scholarly journals The exit of axons and glial membrane from the developing Drosophila retina requires integrins

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Ren ◽  
Yong Rao
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Visual System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Optic Lobe ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Optic Stalk ◽  
Eye Disc ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Glial Membrane ◽  
Projection Pattern

AbstractCoordinated development of neurons and glia is essential for the establishment of neuronal circuits during embryonic development. In the developing Drosophila visual system, photoreceptor (R cell) axons and wrapping glial (WG) membrane extend from the eye disc through the optic stalk into the optic lobe. Extensive studies have identified a number of genes that control the establishment of R-cell axonal projection pattern in the optic lobe. The molecular mechanisms directing the exit of R-cell axons and WG membrane from the eye disc, however, remain unknown. In this study, we show that integrins are required in R cells for the extension of R-cell axons and WG membrane from the eye disc into the optic stalk. Knockdown of integrins in R cells but not WG caused the stalling of both R-cell axons and WG membrane in the eye disc. Interfering with the function of Rhea (i.e. the Drosophila ortholog of vertebrate talin and a key player of integrin-mediated adhesion), caused an identical stalling phenotype. These results support a key role for integrins on R-cell axons in directing R-cell axons and WG membrane to exit the eye disc.

scholarly journals The Pebble/Rho1/Anillin pathway controls polyploidization and axonal wrapping activity in the glial cells of the Drosophila eye

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lígia Tavares ◽  
Patrícia Grácio ◽  
Raquel Ramos ◽  
Rui Traquete ◽  
João B. Relvas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Membrane Area ◽  
Optic Stalk ◽  
Eye Disc ◽  
Glial Membrane ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Cytoskeletal Rearrangements ◽  
Perineurial Cells ◽  
Proliferation And Migration

AbstractDuring development glial cell are crucially important for the establishment of neuronal networks. Proliferation and migration of glial cells can be modulated by neurons, and in turn glial cells can differentiate to assume key roles such as axonal wrapping and targeting. To explore the roles of actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in glial cells, we studied the function of Rho1 in Drosophila developing visual system. We show that the Pebble (RhoGEF)/Rho1/Anillin pathway is required for glia proliferation and to prevent the formation of large polyploid perineurial glial cells, which can still migrate into the eye disc if generated. Surprisingly, this Rho1 pathway is not necessary to establish the total glial membrane area or for the differentiation of the polyploid perineurial cells. The resulting polyploid wrapping glial cells are able to initiate wrapping of axons in the basal eye disc, however the arrangement and density of glia nuclei and membrane processes in the optic stalk are altered and the ensheathing of the photoreceptor axonal fascicles is reduced.

Pre-existing neuronal pathways in the developing optic lobes of Drosophila

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 739-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tix ◽  
J.S. Minden ◽  
G.M. Technau
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Visual System ◽  
Optic Lobe ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Optic Tract ◽  
Optic Stalk ◽  
Optic Lobes ◽  
First Order ◽  
Form Part

We have identified a set of larval neurones in the developing adult optic lobes of Drosophila by selectively labelling cells that have undergone only a few mitoses. A cluster of three cells is located in each of the optic lobes near the insertion site of the optic stalk. Their axons fasciculate with fibres of the larval optic nerve, the Bolwig's nerve, and then form part of the posterior optic tract. These cells are likely to be first order interneurones of the larval visual system. Unlike the Bolwig's nerve, they persist into the adult stage. The possibility of a pioneering function of the larval visual system during formation of the adult optic lobe neuropil is discussed.

scholarly journals sine oculis is a homeobox gene required for Drosophila visual system development.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
pp. 1137-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Serikaku ◽  
J E O'Tousa
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Visual System ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Optic Lobe ◽  
System Development ◽  
Photoreceptor Cells ◽  
P Element ◽  
Sine Oculis ◽  
Visual System Development ◽  
Bolwig's Organ

Abstract The somda (sine oculis-medusa) mutant is the result of a P element insertion at position 43C on the second chromosome. somda causes aberrant development of the larval photoreceptor (Bolwig's) organ and the optic lobe primordium in the embryo. Later in development, adult photoreceptors fail to project axons into the optic ganglion. Consequently optic lobe development is aborted and photoreceptor cells show age-dependent retinal degeneration. The so gene was isolated and characterized. The gene encodes a homeodomain protein expressed in the optic lobe primordium and Bolwig's organ of embryos, in the developing adult visual system of larvae, and in photoreceptor cells and optic lobes of adults. In addition, the SO product is found at invagination sites during embryonic development: at the stomadeal invagination, the cephalic furrow, and at segmental boundaries. The mutant somda allele causes severe reduction of SO embryonic expression but maintains adult visual system expression. Ubiquitous expression of the SO gene product in 4-8-hr embryos rescues all somda mutant abnormalities, including the adult phenotypes. Thus, all deficits in adult visual system development and function results from failure to properly express the so gene during embryonic development. This analysis shows that the homeodomain containing SO gene product is involved in the specification of the larval and adult visual system development during embryogenesis.

The Role of the Endothelium in Premature Atherosclerosis: Molecular Mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1041-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Spartalis ◽  
Eleftherios Spartalis ◽  
Antonios Athanasiou ◽  
Stavroula A. Paschou ◽  
Christos Kontogiannis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Made In

Atherosclerotic disease is still one of the leading causes of mortality. Atherosclerosis is a complex progressive and systematic artery disease that involves the intima of the large and middle artery vessels. The inflammation has a key role in the pathophysiological process of the disease and the infiltration of the intima from monocytes, macrophages and T-lymphocytes combined with endothelial dysfunction and accumulated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the main findings of atherogenesis. The development of atherosclerosis involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. Although a large number of genes, genetic polymorphisms, and susceptible loci have been identified in chromosomal regions associated with atherosclerosis, it is the epigenetic process that regulates the chromosomal organization and genetic expression that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Despite the positive progress made in understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the knowledge about the disease remains scarce.

scholarly journals Unfolded protein response triggers differential apoptotic mechanisms in ovaries and early embryos exposed to maternal type 1 diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslı Okan ◽  
Necdet Demir ◽  
Berna Sozen
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Caspase 12 ◽  
Early Embryos ◽  
Protein Response

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) has profound effects on the female mammalian reproductive system, and early embryonic development, reducing female reproductive outcomes and inducing developmental programming in utero. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. Accumulating evidence implicates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress with maternal DM associated pathophysiology. Yet the direct pathologies and causal events leading to ovarian dysfunction and altered early embryonic development have not been determined. Here, using an in vivo mouse model of Type 1 DM and in vitro hyperglycaemia-exposure, we demonstrate the activation of ER-stress within adult ovarian tissue and pre-implantation embryos. In diabetic ovaries, we show that the unfolded protein response (UPR) triggers an apoptotic cascade by the co-activation of Caspase 12 and Cleaved Caspase 3 transducers. Whereas DM-exposed early embryos display differential ER-associated responses; by activating Chop in within embryonic precursors and Caspase 12 within placental precursors. Our results offer new insights for understanding the pathological effects of DM on mammalian ovarian function and early embryo development, providing new evidence of its mechanistic link with ER-stress in mice.

Expression of the BDNF gene in the developing visual system of the chick

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1643-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.H. Herzog ◽  
K. Bailey ◽  
Y.A. Barde
Keyword(s):  
Visual System ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Bdnf Gene ◽  
Bdnf Mrna ◽  
Optic Stalk ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Activity Dependent

Using a sensitive and quantitative method, the mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined during the development of the chick visual system. Low copy numbers were detected, and BDNF was found to be expressed in the optic tectum already 2 days before the arrival of the first retinal ganglion cell axons, suggesting an early role of BDNF in tectal development. After the beginning of tectal innervation, BDNF mRNA levels markedly increased, and optic stalk transection at day 4 (which prevents subsequent tectal innervation) was found to reduce the contralateral tectal levels of BDNF mRNA. Comparable reductions were obtained after injection of tetrodotoxin into one eye, indicating that, already during the earliest stages of target encounter in the CNS, the degree of BDNF gene expression is influenced by activity-dependent mechanisms. BDNF mRNA was also detected in the retina itself and at levels comparable to those found in the tectum. Together with previous findings indicating that BDNF prevents the death of cultured chick retinal ganglion cells, these results support the idea that the tightly controlled expression of the BDNF gene might be important in the co-ordinated development of the visual system.

scholarly journals Melatonin enhances porcine embryo development via the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eui Hyun Kim ◽  
Geon A Kim ◽  
Anukul Taweechaipaisankul ◽  
Seok Hee Lee ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Porcine Embryo ◽  
Responsive Element

Oxidative stress (OS) is a major problem during in vitro culture of embryos. Numerous studies have shown that melatonin, which is known to have antioxidant properties, prevents the occurrence of OS in embryos. However, the molecular mechanisms by which melatonin prevents OS in embryos are still unclear. The present study suggests a possible involvement of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant-responsive element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway, which is one of the prominent signals for OS prevention through Nrf2 activation, connecting melatonin, OS prevention and porcine embryonic development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin (10−7 M) on porcine embryonic development via the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway; brusatol (50 nM; Nrf2 specific inhibitor) was used to validate the mechanism. Treatment of porcine embryo with melatonin significantly increased formation rates of blastocysts and their total cell numbers and also upregulated the expression of Nrf2/ARE signaling and apoptosis-related genes (MT2, NRF2, UCHL, HO-1, SOD1 and BCL-2). Furthermore, the expression of proteins (NRF2 and MT2) was also upregulated in the melatonin-treated group. Concomitantly, brusatol significantly inhibited these effects, upregulating the expression of KEAP1 and BAX, including the expression level of KEAP1 protein. These results provide evidences that melatonin prevents OS through Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in porcine in vitro fertilization -derived embryos.

Dorsotonals/homothorax, the Drosophila homologue of meis1, interacts with extradenticle in patterning of the embryonic PNS

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kurant ◽  
C.Y. Pai ◽  
R. Sharf ◽  
N. Halachmi ◽  
Y.H. Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Restricted Pattern

The homeotic genes of the bithorax complex are required, among other things, for establishing the patterns of sensory organs in the embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, the molecular mechanisms by which these genes affect pattern formation in the PNS are not understood and other genes that function in this pathway are not characterized. Here we report the phenotypic and molecular analysis of one such gene, homothorax (hth; also named dorsotonals). Mutations in the hth gene seem to alter the identity of the abdominal chordotonal neurons, which depend on Abd-A for their normal development. However, these mutations do not alter the expression of the abd-A gene, suggesting that hth may be involved in modulating abd-A activity. We have generated multiple mutations in the hth locus and cloned the hth gene. hth encodes a homeodomain-containing protein that is most similar to the murine proto-oncogene meis1. The hth gene is expressed throughout embryonic development in a spatially restricted pattern, which is modulated in abdominal segments by abd-A and Ubx. The spatial distribution of the HTH protein during embryonic development is very similar to the distribution of the Extradenticle (EXD) protein, a known modulator of homeotic gene activity. Here we show that the PNS phenotype of exd mutant embryos is virtually indistinguishable from that of hth mutant embryos and does not simply follow the homeotic transformations observed in the epidermis. We also show that the HTH protein is present in extremely low levels in embryos lacking exd activity as compared to wild-type embryos. In contrast, the EXD protein is present in fairly normal levels in hth mutant embryos, but fails to accumulate in nuclei and remains cytoplasmic. Ectopic expression of hth can drive ectopic nuclear localization of EXD. Based on our observations we propose that the genetic interactions between hth and exd serve as a novel mechanism for regulating homeotic protein activity in embryonic PNS development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document