the head. In addition, knockdown of Chd5 results in altered expression of neural markers in the developing brain and eye as well as a profound defect in differentiation of dopaminergic amacrine cells. Recombinant zebrafish Chd5 protein exhibits nucleosome remodeling activity in vitro, suggesting that it is the loss of this activity that contributes to the observed phenotypes. Our studies indicate that zebrafish is an appropriate model for functional characterization of CHD5 remodelers in vertebrates and highlight the potential of this model for generating novel insights into the role of this vital class of remodelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Bishop
- Department of Biochemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kwok Ki Ho
- Department of Biochemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kim Tyler
- Department of Biochemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Amanda Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Sylvia Bonilla
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Yuk Fai Leung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Joe Ogas
- Department of Biochemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
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18
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Jungke P, Hammer J, Hans S, Brand M. Isolation of Novel CreERT2-Driver Lines in Zebrafish Using an Unbiased Gene Trap Approach. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129072. [PMID: 26083735 PMCID: PMC4471347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene manipulation using the Cre/loxP-recombinase system has been successfully employed in zebrafish to study gene functions and lineage relationships. Recently, gene trapping approaches have been applied to produce large collections of transgenic fish expressing conditional alleles in various tissues. However, the limited number of available cell- and tissue-specific Cre/CreERT2-driver lines still constrains widespread application in this model organism. To enlarge the pool of existing CreERT2-driver lines, we performed a genome-wide gene trap screen using a Tol2-based mCherry-T2a-CreERT2 (mCT2aC) gene trap vector. This cassette consists of a splice acceptor and a mCherry-tagged variant of CreERT2 which enables simultaneous labeling of the trapping event, as well as CreERT2 expression from the endogenous promoter. Using this strategy, we generated 27 novel functional CreERT2-driver lines expressing in a cell- and tissue-specific manner during development and adulthood. This study summarizes the analysis of the generated CreERT2-driver lines with respect to functionality, expression, integration, as well as associated phenotypes. Our results significantly enlarge the existing pool of CreERT2-driver lines in zebrafish and combined with Cre-dependent effector lines, the new CreERT2-driver lines will be important tools to manipulate the zebrafish genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Jungke
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Juliane Hammer
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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19
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Gago-Rodrigues I, Fernández-Miñán A, Letelier J, Naranjo S, Tena JJ, Gómez-Skarmeta JL, Martinez-Morales JR. Analysis of opo cis-regulatory landscape uncovers Vsx2 requirement in early eye morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7054. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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20
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Phillips MJ, Perez ET, Martin JM, Reshel ST, Wallace KA, Capowski EE, Singh R, Wright LS, Clark EM, Barney PM, Stewart R, Dickerson SJ, Miller MJ, Percin EF, Thomson JA, Gamm DM. Modeling human retinal development with patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells reveals multiple roles for visual system homeobox 2. Stem Cells 2015; 32:1480-92. [PMID: 24532057 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been shown to differentiate along the retinal lineage in a manner that mimics normal mammalian development. Under certain culture conditions, hiPSCs form optic vesicle-like structures (OVs), which contain proliferating progenitors capable of yielding all neural retina (NR) cell types over time. Such observations imply conserved roles for regulators of retinogenesis in hiPSC-derived cultures and the developing embryo. However, whether and to what extent this assumption holds true has remained largely uninvestigated. We examined the role of a key NR transcription factor, visual system homeobox 2 (VSX2), using hiPSCs derived from a patient with microphthalmia caused by an R200Q mutation in the VSX2 homeodomain region. No differences were noted between (R200Q)VSX2 and sibling control hiPSCs prior to OV generation. Thereafter, (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs displayed a significant growth deficit compared to control hiPSC-OVs, as well as increased production of retinal pigmented epithelium at the expense of NR cell derivatives. Furthermore, (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs failed to produce bipolar cells, a distinctive feature previously observed in Vsx2 mutant mice. (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs also demonstrated delayed photoreceptor maturation, which could be overcome via exogenous expression of wild-type VSX2 at early stages of retinal differentiation. Finally, RNAseq analysis on isolated hiPSC-OVs implicated key transcription factors and extracellular signaling pathways as potential downstream effectors of VSX2-mediated gene regulation. Our results establish hiPSC-OVs as versatile model systems to study retinal development at stages not previously accessible in humans and support the bona fide nature of hiPSC-OV-derived retinal progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joseph Phillips
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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21
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Zagozewski JL, Zhang Q, Pinto VI, Wigle JT, Eisenstat DD. The role of homeobox genes in retinal development and disease. Dev Biol 2014; 393:195-208. [PMID: 25035933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Homeobox genes are an evolutionarily conserved class of transcription factors that are critical for development of many organ systems, including the brain and eye. During retinogenesis, homeodomain-containing transcription factors, which are encoded by homeobox genes, play essential roles in the regionalization and patterning of the optic neuroepithelium, specification of retinal progenitors and differentiation of all seven of the retinal cell classes that derive from a common progenitor. Homeodomain transcription factors control retinal cell fate by regulating the expression of target genes required for retinal progenitor cell fate decisions and for terminal differentiation of specific retinal cell types. The essential role of homeobox genes during retinal development is demonstrated by the number of human eye diseases, including colobomas and anophthalmia, which are attributed to homeobox gene mutations. In the following review, we highlight the role of homeodomain transcription factors during retinogenesis and regulation of their gene targets. Understanding the complexities of vertebrate retina development will enhance our ability to drive differentiation of specific retinal cell types towards novel cell-based replacement therapies for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Zagozewski
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9
| | - Vanessa I Pinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9
| | - Jeffrey T Wigle
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R2H 2A6
| | - David D Eisenstat
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7; Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9; Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 1C9.
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22
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Capowski EE, Simonett JM, Clark EM, Wright LS, Howden SE, Wallace KA, Petelinsek AM, Pinilla I, Phillips MJ, Meyer JS, Schneider BL, Thomson JA, Gamm DM. Loss of MITF expression during human embryonic stem cell differentiation disrupts retinal pigment epithelium development and optic vesicle cell proliferation. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:6332-44. [PMID: 25008112 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a master regulator of pigmented cell survival and differentiation with direct transcriptional links to cell cycle, apoptosis and pigmentation. In mouse, Mitf is expressed early and uniformly in optic vesicle (OV) cells as they evaginate from the developing neural tube, and null Mitf mutations result in microphthalmia and pigmentation defects. However, homozygous mutations in MITF have not been identified in humans; therefore, little is known about its role in human retinogenesis. We used a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) model that recapitulates numerous aspects of retinal development, including OV specification and formation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural retina progenitor cells (NRPCs), to investigate the earliest roles of MITF. During hESC differentiation toward a retinal lineage, a subset of MITF isoforms was expressed in a sequence and tissue distribution similar to that observed in mice. In addition, we found that promoters for the MITF-A, -D and -H isoforms were directly targeted by Visual Systems Homeobox 2 (VSX2), a transcription factor involved in patterning the OV toward a NRPC fate. We then manipulated MITF RNA and protein levels at early developmental stages and observed decreased expression of eye field transcription factors, reduced early OV cell proliferation and disrupted RPE maturation. This work provides a foundation for investigating MITF and other highly complex, multi-purposed transcription factors in a dynamic human developmental model system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sara E Howden
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | | | | | - Isabel Pinilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza 50009, Spain, Aragon Institute of Health Sciences, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
| | | | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - James A Thomson
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA, Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, McPherson Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA,
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23
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Sarropoulou E, Moghadam HK, Papandroulakis N, De la Gándara F, Ortega Garcia A, Makridis P. The Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda, Bloch 1793) transcriptome and detection of differential expression during larvae development. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87744. [PMID: 24503907 PMCID: PMC3913633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda, Bloch 1793) belongs to the important marine fish species with a wide geographical distribution covering the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and its bordering seas. Aquaculture practices for this species are still in their infancies and scientific studies are seldom undertaken, mainly because of difficulties in sampling. Thus for small tuna species like the Atlantic bonito only little is known about its biology and regarding the molecular background even less information is available. In the production of marine fish it is known that the most critical period is the larval stages, as high growth rates as well as significant developmental changes take place. In this study we have investigated the transcriptome of the Atlantic bonito of five larvae stages applying Illumina sequencing technology. For non-model species like aquaculture species, transcriptome analysis of RNA samples from individuals using Illumina sequencing technology is technically efficient and cost effective. In the present study a total number of 169,326,711 paired-end reads with a read length of 100 base pairs were generated resulting in a reference transcriptome of 68,220 contigs with an average length of 2054 base pairs. For differential expression analyses single end reads were obtained from different developmental stages and mapped to the constructed reference transcriptome. Differential expression analyses revealed in total 18,657 differentially expressed transcripts and were assigned to five distinguished groups. Each of the five clusters shows stage specific gene expression. We present for the first time in the Atlantic bonito an extensive RNA-Seq based characterization of its transcriptome as well as significant information on differential expression among five developmental larvae stages. The generated transcripts, including SNP and microsatellite information for candidate molecular markers and gene expression information will be a valuable resource for future genetic and molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sarropoulou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
- * E-mail:
| | - Hooman K. Moghadam
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikos Papandroulakis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Fernando De la Gándara
- Instituto Español de Oceanografia (IEO), Centro Oceanografico de Murcia, Carretera de La Azohia, Puerto de Mazarron, Spain
| | - Aurelio Ortega Garcia
- Instituto Español de Oceanografia (IEO), Centro Oceanografico de Murcia, Carretera de La Azohia, Puerto de Mazarron, Spain
| | - Pavlos Makridis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
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Higdon CW, Mitra RD, Johnson SL. Gene expression analysis of zebrafish melanocytes, iridophores, and retinal pigmented epithelium reveals indicators of biological function and developmental origin. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67801. [PMID: 23874447 PMCID: PMC3706446 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to facilitate understanding of pigment cell biology, we developed a method to concomitantly purify melanocytes, iridophores, and retinal pigmented epithelium from zebrafish, and analyzed their transcriptomes. Comparing expression data from these cell types and whole embryos allowed us to reveal gene expression co-enrichment in melanocytes and retinal pigmented epithelium, as well as in melanocytes and iridophores. We found 214 genes co-enriched in melanocytes and retinal pigmented epithelium, indicating the shared functions of melanin-producing cells. We found 62 genes significantly co-enriched in melanocytes and iridophores, illustrative of their shared developmental origins from the neural crest. This is also the first analysis of the iridophore transcriptome. Gene expression analysis for iridophores revealed extensive enrichment of specific enzymes to coordinate production of their guanine-based reflective pigment. We speculate the coordinated upregulation of specific enzymes from several metabolic pathways recycles the rate-limiting substrate for purine synthesis, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, thus constituting a guanine cycle. The purification procedure and expression analysis described here, along with the accompanying transcriptome-wide expression data, provide the first mRNA sequencing data for multiple purified zebrafish pigment cell types, and will be a useful resource for further studies of pigment cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Higdon
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CWH); (SLJ)
| | - Robi D. Mitra
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Stephen L. Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CWH); (SLJ)
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