FGF1 patterns the optic vesicle by directing the placement of the neural retina domain

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 869-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hyer ◽  
T. Mima ◽  
T. Mikawa
Keyword(s):  
Neural Retina ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Optic Vesicle ◽  
Surface Ectoderm ◽  
Pigmented Epithelium ◽  
Optic Vesicles ◽  
Cell Phenotypes

Patterning of the bipotential retinal primordia (the optic vesicles) into neural retina and retinal pigmented epithelium depends on its interaction with overlaying surface ectoderm. The surface ectoderm expresses FGFs and the optic vesicles express FGF receptors. Previous FGF-expression data and in vitro analyses support the hypothesis that FGF signaling plays a significant role in patterning the optic vesicle. To test this hypothesis in vivo we removed surface ectoderm, a rich source of FGFs. This ablation generated retinas in which neural and pigmented cell phenotypes were co-mingled. Two in vivo protocols were used to replace FGF secretion by surface ectoderm: (1) implantation of FGF-secreting fibroblasts, and (2) injection of replication-incompetent FGF retroviral expression vectors. The retinas in such embryos exhibited segregated neural and pigmented epithelial domains. The neural retina domains were always close to a source of FGF secretion. These results indicate that, in the absense of surface ectoderm, cells of the optic vesicles display both neural and pigmented retinal phenotypes, and that positional cues provided by FGF organize the bipotential optic vesicle into specific neural retina and pigmented epithelium domains. We conclude that FGF can mimic one of the earliest functions of surface ectoderm during eye development, namely the demarcation of neural retina from pigmented epithelium.

Extraocular mesenchyme patterns the optic vesicle during early eye development in the embryonic chick

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (21) ◽  
pp. 4599-4609 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Fuhrmann ◽  
E.M. Levine ◽  
T.A. Reh
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Eye Development ◽  
Neural Retina ◽  
Optic Vesicle ◽  
Lateral Plate ◽  
Surface Ectoderm ◽  
Eye Growth ◽  
Pigmented Epithelium ◽  
Optic Vesicles ◽  
Vertebrate Eye

The vertebrate eye develops from the neuroepithelium of the ventral forebrain by the evagination and formation of the optic vesicle. Classical embryological studies have shown that the surrounding extraocular tissues - the surface ectoderm and extraocular mesenchyme - are necessary for normal eye growth and differentiation. We have used explant cultures of chick optic vesicles to study the regulation of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) patterning and differentiation during early eye development. Our results show that extraocular mesenchyme is required for the induction and maintenance of expression of the RPE-specific genes Mitf and Wnt13 and the melanosomal matrix protein MMP115. In the absence of extraocular tissues, RPE development did not occur. Replacement of the extraocular mesenchyme with cranial mesenchyme, but not lateral plate mesoderm, could rescue expression of the RPE-marker Mitf. In addition to activating expression of RPE-specific genes, the extraocular mesenchyme inhibits the expression of the neural retina-specific transcription factor Chx10 and downregulates the eye-specific transcription factors Pax6 and Optx2. The TGF(β) family member activin can substitute for the extraocular mesenchyme by promoting expression of the RPE-specific genes and downregulating expression of the neural retina-specific markers. These data indicate that extraocular mesenchyme, and possibly an activin-like signal, pattern the domains of the optic vesicle into RPE and neural retina.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs in Valvular Heart Diseases: Biological Regulators, Prognostic Markers and Therapeutical Targets

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12132
Author(s):  
Francesco Nappi ◽  
Adelaide Iervolino ◽  
Sanjeet Singh Avtaar Singh ◽  
Massimo Chello
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Valve ◽  
Mitral Valve Prolapse ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Osteoblastic Differentiation ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Chordae Tendineae ◽  
Valvular Heart Diseases

miRNAs have recently attracted investigators’ interest as regulators of valvular diseases pathogenesis, diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutical targets. Evidence from in-vivo and in-vitro studies demonstrated stimulatory or inhibitory roles in mitral valve prolapse development, aortic leaflet fusion, and calcification pathways, specifically osteoblastic differentiation and transcription factors modulation. Tissue expression assessment and comparison between physiological and pathological phenotypes of different disease entities, including mitral valve prolapse and mitral chordae tendineae rupture, emerged as the best strategies to address miRNAs over or under-representation and thus, their impact on pathogeneses. In this review, we discuss the fundamental intra- and intercellular signals regulated by miRNAs leading to defects in mitral and aortic valves, congenital heart diseases, and the possible therapeutic strategies targeting them. These miRNAs inhibitors are comprised of antisense oligonucleotides and sponge vectors. The miRNA mimics, miRNA expression vectors, and small molecules are instead possible practical strategies to increase specific miRNA activity. Advantages and technical limitations of these new drugs, including instability and complex pharmacokinetics, are also presented. Novel delivery strategies, such as nanoparticles and liposomes, are described to improve knowledge on future personalized treatment directions.

scholarly journals BCAT1 Activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway and Contributes to the Angiogenesis and Tumorigenicity of Gastric Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiong Shu ◽  
Pan-Pan Zhan ◽  
Li-Xin Sun ◽  
Long Yu ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Xenograft Models ◽  
Cell Phenotypes

BackgroundFocusing on antiangiogenesis may provide promising choices for treatment of gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic role of BCAT1 in the pathogenesis of GC, particularly in angiogenesis.MethodsBioinformatics and clinical samples analysis were used to investigate the expression and potential mechanism of BCAT1 in GC. BGC823 cells with BCAT1 overexpression or silencing were induced by lentiviral transduction. Cell phenotypes and angiogenesis were evaluated. The relevant proteins were quantized by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. Xenograft models were constructed to confirm the role of BCAT1 in vivo.ResultsBCAT1 was overexpressed in GC patients and associated with lower survival. BCAT1 expression was correlated with proliferation-, invasion-, or angiogenesis-related markers expression and pathways. Silencing BCAT1 expression suppressed cell viability, colony formation, cycle progression, invasion, and angiogenesis of BGC823 cells, as well as the tumor growth of xenograft models, whereas overexpressing BCAT1 had the opposite results both in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and Western blotting demonstrated that BCAT1 activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The addition of LY294002 reversed the tumor growth induced by BCAT1 overexpression, further verifying this mechanism.ConclusionBCAT1 might act as an oncogene by facilitating proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis through activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This finding could aid the optimization of antiangiogenesis strategies.

The Msh-like homeobox genes define domains in the developing vertebrate eye

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 1053-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.P. Monaghan ◽  
D.R. Davidson ◽  
C. Sime ◽  
E. Graham ◽  
R. Baldock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Ciliary Body ◽  
Cellular Differentiation ◽  
Temporal Relationship ◽  
Chromosomal Location ◽  
Neural Retina ◽  
Optic Vesicle ◽  
Surface Ectoderm ◽  
Optic Cup ◽  
Vertebrate Eye

The mouse Hox-7.1 gene has previously been shown to be related to the Drosophila Msh homeobox-containing gene. Here we report the isolation of a new member of this family which resides at an unlinked chromosomal location and has been designated Hox-8.1. Both Hox-7.1 and Hox-8.1 are expressed in the mouse embryo during the early stages of eye development in a distinct spatial and temporal relationship. Hox-8.1 is expressed in the surface ectoderm and in the optic vesicle before invagination occurs in regions corresponding to the prospective corneal epithelium and neural retina, respectively. Hox-7.1 is expressed after formation of the optic cup, marking the domain that will give rise to the ciliary body. The activity of these genes indicates that the inner layer of the optic cup is differentiated into three distinct compartments before overt cellular differentiation occurs. Our results suggest that these genes are involved in defining the region that gives rise to the inner layer of the optic cup and in patterning this tissue to define the iris, ciliary body and retina.

scholarly journals Expression of normal and truncated forms of human endoglin

1999 ◽  
Vol 339 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla RAAB ◽  
Beatriz VELASCO ◽  
Pedro LASTRES ◽  
Ainhoa LETAMENDÍA ◽  
Carmela CALÉS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Protein ◽  
Recombinant Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Transmembrane Glycoprotein

Endoglin is a transmembrane glycoprotein 633 residues in length expressed at the surface of endothelial cells as a disulphide-linked homodimer; the specific cysteine residues involved in endoglin dimerization are unknown. Mutations in the coding region of the endoglin gene are responsible for hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1 (HHT1), a dominantly inherited vascular disorder. Many of these mutations, if translated, would lead to truncated forms of the protein. It is therefore of interest to assess the protein expression of different truncated forms of endoglin. Infections in vitro or in vivo with recombinant vaccinia virus, as well as transient transfections with expression vectors, were used to express normal and truncated forms of endoglin. Truncated mutants could be classified into three different groups: (1) those that did not produce stable transcripts; (2) those that produced stable transcripts but did not secrete the protein; and (3) those that secreted a soluble dimeric protein. This is the first time that a recombinant truncated form of endoglin has been found to be expressed in a soluble form. Because a chimaeric construct encoding the N-terminal sequence of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) antigen fused to residues Ile281-Ala658 of endoglin also yielded a dimeric surface protein, these results suggest that cysteine residues contained within the fragment Cys330-Cys412 are involved in disulphide bond formation. Infection with vaccinia recombinants encoding an HHT1 mutation did not affect the expression of the normal endoglin, and did not reveal an association of the recombinant soluble form with the transmembrane endoglin, supporting a haploinsufficiency model for HHT1.

scholarly journals Promoter-proximal poly(A) sites are processed efficiently, but the RNA products are unstable in the nucleus.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 2127-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Scott ◽  
M J Imperiale
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Proximity Effects ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
A Site ◽  
Hiv 1

The presence of two polyadenylation signals in the primary transcript of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provirus leads to a requirement for regulation of 3'-end processing. To ensure that viral genome replication and gene expression occur, polyadenylation must occur at the poly(A) site transcribed from the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) but not the 5' LTR. Models that have been proposed to explain this regulation include (i) inhibition of the 5' site as a result of proximity to the promoter and (ii) enhancement of the 3' site by U3 sequences that are transcribed upstream of only the 3' poly(A) site. In previous studies designed to investigate these models, a reduction in the levels of steady-state RNA was observed when the HIV-1 poly(A) site was placed within 500 nucleotides of the cap site. Although these findings were interpreted to be the result of promoter proximity effects on 3'-end processing, in vitro studies demonstrated that the HIV-1 poly(A) site was equally functional in promoter-proximal and promoter-distal positions. These results led to the hypothesis that, in vivo, the poly(A) site is fully active at this close distance but the short transcripts produced are highly unstable in the nucleus and undergo rapid degradation, precluding their appearance as abundant mRNAs in the steady-state pool. To investigate the biogenesis of these short RNAs in vivo, experiments were performed to examine directly the nuclear processing rates of the HIV-1 poly(A) site in intact cells. By using recombinant adenoviruses as expression vectors, it is now demonstrated conclusively that the HIV-1 poly(A) site is indeed processed at equivalent levels independent of its distance from the promoter. Although transcripts containing the promoter-proximal poly(A) site are processed efficiently, most undergo degradation in the nucleus instead of nucleocytoplasmic transport.

scholarly journals Overexpression of human fibroblast caldesmon fragment containing actin-, Ca++/calmodulin-, and tropomyosin-binding domains stabilizes endogenous tropomyosin and microfilaments.

1994 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
K S Warren ◽  
J L Lin ◽  
D D Wamboldt ◽  
J J Lin
Keyword(s):  
Cho Cells ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Microfilament Bundles ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Triton X

Fibroblast caldesmon is a protein postulated to participate in the modulation of the actin cytoskeleton and the regulation of actin-based motility. The cDNAs encoding the NH2-terminal (aa.1-243, CaD40) and COOH-terminal (aa.244-538, CaD39) fragments of human caldesmon were subcloned into expression vectors and we previously reported that bacterially produced CaD39 protein retains its actin-binding properties as well as its ability to enhance low M(r) tropomyosin (TM) binding to actin and to inhibit TM-actin-activated HMM ATPase activity in vitro (Novy, R. E., J. R. Sellers, L.-F. Liu, and J. J.-C. Lin. 1993. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton. 26:248-261). Bacterially produced CaD40 does not bind actin. To study the in vivo effects of CaD39 expression on the stability of actin filaments in CHO cells, we isolated and characterized stable CHO transfectants which express varying amounts of CaD39. We found that expression of CaD39 in CHO cells stabilized microfilament bundles as well as endogenous TM. CaD39-expressing clones displayed an increased resistance to cytochalasin B and Triton X-100 treatments and yielded increased amounts of TM-containing actin filaments in microfilament isolation procedures. In addition, analysis of these clones with immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with anti-TM antibody revealed that stabilized endogenous TM and enhanced TM-containing microfilament bundles parallel increased amounts of CaD39 expression. The increased TM observed corresponded to a decrease in TM turnover rate and did not appear to be due to increased synthesis of endogenous TM. Additionally, the phenomenon of stabilized TM did not occur in stable CHO clones expressing CaD40. Therefore, it is likely that CaD39 can enhance TM's binding to F-actin in vivo, thus reducing TM's rate of turnover and stabilizing actin microfilament bundles.

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