1
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Koehler S, Huber TB. Insights into human kidney function from the study of Drosophila. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:3875-3887. [PMID: 37171583 PMCID: PMC10584755 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-05996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological and biomedical research using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism has gained recognition through several Nobel prizes within the last 100 years. Drosophila exhibits several advantages when compared to other in vivo models such as mice and rats, as its life cycle is very short, animal maintenance is easy and inexpensive and a huge variety of transgenic strains and tools are publicly available. Moreover, more than 70% of human disease-causing genes are highly conserved in the fruit fly. Here, we explain the use of Drosophila in nephrology research and describe two kidney tissues, Malpighian tubules and the nephrocytes. The latter are the homologous cells to mammalian glomerular podocytes and helped to provide insights into a variety of signaling pathways due to the high morphological similarities and the conserved molecular make-up between nephrocytes and podocytes. In recent years, nephrocytes have also been used to study inter-organ communication as links between nephrocytes and the heart, the immune system and the muscles have been described. In addition, other tissues such as the eye and the reproductive system can be used to study the functional role of proteins being part of the kidney filtration barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Koehler
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Hamburg Center for Kidney Health (HCKH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Tobias B Huber
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Kidney Health (HCKH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Spencer ZT, Ng VH, Benchabane H, Siddiqui GS, Duwadi D, Maines B, Bryant JM, Schwarzkopf A, Yuan K, Kassel SN, Mishra A, Pimentel A, Lebensohn AM, Rohatgi R, Gerber SA, Robbins DJ, Lee E, Ahmed Y. The USP46 deubiquitylase complex increases Wingless/Wnt signaling strength by stabilizing Arrow/LRP6. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6174. [PMID: 37798281 PMCID: PMC10556106 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of Wnt receptor abundance is critical for animal development and to prevent tumorigenesis, but the mechanisms that mediate receptor stabilization remain uncertain. We demonstrate that stabilization of the essential Wingless/Wnt receptor Arrow/LRP6 by the evolutionarily conserved Usp46-Uaf1-Wdr20 deubiquitylase complex controls signaling strength in Drosophila. By reducing Arrow ubiquitylation and turnover, the Usp46 complex increases cell surface levels of Arrow and enhances the sensitivity of target cells to stimulation by the Wingless morphogen, thereby increasing the amplitude and spatial range of signaling responses. Usp46 inactivation in Wingless-responding cells destabilizes Arrow, reduces cytoplasmic accumulation of the transcriptional coactivator Armadillo/β-catenin, and attenuates or abolishes Wingless target gene activation, which prevents the concentration-dependent regulation of signaling strength. Consequently, Wingless-dependent developmental patterning and tissue homeostasis are disrupted. These results reveal an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that mediates Wnt/Wingless receptor stabilization and underlies the precise activation of signaling throughout the spatial range of the morphogen gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T Spencer
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Victoria H Ng
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Hassina Benchabane
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Ghalia Saad Siddiqui
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Deepesh Duwadi
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Ben Maines
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Jamal M Bryant
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Anna Schwarzkopf
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Kai Yuan
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Sara N Kassel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Anant Mishra
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Ashley Pimentel
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Andres M Lebensohn
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rajat Rohatgi
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Scott A Gerber
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA
| | - David J Robbins
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Ethan Lee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Yashi Ahmed
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
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3
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Alvarez-Rodrigo I, Willnow D, Vincent JP. The logistics of Wnt production and delivery. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:1-60. [PMID: 36967191 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Wnts are secreted proteins that control stem cell maintenance, cell fate decisions, and growth during development and adult homeostasis. Wnts carry a post-translational modification not seen in any other secreted protein: during biosynthesis, they are appended with a palmitoleoyl moiety that is required for signaling but also impairs solubility and hence diffusion in the extracellular space. In some contexts, Wnts act only in a juxtacrine manner but there are also instances of long range action. Several proteins and processes ensure that active Wnts reach the appropriate target cells. Some, like Porcupine, Wntless, and Notum are dedicated to Wnt function; we describe their activities in molecular detail. We also outline how the cell infrastructure (secretory, endocytic, and retromer pathways) contribute to the progression of Wnts from production to delivery. We then address how Wnts spread in the extracellular space and form a signaling gradient despite carrying a hydrophobic moiety. We highlight particularly the role of lipid-binding Wnt interactors and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Finally, we briefly discuss how evolution might have led to the emergence of this unusual signaling pathway.
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4
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Zhao Y, Hu J, Wu J, Li Z. ChIP-seq profiling of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in an invasive insect, Bactrocera dorsalis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1108104. [PMID: 36911387 PMCID: PMC9996634 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1108104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: While it has been suggested that histone modifications can facilitate animal responses to rapidly changing environments, few studies have profiled whole-genome histone modification patterns in invasive species, leaving the regulatory landscape of histone modifications in invasive species unclear. Methods: Here, we screen genome-wide patterns of two important histone modifications, trimethylated Histone H3 Lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and trimethylated Histone H3 Lysine 27 (H3K27me3), in adult thorax muscles of a notorious invasive pest, the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq). Results: We identified promoters featured by the occupancy of H3K4me3, H3K27me3 or bivalent histone modifications that were respectively annotated with unique genes key to muscle development and structure maintenance. In addition, we found H3K27me3 occupied the entire body of genes, where the average enrichment was almost constant. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that H3K4me3 is associated with active gene transcription, and H3K27me3 is mostly associated with transcriptional repression. Importantly, we identified genes and putative motifs modified by distinct histone modification patterns that may possibly regulate flight activity. Discussion: These findings provide the first evidence of histone modification signature in B. dorsalis, and will be useful for future studies of epigenetic signature in other invasive insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Juntao Hu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Center of Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajiao Wu
- Technology Center of Guangzhou Customs, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihong Li
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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5
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Beaven R, Denholm B. Early patterning followed by tissue growth establishes distal identity in Drosophila Malpighian tubules. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:947376. [PMID: 36060795 PMCID: PMC9437309 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.947376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Specification and elaboration of proximo-distal (P-D) axes for structures or tissues within a body occurs secondarily from that of the main axes of the body. Our understanding of the mechanism(s) that pattern P-D axes is limited to a few examples such as vertebrate and invertebrate limbs. Drosophila Malpighian/renal tubules (MpTs) are simple epithelial tubules, with a defined P-D axis. How this axis is patterned is not known, and provides an ideal context to understand patterning mechanisms of a secondary axis. Furthermore, epithelial tubules are widespread, and their patterning is not well understood. Here, we describe the mechanism that establishes distal tubule and show this is a radically different mechanism to that patterning the proximal MpT. The distal domain is patterned in two steps: distal identity is specified in a small group of cells very early in MpT development through Wingless/Wnt signalling. Subsequently, this population is expanded by proliferation to generate the distal MpT domain. This mechanism enables distal identity to be established in the tubule in a domain of cells much greater than the effective range of Wingless.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barry Denholm
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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6
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Waghmare I, Page-McCaw A. Regulation of Wnt distribution and function by Drosophila glypicans. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:274233. [PMID: 35112708 PMCID: PMC8918805 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular distribution of secreted Wnt proteins is crucial for their ability to induce a response in target cells at short and long ranges to ensure proper development. Wnt proteins are evolutionarily conserved ligands that are lipid-modified, and their hydrophobic nature interferes with their solubility in the hydrophilic extracellular environment. This raises the question of how Wnt proteins spread extracellularly despite their lipid modifications, which are essential for both their secretion and function. Seminal studies on Drosophila Wingless (Wg), a prototypical Wnt, have discovered multiple mechanisms by which Wnt proteins spread. A central theme emerges from these studies: the Wnt lipid moiety is shielded from the aqueous environment, allowing the ligands to spread and remain viable for signaling. Wnt distribution in vivo is primarily facilitated by glypicans, which are cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and recent studies have further provided mechanistic insight into how glypicans facilitate Wnt distribution. In this Review, we discuss the many diverse mechanisms of Wnt distribution, with a particular focus on glypican-mediated mechanisms.
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7
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Matsuda S, Schaefer JV, Mii Y, Hori Y, Bieli D, Taira M, Plückthun A, Affolter M. Asymmetric requirement of Dpp/BMP morphogen dispersal in the Drosophila wing disc. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6435. [PMID: 34750371 PMCID: PMC8576045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26726-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
How morphogen gradients control patterning and growth in developing tissues remains largely unknown due to lack of tools manipulating morphogen gradients. Here, we generate two membrane-tethered protein binders that manipulate different aspects of Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a morphogen required for overall patterning and growth of the Drosophila wing. One is "HA trap" based on a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against the HA tag that traps HA-Dpp to mainly block its dispersal, the other is "Dpp trap" based on a Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) against Dpp that traps Dpp to block both its dispersal and signaling. Using these tools, we found that, while posterior patterning and growth require Dpp dispersal, anterior patterning and growth largely proceed without Dpp dispersal. We show that dpp transcriptional refinement from an initially uniform to a localized expression and persistent signaling in transient dpp source cells render the anterior compartment robust against the absence of Dpp dispersal. Furthermore, despite a critical requirement of dpp for the overall wing growth, neither Dpp dispersal nor direct signaling is critical for lateral wing growth after wing pouch specification. These results challenge the long-standing dogma that Dpp dispersal is strictly required to control and coordinate overall wing patterning and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonas V Schaefer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yusuke Mii
- National Institute for Basic Biology and Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- JST PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hori
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Masanori Taira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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8
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Magny EG, Platero AI, Bishop SA, Pueyo JI, Aguilar-Hidalgo D, Couso JP. Pegasus, a small extracellular peptide enhancing short-range diffusion of Wingless. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5660. [PMID: 34580289 PMCID: PMC8476528 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25785-z] [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: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Small Open Reading Frames (smORFs) coding for peptides of less than 100 amino-acids are an enigmatic and pervasive gene class, found in the tens of thousands in metazoan genomes. Here we reveal a short 80 amino-acid peptide (Pegasus) which enhances Wingless/Wnt1 protein short-range diffusion and signalling. During Drosophila wing development, Wingless has sequential functions, including late induction of proneural gene expression and wing margin development. Pegasus mutants produce wing margin defects and proneural expression loss similar to those of Wingless. Pegasus is secreted, and co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with Wingless, suggesting their physical interaction. Finally, measurements of fixed and in-vivo Wingless gradients support that Pegasus increases Wingless diffusion in order to enhance its signalling. Our results unveil a new element in Wingless signalling and clarify the patterning role of Wingless diffusion, while corroborating the link between small open reading frame peptides, and regulation of known proteins with membrane-related functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile G Magny
- Centro Andaluz de Biologia del Desarrollo, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Platero
- Centro Andaluz de Biologia del Desarrollo, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sarah A Bishop
- Centro Andaluz de Biologia del Desarrollo, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Jose I Pueyo
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Daniel Aguilar-Hidalgo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Juan Pablo Couso
- Centro Andaluz de Biologia del Desarrollo, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
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9
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Mehta S, Hingole S, Chaudhary V. The Emerging Mechanisms of Wnt Secretion and Signaling in Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714746. [PMID: 34485301 PMCID: PMC8415634 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnts are highly-conserved lipid-modified secreted proteins that activate multiple signaling pathways. These pathways regulate crucial processes during various stages of development and maintain tissue homeostasis in adults. One of the most fascinating aspects of Wnt protein is that despite being hydrophobic, they are known to travel several cell distances in the extracellular space. Research on Wnts in the past four decades has identified several factors and uncovered mechanisms regulating their expression, secretion, and mode of extracellular travel. More recently, analyses on the importance of Wnt protein gradients in the growth and patterning of developing tissues have recognized the complex interplay of signaling mechanisms that help in maintaining tissue homeostasis. This review aims to present an overview of the evidence for the various modes of Wnt protein secretion and signaling and discuss mechanisms providing precision and robustness to the developing tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Varun Chaudhary
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, India
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10
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Wang X, LaFever KS, Waghmare I, Page-McCaw A. Extracellular spreading of Wingless is required for Drosophila oogenesis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009469. [PMID: 33798197 PMCID: PMC8046344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009469] [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: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have investigated whether the Wnt family of extracellular ligands can signal at long range, spreading from their source and acting as morphogens, or whether they signal only in a juxtacrine manner to neighboring cells. The original evidence for long-range Wnt signaling arose from studies of Wg, a Drosophila Wnt protein, which patterns the wing disc over several cell diameters from a central source of Wg ligand. However, the requirement of long-range Wg for patterning was called into question when it was reported that replacing the secreted protein Wg with a membrane-tethered version, NRT-Wg, results in flies with normally patterned wings. We and others previously reported that Wg spreads in the ovary about 50 μm or 5 cell diameters, from the cap cells to the follicle stem cells (FSCs) and that Wg stimulates FSC proliferation. We used the NRT-wg flies to analyze the consequence of tethering Wg to the cap cells. NRT-wg homozygous flies are sickly, but we found that hemizygous NRT-wg/null flies, carrying only one copy of tethered Wingless, were significantly healthier. Despite their overall improved health, these hemizygous flies displayed dramatic reductions in fertility and in FSC proliferation. Further, FSC proliferation was nearly undetectable when the wg locus was converted to NRT-wg only in adults, and the resulting germarium phenotype was consistent with a previously reported wg loss-of-function phenotype. We conclude that Wg protein spreads from its source cells in the germarium to promote FSC proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kimberly S. LaFever
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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11
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Zecca M, Struhl G. A unified mechanism for the control of Drosophila wing growth by the morphogens Decapentaplegic and Wingless. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001111. [PMID: 33657096 PMCID: PMC8148325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of the Drosophila wing-a paradigm of organ development-is governed by 2 morphogens, Decapentaplegic (Dpp, a BMP) and Wingless (Wg, a Wnt). Both proteins are produced by defined subpopulations of cells and spread outwards, forming gradients that control gene expression and cell pattern as a function of concentration. They also control growth, but how is unknown. Most studies have focused on Dpp and yielded disparate models in which cells throughout the wing grow at similar rates in response to the grade or temporal change in Dpp concentration or to the different amounts of Dpp "equalized" by molecular or mechanical feedbacks. In contrast, a model for Wg posits that growth is governed by a progressive expansion in morphogen range, via a mechanism in which a minimum threshold of Wg sustains the growth of cells within the wing and recruits surrounding "pre-wing" cells to grow and enter the wing. This mechanism depends on the capacity of Wg to fuel the autoregulation of vestigial (vg)-the selector gene that specifies the wing state-both to sustain vg expression in wing cells and by a feed-forward (FF) circuit of Fat (Ft)/Dachsous (Ds) protocadherin signaling to induce vg expression in neighboring pre-wing cells. Here, we have subjected Dpp to the same experimental tests used to elucidate the Wg model and find that it behaves indistinguishably. Hence, we posit that both morphogens act together, via a common mechanism, to control wing growth as a function of morphogen range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Zecca
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- The Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gary Struhl
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- The Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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12
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Won JH, Cho KO. Wg secreted by conventional Golgi transport diffuses and forms Wg gradient whereas Wg tethered to extracellular vesicles do not diffuse. Cell Death Differ 2020; 28:1013-1025. [PMID: 33028960 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00632-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Wingless (Wg)/Wnt family proteins are essential for animal development and adult homeostasis. Drosophila Wg secreted from the dorsal-ventral (DV) midline in wing discs forms a concentration gradient that is shaped by diffusion rate and stability of Wg. To understand how the gradient of extracellular Wg is generated, we compared the secretion route of NRT-Wg, an artificial membrane-tethered form of Wg that is supposedly not secreted but still supports fly development, to that of wild-type Wg. We found that wild-type Wg is secreted by both conventional Golgi transport and via extracellular vesicles (EVs), and NRT-Wg can be also secreted via EVs. Furthermore, wild-type Wg secreted by Golgi transport diffused and formed Wg gradient but Wg-containing EVs did not diffuse at all. In case of Wg stability, Sol narae (Sona), a metalloprotease that cleaves Wg, contributes to generate a steep Wg gradient. Interestingly, Wg was also produced in the presumptive wing blade region, which indicates that NRT-Wg on EVs expressed in the blade allows the blade cells to proliferate and differentiate without Wg diffused from the DV midline. We propose that EV-associated Wg induces Wg signaling in autocrine and juxtaposed manners whereas Wg secreted by Golgi transport forms gradient and acts in the long-range signaling, and different organs differentially utilize these two types of Wg signaling for their own development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Hoon Won
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Kyung-Ok Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Korea.
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13
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Waghmare I, Wang X, Page-McCaw A. Dally-like protein sequesters multiple Wnt ligands in the Drosophila germarium. Dev Biol 2020; 464:88-102. [PMID: 32473955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cells in multicellular organisms rely on secreted ligands for development and morphogenesis. Several mechanisms modulate the availability and distribution of secreted ligands, determining their ability to signal locally and at long range from their source. One of these mechanisms is Dally-like protein (Dlp), a cell-surface glypican that exhibits biphasic functions in Drosophila wing discs, promoting Wg signaling at long-range from Wg source cells and inhibiting Wg signaling near source cells. In the germarium at the tip of the ovary, Dlp promotes long-range distribution of Wg from cap cells to follicle stem cells. However, the germarium also expresses other Wnts - Wnt2, Wnt4, and Wnt6 - that function locally in escort cells to promote oogenesis. Whether and how local functions of these Wnts are regulated remains unknown. Here we show that the dlp overexpression phenotype is multifaceted and phenocopies multiple Wnt loss-of-function phenotypes. Each aspect of dlp overexpression phenotype is suppressed by co-expression of individual Wnts, and the suppression pattern exhibited by each Wnt suggests that Wnts have functional specificity in the germarium. Further, dlp knockdown phenocopies Wnt gain-of-function phenotypes. Together these data show that Dlp inhibits the functions of each Wnt. All four Wnts co-immunoprecipitate with Dlp in S2R+ cells, suggesting that in the germarium, Dlp sequesters Wnts to inhibit local paracrine Wnt signaling. Our results indicate that Dlp modulates the availability of multiple extracellular Wnts for local paracrine Wnt signaling in the germarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Carrier of Wingless (Cow) Regulation of Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction Development. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0285-19.2020. [PMID: 32024666 PMCID: PMC7070448 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0285-19.2020] [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: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The first Wnt signaling ligand discovered, Drosophila Wingless [Wg (Wnt1 in mammals)], plays critical roles in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development, regulating synaptic architecture, and function. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), consisting of a core protein with heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, bind to Wg ligands to control both extracellular distribution and intercellular signaling function. Drosophila HSPGs previously shown to regulate Wg trans-synaptic signaling at the NMJ include the glypican Dally-like protein (Dlp) and perlecan Terribly Reduced Optic Lobes (Trol). Here, we investigate synaptogenic functions of the most recently described Drosophila HSPG, secreted Carrier of Wingless (Cow), which directly binds Wg in the extracellular space. At the glutamatergic NMJ, we find that Cow secreted from the presynaptic motor neuron acts to limit synaptic architecture and neurotransmission strength. In cow null mutants, we find increased synaptic bouton number and elevated excitatory current amplitudes, phenocopying presynaptic Wg overexpression. We show cow null mutants exhibit an increased number of glutamatergic synapses and increased synaptic vesicle fusion frequency based both on GCaMP imaging and electrophysiology recording. We find that membrane-tethered Wg prevents cow null defects in NMJ development, indicating that Cow mediates secreted Wg signaling. It was shown previously that the secreted Wg deacylase Notum restricts Wg signaling at the NMJ, and we show here that Cow and Notum work through the same pathway to limit synaptic development. We conclude Cow acts cooperatively with Notum to coordinate neuromuscular synapse structural and functional differentiation via negative regulation of Wg trans-synaptic signaling within the extracellular synaptomatrix.
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15
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Lu M, Mizumoto K. Gradient-independent Wnt signaling instructs asymmetric neurite pruning in C. elegans. eLife 2019; 8:e50583. [PMID: 31804181 PMCID: PMC6894928 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, the nervous system undergoes a refinement process by which neurons initially extend an excess number of neurites, the majority of which will be eliminated by the mechanism called neurite pruning. Some neurites undergo stereotyped and developmentally regulated pruning. However, the signaling cues that instruct stereotyped neurite pruning are yet to be fully elucidated. Here we show that Wnt morphogen instructs stereotyped neurite pruning for proper neurite projection patterning of the cholinergic motor neuron called PDB in C. elegans. In lin-44/wnt and lin-17/frizzled mutant animals, the PDB neurites often failed to prune and grew towards the lin-44-expressing cells. Surprisingly, membrane-tethered lin-44 is sufficient to induce proper neurite pruning in PDB, suggesting that neurite pruning does not require a Wnt gradient. LIN-17 and DSH-1/Dishevelled proteins were recruited to the pruning neurites in lin-44-dependent manners. Our results revealed the novel gradient-independent role of Wnt signaling in instructing neurite pruning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghao Lu
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Kota Mizumoto
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
- Life Sciences Institute, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
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16
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Chaudhary V, Hingole S, Frei J, Port F, Strutt D, Boutros M. Robust Wnt signaling is maintained by a Wg protein gradient and Fz2 receptor activity in the developing Drosophila wing. Development 2019; 146:dev174789. [PMID: 31399474 PMCID: PMC6703709 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Wnts are secreted proteins that regulate cell fate during development of all metazoans. Wnt proteins were proposed to spread over several cells to activate signaling directly at a distance. In the Drosophila wing epithelium, an extracellular gradient of the Wnt1 homolog Wingless (Wg) was observed extending over several cells away from producing cells. Surprisingly, however, it was also shown that a membrane-tethered Neurotactin-Wg fusion protein (NRT-Wg) can largely replace endogenous Wg, leading to proper patterning of the wing. Therefore, the functional range of Wg and whether Wg spreading is required for correct tissue patterning remains controversial. Here, by capturing secreted Wg on cells away from the source, we show that Wg acts over a distance of up to 11 cell diameters to induce signaling. Furthermore, cells located outside the reach of extracellular Wg depend on the Frizzled2 receptor to maintain signaling. Frizzled2 expression is increased in the absence of Wg secretion and is required to maintain signaling and cell survival in NRT-wg wing discs. Together, these results provide insight into the mechanisms by which robust Wnt signaling is achieved in proliferating tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Chaudhary
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Biological Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal 462066, India
| | - Swapnil Hingole
- Department of Biological Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri, Bhopal 462066, India
| | - Jana Frei
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fillip Port
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Strutt
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Tian A, Duwadi D, Benchabane H, Ahmed Y. Essential long-range action of Wingless/Wnt in adult intestinal compartmentalization. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008111. [PMID: 31194729 PMCID: PMC6563961 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transduction activated by Wingless/Wnt ligands directs cell proliferation and fate specification in metazoans, and its overactivation underlies the development of the vast majority of colorectal cancers. In the conventional model, the secretion and movement of Wingless to cells distant from its source of synthesis are essential for long-range signaling in tissue patterning. However, this model was upended recently by an unanticipated finding: replacement of wild-type Drosophila Wingless with a membrane-tethered form produced viable adults with largely normal external morphology, which suggested that Wingless secretion and movement are dispensable for tissue patterning. Herein, we tested this foundational principle in the adult intestine, where Wingless signaling gradients coincide with all major boundaries between compartments. We find that the critical roles of Wingless during adult intestinal development, which include regulation of target gene activation, boundary formation, stem cell proliferation, epithelial cell fate specification, muscle differentiation, gut folding, and signaling crosstalk with the Decapentaplegic pathway, are all disrupted by Wingless tethering. These findings provide new evidence that supports the requirement for the direct, long-range action of Wingless in tissue patterning, with relevance for animal development, tissue homeostasis and Wnt-driven disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Tian
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Deepesh Duwadi
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Hassina Benchabane
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Yashi Ahmed
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Stewart
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Aravinda-Bharathi Ramakrishnan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ken M. Cadigan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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19
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Martínez-Corrales G, Cabrero P, Dow JAT, Terhzaz S, Davies SA. Novel roles for GATAe in growth, maintenance and proliferation of cell populations in the Drosophila renal tubule. Development 2019; 146:dev.178087. [PMID: 31036543 DOI: 10.1242/dev.178087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The GATA family of transcription factors is implicated in numerous developmental and physiological processes in metazoans. In Drosophila melanogaster, five different GATA factor genes (pannier, serpent, grain, GATAd and GATAe) have been reported as essential in the development and identity of multiple tissues, including the midgut, heart and brain. Here, we present a novel role for GATAe in the function and homeostasis of the Drosophila renal (Malpighian) tubule. We demonstrate that reduced levels of GATAe gene expression in tubule principal cells induce uncontrolled cell proliferation, resulting in tumorous growth with associated altered expression of apoptotic and carcinogenic key genes. Furthermore, we uncover the involvement of GATAe in the maintenance of stellate cells and migration of renal and nephritic stem cells into the tubule. Our findings of GATAe as a potential master regulator in the events of growth control and cell survival required for the maintenance of the Drosophila renal tubule could provide new insights into the molecular pathways involved in the formation and maintenance of a functional tissue and kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Martínez-Corrales
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pablo Cabrero
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Julian A T Dow
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Selim Terhzaz
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Shireen-A Davies
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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