The International journal of developmental biology最新文献

{"title":"Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of neuron phenotype.","authors":"Kaia Achim","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230204ka","DOIUrl":"10.1387/ijdb.230204ka","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the structure and function of cells is central to cell biology and physiology. The ability to control cell function may benefit biomedicine, such as cell-replacement therapy or regeneration. If structure defines function and cells are composed of water, lipids, small metabolites, nucleic acids, and proteins, of which the latter are largely encoded by the DNA present in the same cell, then one may assume that the cell types and variation in cellular phenotypes are shaped by differential gene expression. Cells of the same cell type maintain a similar composition. In this review, I will discuss the epigenetic and transcription regulation mechanisms guiding cell fate- specific gene expression in developing neural cells. Differentiation involves processes of cell-fate selection, commitment and maturation, which are not necessarily coupled.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":" ","pages":"199-209"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142038075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knock-in of a <i>3' UTR</i> Stop Cassette into the <i>Wnt4</i> locus increases mRNA expression and leads to ovarian cyst formation.","authors":"Nsrein Ali, Qi Xu, Renata Prunskaite-Hyyryläinen, Jingdong Shan, Seppo J Vainio","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230211na","DOIUrl":"10.1387/ijdb.230211na","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wnt4 signaling is critical for mammalian female sex determination, in female reproductive organ development, in follicular and oocyte maturation, and in steroid hormone production. When Wnt4 function is impaired, female embryos undergo partial female to male sex-reversal. This phenotype is associated with the expression of a set of somatic genes that are typical for the male differentiation pathways such as those of the Leydig cells. Given the roles of the 3`untranslated region (<i>3`UTR</i>) in control of gene expression, we addressed whether a knock-in of a stop cassette to 3`END of the <i>Wnt4</i> gene would impact female reproductive system development or function. The <i>3`UTR^stop</i> cassette indeed affected <i>Wnt4</i> gene expression <i>in vivo</i> so that the respective mRNA was upregulated in the ovaries of a three month-old female. The homozygous <i>Wnt4 3`UTR<sup>stop</sup></i> mice were noted to be leaner than their wild type (WT) littermate controls. Analysis of the ovarian follicular count at the age of three months revealed increased pre-antral but reduced ovarian corpus luteum follicular counts. Furthermore, two out of five of the homozygous female <i>Wnt4 3`UTR^stop</i> mice had ovarian cysts, not noted in WT controls. RT-qPCR and <i>in situ</i> hybridization analysis depicted changes in the expression of a panel of genes which encode enzymes that mediate the synthesis of female steroid hormones or their receptors due to the <i>Wnt4 3`UTR<sup>stop</sup></i> knock-in. Thus, female mice which had the homozygous construct exhibited elevated ovarian <i>Wnt4</i> mRNA expression and the corresponding knock-in was associated with changes in ovarian development and folliculogenesis. Our data reinforce the conclusion that deregulated <i>Wnt4</i> expression impacts female sex organogenesis, ovary development and function, and that the <i>Wnt4 3`UTR^stop</i> knock-in mouse provides a model to explore in more detail the roles of Wnt4 signaling in the process.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":" ","pages":"241-249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142735487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancer-promoter communication in <i>Drosophila</i> developmental gene transcription.","authors":"George Hunt, Mattias Mannervik","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230218gh","DOIUrl":"10.1387/ijdb.230218gh","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Enhancers play an essential role in gene regulation by receiving cues from transcription factors and relaying these signals to modulate transcription from target promoters. Enhancer-promoter communications occur across large linear distances of the genome and with high specificity. The molecular mechanisms that underlie enhancer-mediated control of transcription remain unresolved. In this review, we focus on research in <i>Drosophila</i> uncovering the molecular mechanisms governing enhancer-promoter communication and discuss the current understanding of developmental gene regulation. The functions of protein acetylation, pausing of RNA polymerase II, transcriptional bursting, and the formation of nuclear hubs in the induction of tissue-specific programs of transcription during zygotic genome activation are considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":" ","pages":"169-188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141312703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancement of neural crest formation by mechanical force in <i>Xenopus</i> development.","authors":"Toki Kaneshima, Masaki Ogawa, Takayoshi Yamamoto, Yosuke Tsuboyama, Yuki Miyata, Takahiro Kotani, Takaharu Okajima, Tatsuo Michiue","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230273tm","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.230273tm","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In vertebrate development, ectoderm is specified into neural plate (NP), neural plate border (NPB), and epidermis. Although such patterning is thought to be achieved by molecular concentration gradients, it has been revealed, mainly by <i>in vitro</i> analysis, that mechanical force can regulate cell specification. During <i>in vivo</i> patterning, cells deform and migrate, and this applies force to surrounding tissues, shaping the embryo. However, the role of mechanical force for cell specification <i>in vivo</i> is largely unknown. In this study, with an aspiration assay and atomic force microscopy, we have demonstrated that tension on ectodermal cells decreases laterally from the midline in <i>Xenopus</i> early neurula. Ectopically applied force laterally expanded the neural crest (NC) region, a derivative of the NPB, whereas force relaxation suppressed it. Furthermore, force application activated both the FGF and Wnt pathways, which are required for NC formation during neuroectodermal patterning. Taken together, mechanical force is necessary for NC formation in order to regulate signaling pathways. Furthermore, molecular signals specify the NP and generate force on neighboring tissue, the NPB, with its closure. This force activates signals, possibly determining the appropriate width of a narrow tissue, the NC.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":"68 1","pages":"25-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140874318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding megasporogenesis through model plants: contemporary evidence and future insights.","authors":"Inderdeep Kaur, Renu Kathpalia, Monika Koul","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230222mk","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.230222mk","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The megasporangium serves as a model system for understanding the concept of individual cell identity, and cell-to-cell communication in angiosperms. As development of the ovule progresses, three distinct layers, the epidermal (L1), the subepidermal or the hypodermal (L2) and the innermost layers (L3) are formed along the MMC (megaspore mother cell). The MMC, which is the primary female germline cell, is initiated as a single subepidermal cell amongst several somatic cells. MMC development is governed by various regulatory pathways involving intercellular signaling, small RNAs and DNA methylation. The programming and reprograming of a single nucellar cell to enter meiosis is governed by 'permissive' interacting processes and factors. Concomitantly, several nucellar sister cells are prevented from germline fate also by a set of 'repressive' factors. However, in certain angiosperms, anomalies in development of the female gametophyte have been observed. The sporophytic tissue surrounding the female gametophyte affects the gametophyte in multiple ways. The role of genes and transcription factors in the development of the MMC and in the regulation of various processes studied in selected model plants such as <i>Arabidopsis</i> is explained in detail in this paper. However, as angiosperms display enormous diversity, it is important to investigate early stages of megasporogenesis in other plant systems as well. Such studies provide valuable insights in understanding the regulation of megasporogenesis and the evolution of the female gametophyte from gymnosperms to flowering plants.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":"68 1","pages":"9-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140874161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developmental Biology in Nordic Countries.","authors":"Seppo Vainio, Satu Kuure","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.250030sv","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.250030sv","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":"68 4","pages":"145-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fgf8 gene regulatory network and the isthmic organizer: an evolutionary perspective.","authors":"Rajeev Chandel, Andreas Hörnblad","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.240198ah","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.240198ah","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), also known as the isthmic organizer (IsO), plays a critical role in the developmental patterning of the posterior midbrain and anterior hindbrain. Understanding the wiring of this organizer's deeply conserved gene regulatory network is of significant interest for both evolutionary and neurodevelopmental biology. Various secreted signalling molecules and transcription factors have been identified as being important components for the formation and function of the MHB. Among these, FGF8 is considered a primary mediator of IsO activity; it directs anterior-posterior patterning and promotes the specification and maintenance of the MHB. While the core gene regulatory network governing MHB development is well-characterized, the direct interactions between key regulatory genes and the cis-regulatory elements that control their spatiotemporal expression remain poorly understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the gene regulatory network underlying the formation of the vertebrate midbrain-hindbrain boundary. We focus in particular on Fgf8 and its regulatory landscape from an evolutionary perspective.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":"68 4","pages":"211-222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estrogen signaling in development: recent insights from the zebrafish.","authors":"Hannah M Wesselman, Rebecca A Wingert","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230116rw","DOIUrl":"10.1387/ijdb.230116rw","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While traditionally recognized as a sex hormone, estrogen has a potent effect on the development of tissues beyond those of the reproductive system. Estrogen synthesis enzymes and estrogen receptors are broadly expressed in vertebrate tissues, further indicating their importance in various processes. These include the tissues of the zebrafish, which is a particularly suitable model for studying early development due to its rapid <i>ex utero</i> ontogeny and conserved genetic and cellular composition with other vertebrates. In this review, we provide readers with an overview of estrogen signaling, discuss important attributes of the zebrafish animal model with a special focus on the kidney, and explore recent insights from zebrafish studies about the roles of estrogen signaling in organogenesis across germ layer derivatives that range from the kidney to the brain and liver.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139992195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disrupted odontoblast differentiation and dentin dysplasia in <i>Epiprofin</i>-deficient mice.","authors":"Lucia Jiménez-Rojo, Susana de Vega, Gaskon Ibarretxe, Takashi Nakamura, Fernando J Unda","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.240029lj","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.240029lj","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tooth formation is a process tightly regulated by reciprocal interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. These epithelial-mesenchyme interactions regulate the expression of target genes via transcription factors. Among the regulatory elements governing this process, Epiprofin/Sp6 is a zinc finger transcription factor which is expressed in the embryonic dental epithelium and in differentiating pre-odontoblasts. <i>Epiprofin</i> knockout (<i>Epfn</i>-/-) mice present severe dental abnormalities, such as supernumerary teeth and enamel hypoplasia. Here, we describe dentin defects in molars and incisors of <i>Epfn</i>-/- mice. We observed that in the absence of Epfn, markers of early odontoblast differentiation, such as alkaline phosphatase activity, <i>Dsp/Dpp</i> expression, and Collagen Type I deposition, are downregulated. In addition, the expression of tight and gap junction proteins was severely impaired in the predontoblastic cell layer of developing <i>Epfn</i>-/- molars. Altogether, our data shows that Epfn is crucial for the proper differentiation of dental mesenchymal cells towards functional odontoblasts and subsequent dentin-matrix deposition.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":"68 1","pages":"19-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140870544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The GLI code controls HNF1A levels during foregut differentiation.","authors":"Lucas Unger, Andreas F Mathisen, Simona Chera, Thomas Aga Legøy, Luiza Ghila","doi":"10.1387/ijdb.230220lg","DOIUrl":"10.1387/ijdb.230220lg","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells towards pancreatic islet endocrine cells is a complex process, involving the stepwise modulation of key developmental pathways, such as the Hedgehog signaling inhibition during early differentiation stages. In tandem with this active inhibition, key transcription factors for the islet endocrine cell fate, such as HNF1A, show specific changes in their expression patterns. Here we designed a pilot study aimed at investigating the potential interconnection between HH-signaling inhibition and the increase in the HNF1A expression during early regeneration, by inducing changes in the GLI code. This unveiled a link between the two, where GLI3-R mediated Hedgehog target genes inhibition is apparently required for HNF1A efficient expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":94228,"journal":{"name":"The International journal of developmental biology","volume":" ","pages":"223-230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139547919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}