Multiple functions of a Zic-like gene in the differentiation of notochord, central nervous system and muscle inCiona savignyiembryos

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (11) ◽  
pp. 2723-2732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaoru S. Imai ◽  
Yutaka Satou ◽  
Nori Satoh
Keyword(s):  
Target Gene ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Ciona Savignyi ◽  
Notochord Cells

Multiple functions of a Zic-like zinc finger transcription factor gene (Cs-ZicL) were identified in Ciona savignyi embryos. cDNA clones for Cs-ZicL, a β-catenin downstream genes, were isolated and the gene was transiently expressed in the A-line notochord/nerve cord lineage and in B-line muscle lineage from the 32-cell stage and later in a-line CNS lineage from the 110-cell stage. Suppression of Cs-ZicL function with specific morpholino oligonucleotide indicated that Cs-ZicL is essential for the formation of A-line notochord cells but not of B-line notochord cells, essential for the CNS formation and essential for the maintenance of muscle differentiation. The expression of Cs-ZicL in the A-line cells is downstream of β-catenin and a β-catenin-target gene, Cs-FoxD, which is expressed in the endoderm cells from the 16-cell stage and is essential for the differentiation of notochord. In spite of its pivotal role in muscle specification, the expression of Cs-ZicL in the muscle precursors is independent of Cs-macho1, which is another Zic-like gene encoding a Ciona maternal muscle determinant, suggesting another genetic cascade for muscle specification independent of Cs-macho1. Cs-ZicL may provide a future experimental system to explore how the gene expression in multiple embryonic regions is controlled and how the single gene can perform different functions in multiple types of embryonic cells.

Early embryonic expression ofFGF4/6/9gene and its role in the induction of mesenchyme and notochord inCiona savignyiembryos

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (7) ◽  
pp. 1729-1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaoru S. Imai ◽  
Nori Satoh ◽  
Yutaka Satou
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Ciona Savignyi ◽  
Mesenchyme Cell ◽  
Notochord Cells ◽  
Mesenchyme Cells ◽  
Endodermal Cells

In early Ciona savignyi embryos, nuclear localization of β-catenin is the first step of endodermal cell specification, and triggers the activation of various target genes. A cDNA for Cs-FGF4/6/9, a gene activated downstream of β-catenin signaling, was isolated and shown to encode an FGF protein with features of both FGF4/6 and FGF9/20. The early embryonic expression of Cs-FGF4/6/9 was transient and the transcript was seen in endodermal cells at the 16- and 32-cell stages, in notochord and muscle cells at the 64-cell stage, and in nerve cord and muscle cells at the 110-cell stage; the gene was then expressed again in cells of the nervous system after neurulation. When the gene function was suppressed with a specific antisense morpholino oligo, the differentiation of mesenchyme cells was completely blocked, and the fate of presumptive mesenchyme cells appeared to change into that of muscle cells. The inhibition of mesenchyme differentiation was abrogated by coinjection of the morpholino oligo and synthetic Cs-FGF4/6/9 mRNA. Downregulation of β-catenin nuclear localization resulted in the absence of mesenchyme cell differentiation due to failure of the formation of signal-producing endodermal cells. Injection of synthetic Cs-FGF4/6/9 mRNA in β-catenin-downregulated embryos evoked mesenchyme cell differentiation. These results strongly suggest that Cs-FGF4/6/9 produced by endodermal cells acts an inductive signal for the differentiation of mesenchyme cells. On the other hand, the role of Cs-FGF4/6/9 in the induction of notochord cells is partial; the initial process of the induction was inhibited by Cs-FGF4/6/9 morpholino oligo, but notochord-specific genes were expressed later to form a partial notochord.

Subfunctionalization of Duplicate mitf Genes Associated With Differential Degeneration of Alternative Exons in Fish

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Altschmied ◽  
Jacqueline Delfgaauw ◽  
Brigitta Wilde ◽  
Jutta Duschl ◽  
Laurence Bouneau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Fugu Rubripes ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Tetraodon Nigroviridis ◽  
Mammalian Lineage ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fish Proteins

Abstract The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) exists in at least four isoforms. These are generated in higher vertebrates using alternative 5′ exons and promoters from a single gene. Two separate genes (mitf-m and mitf-b), however, are present in different teleost fish species including the poeciliid Xiphophorus, the pufferfishes Fugu rubripes and Tetraodon nigroviridis, and the zebrafish Danio rerio. Fish proteins MITF-m and MITF-b correspond at both the structural and the expression levels to one particular bird/mammalian MITF isoform. In the teleost lineage subfunctionalization of mitf genes after duplication at least 100 million years ago is associated with the degeneration of alternative exons and, probably, regulatory elements and promoters. For example, a remnant of the first exon specific for MITF-m is detected within the pufferfish gene encoding MITF-b. Retracing the evolutionary history of mitf genes in vertebrates uncovered the differential recruitment of new introns specific for either the teleost or the bird/mammalian lineage.

Mutations affecting tail and notochord development in the ascidian Ciona savignyi

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (15) ◽  
pp. 3293-3301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Nakatani ◽  
R. Moody ◽  
W.C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Nerve Cord ◽  
Induced Mutations ◽  
Ciona Savignyi ◽  
New Information ◽  
Nerve Tracts ◽  
Notochord Cells ◽  
Dorsal Nerve

Ascidians are among the most distant chordate relatives of the vertebrates. However, ascidians share many features with vertebrates including a notochord and hollow dorsal nerve cord. A screen for N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutations affecting early development in the ascidian Ciona savignyi resulted in the isolation of a number of mutants including the complementing notochord mutants chongmague and chobi. In chongmague embryos the notochord fails to develop, and the notochord cells instead adopt a mesenchyme-like fate. The failure of notochord development in chongmague embryos results in a severe truncation of tail, although development of the tail muscles and caudal nerve tracts appears largely normal. Chobi embryos also have a truncation of the tail stemming from a disruption of the notochord. However, in chobi embryos the early development of the notochord appears normal and defects occur later as the notochord attempts to extend and direct elongation of the tail. We find in chobi tailbud embryos that the notochord is often bent, with cells clumped together, rather than extended as a column. These results provide new information on the function and development of the ascidian notochord. In addition, the results demonstrate how the unique features of ascidians can be used in genetic analysis of morphogenesis.

Yeast CBP1 mRNA 3' end formation is regulated during the induction of mitochondrial function

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 813-821
Author(s):  
S A Mayer ◽  
C L Dieckmann
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
State Level ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Coding Sequence ◽  
Polyadenylation Sites

Alternative mRNA processing is one mechanism for generating two or more polypeptides from a single gene. While many mammalian genes contain multiple mRNA 3' cleavage and polyadenylation signals that change the coding sequence of the mature mRNA when used at different developmental stages or in different tissues, only one yeast gene has been identified with this capacity. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear gene CPB1 encodes a mitochondrial protein that is required for cytochrome b mRNA stability. This 66-kDa protein is encoded by a 2.2-kb mRNA transcribed from CPB1. Previously we showed that a second 1.2-kb transcript is initiated at the CBP1 promoter but has a 3' end near the middle of the coding sequence. Furthermore, it was shown that the ratio of the steady-state level of 2.2-kb CBP1 message to 1.2-kb message decreases 10-fold during the induction of mitochondrial function, while the combined levels of both messages remain constant. Having proposed that regulation of 3' end formation dictates the amount of each CBP1 transcript, we now show that a 146-bp fragment from the middle of CBP1 is sufficient to direct carbon source-regulated production of two transcripts when inserted into the yeast URA3 gene. This fragment contains seven polyadenylation sites for the wild-type 1.2-kb mRNA, as mapped by sequence analysis of CBP1 cDNA clones. Deletion mutations upstream of the polyadenylation sites abolished formation of the 1.2-kb transcript, whereas deletion of three of the sites only led to a reduction in abundance of the 1.2-kb mRNA. Our results indicate that regulation of the abundance of both CBP1 transcripts is controlled by elements in a short segment of the gene that directs 3' end formation of the 1.2-kb transcript, a unique case in yeast cells.

scholarly journals Proopiomelanocortin, a polypeptide precursor with multiple functions: from physiology to pathological conditions

2003 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Raffin-Sanson ◽  
Y de Keyzer ◽  
X Bertagna
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Local Production ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Brain

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is the polypeptide precursor of ACTH. First discovered in anterior pituitary corticotroph cells, it has more recently been revealed to have many other physiological aspects. The fine molecular mechanisms of ACTH biosynthesis show that ACTH is but one piece of a puzzle which contains many other peptides. Present in various tIssues, among which are pituitary, hypothalamus, central nervous system and skin, POMC undergoes extensive post-translational processing. This processing is tIssue-specific and generates, depending on the case, various sets of peptides involved in completely diverse biological functions. POMC expressed in corticotroph cells of the pituitary is necessary for adrenal function. Recent developments have shown that POMC-expressing neurons in the brain play a major role in the control of pain and energy homeostasis. Local production of POMC-derived peptides in skin may influence melanogenesis. A still unknown function in the placenta is likely.POMC has become a paradigmatic polypeptide precursor model illustrating the variable roles of a single gene and its various products in different localities.

Mouse one-cell embryos undergoing a radiation-induced G2 arrest may re-enter S-phase in the absence of cytokinesis

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 618-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Jacquet ◽  
J Buset ◽  
J Vankerkom ◽  
S Baatout ◽  
L de Saint-Georges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calyculin A ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
G2 Arrest ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Chromosome Fragments ◽  
X Irradiation ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Mouse Zygotes ◽  
The One

PCC (premature chromosome condensation) can be used for visualizing and scoring damage induced by radiation in the chromatin of cells undergoing a G1 or G2 arrest. A method involving the fusion of irradiated single embryonic cells with single MI oocytes was used to induce PCC in mouse zygotes of the BALB/c strain, which suffer a drastic G2 arrest after X-irradiation (dose used 2.5 Gy). Other G2-arrested embryos were exposed in vitro to the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A. Both methods furnished excellent chromosome preparations of the G2-arrested embryos. The mean number of chromosome fragments did not change significantly during G2 arrest, suggesting that zygotes of this strain are unable to repair DNA damage leading to such aberrations. Forty to fifty percent of the irradiated embryos were unable to cleave after G2 arrest and remained blocked at the one-cell stage for a few days before dying. PCC preparations obtained from such embryos suggested that about 30% of them had undergone a late mitosis not followed by cytokinesis and had entered a new DNA synthesis. These results are discussed in the light of recent observations in irradiated human cells deficient in the p53/14-3-3sigma pathway.Key words: PCC, embryo, oocyte, calyculin A, G2 arrest, cytokinesis.

scholarly journals Comparative Analyses of Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiles between In Vitro Totipotent Blastomere-like Cells and In Vivo Early Mouse Embryonic Cells

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3111
Author(s):  
Po-Yu Lin ◽  
Denny Yang ◽  
Chi-Hsuan Chuang ◽  
Hsuan Lin ◽  
Wei-Ju Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Functional Features ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Extraembryonic Tissues

The developmental potential within pluripotent cells in the canonical model is restricted to embryonic tissues, whereas totipotent cells can differentiate into both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. Currently, the ability to culture in vitro totipotent cells possessing molecular and functional features like those of an early embryo in vivo has been a challenge. Recently, it was reported that treatment with a single spliceosome inhibitor, pladienolide B (plaB), can successfully reprogram mouse pluripotent stem cells into totipotent blastomere-like cells (TBLCs) in vitro. The TBLCs exhibited totipotency transcriptionally and acquired expanded developmental potential with the ability to yield various embryonic and extraembryonic tissues that may be employed as novel mouse developmental cell models. However, it is disputed whether TBLCs are ‘true’ totipotent stem cells equivalent to in vivo two-cell stage embryos. To address this question, single-cell RNA sequencing was applied to TBLCs and cells from early mouse embryonic developmental stages and the data were integrated using canonical correlation analyses. Differential expression analyses were performed between TBLCs and multi-embryonic cell stages to identify differentially expressed genes. Remarkably, a subpopulation within the TBLCs population expressed a high level of the totipotent-related genes Zscan4s and displayed transcriptomic features similar to mouse two-cell stage embryonic cells. This study underscores the subtle differences between in vitro derived TBLCs and in vivo mouse early developmental cell stages at the single-cell transcriptomic level. Our study has identified a new experimental model for stem cell biology, namely ‘cluster 3’, as a subpopulation of TBLCs that can be molecularly defined as near totipotent cells.

scholarly journals Structure, expression and phylogenetic analysis of the gene encoding actin I in Pneumocystis carinii.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
L D Fletcher ◽  
J M McDowell ◽  
R R Tidwell ◽  
R B Meagher ◽  
C C Dykstra
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Essential Gene ◽  
Pneumocystis Carinii ◽  
Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Actin Gene ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Actin Protein ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
High Degree

Abstract Actin is a major component of the cytoskeleton and one of the most abundant proteins found in eukaryotic cells. Comparative sequence analysis shows that this essential gene has been highly conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution making it useful for phylogenetic analysis. Complete cDNA clones for the actin-encoding gene were isolated and characterized from Pneumocystis carinii purified from immunosuppressed rat lungs. The nucleotide sequence encodes a protein of 376 amino acids. The predicted actin protein of P. carinii shares a high degree of conservation to other known actins. Only one major actin gene was found in P. carinii. The P. carinii actin sequence was compared with 30 other actin sequences. Gene phylogenies constructed using both neighbor-joining and protein parsimony methods places the P. carinii actin sequence closest to the majority of the fungi. Since the phylogenetic relationship of P. carinii to fungi and protists has been questioned, these data on the actin gene phylogeny support the grouping of P. carinii with the fungi.

scholarly journals Inactivation of the Neurospora crassa gene encoding the mitochondrial protein import receptor MOM19 by the technique of "sheltered RIP".

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
T A Harkness ◽  
R L Metzenberg ◽  
H Schneider ◽  
R Lill ◽  
W Neupert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurospora Crassa ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Selectable Marker ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Mutant Gene ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Precursor Proteins ◽  
Import Receptor

Abstract We have used a technique referred to as "sheltered RIP" (repeat induced point mutation) to create mutants of the mom-19 gene of Neurospora crassa, which encodes an import receptor for nuclear encoded mitochondrial precursor proteins. Sheltered RIP permits the isolation of a mutant gene in one nucleus, even if that gene is essential for the survival of the organism, by sheltering the nucleus carrying the mutant gene in a heterokaryon with an unaffected nucleus. Furthermore, the nucleus harboring the RIPed gene contains a selectable marker so that it is possible to shift nuclear ratios in the heterokaryons to a state in which the nucleus containing the RIPed gene predominates in cultures grown under selective conditions. This results in a condition where the target gene product should be present at very suboptimal levels and allows the study of the mutant phenotype. One allele of mom-19 generated by this method contains 44 transitions resulting in 18 amino acid substitutions. When the heterokaryon containing this allele was grown under conditions favoring the RIPed nucleus, no MOM19 protein was detectable in the mitochondria of the strain. Homokaryotic strains containing the RIPed allele exhibit a complex and extremely slow growth phenotype suggesting that the product of the mom-19 gene is important in N. crassa.

Xmsx-1 modifies mesodermal tissue pattern along dorsoventral axis in Xenopus laevis embryo

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (13) ◽  
pp. 2553-2560 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Maeda ◽  
A. Kobayashi ◽  
R. Sekine ◽  
J.J. Lin ◽  
H. Kung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Gene ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Animal Pole ◽  
Alpha Globin ◽  
Molecular Marker Analysis ◽  
Alpha Actin ◽  
Stage Stage

This study analyzes the expression and the function of Xenopus msx-1 (Xmsx-1) in embryos, in relation to the ventralizing activity of bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4). Expression of Xmsx-1 was increased in UV-treated ventralized embryos and decreased in LiCl-treated dorsalized embryos at the neurula stage (stage 14). Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that Xmsx-1 is expressed in marginal zone and animal pole areas, laterally and ventrally, but not dorsally, at mid-gastrula (stage 11) and late-gastrula (stage 13) stages. Injection of BMP-4 RNA, but not activin RNA, induced Xmsx-1 expression in the dorsal marginal zone at the early gastrula stage (stage 10+), and introduction of a dominant negative form of BMP-4 receptor RNA suppressed Xmsx-1 expression in animal cap and ventral marginal zone explants at stage 14. Thus, Xmsx-1 is a target gene specifically regulated by BMP-4 signaling. Embryos injected with Xmsx-1 RNA in dorsal blastomeres at the 4-cell stage exhibited a ventralized phenotype, with microcephaly and swollen abdomen. Histological observation and immunostaining revealed that these embryos had a large block of muscle tissue in the dorsal mesodermal area instead of notochord. On the basis of molecular marker analysis, however, the injection of Xmsx-1 RNA did not induce the expression of alpha-globin, nor reduce cardiac alpha-actin in dorsal marginal zone explants. Furthermore, a significant amount of alpha-actin was induced and alpha-globin was turned off in the ventral marginal zone explants injected with Xmsx-1. These results indicated that Xmsx-1 is a target gene of BMP-4 signaling, but possesses a distinct activity on dorsal-ventral patterning of mesodermal tissues.

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