bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Jaw and branchial arch mutants in zebrafish II: anterior arches and cartilage differentiation
Authors: Piotrowski Tatjana , Schilling Thomas F. , Brand Michael , Jiang Yun-Jin , Heisenberg Carl-Philipp , Beuchle Dirk , Grandel Heiner , Eeden Fredericus J. M. van , Furutani-Seiki Makoto , Granato Michael , Haffter Pascal , Hammerschmidt Matthias , Kane Donald A. , Kelsh Robert N. , Mullins Mary C. , Odenthal Jörg , Warga Rachel M. , Nüsslein-Volhard Christiane 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
In a large scale screen for mutants that affect the early development of the zebrafish, 109 mutants were found that cause defects in the formation of the jaw and the more posterior pharyngeal arches. Here we present the phenotypic description and results of the complementation analysis of mutants belonging to two major classes: (1) mutants with defects in the mandibular and hyoid arches and (2) mutants with defects in cartilage differentiation and growth in all arches. Mutations in four of the genes identified during the screen show specific defects in the first two arches and leave the more posterior pharyngeal arches largely unaffected (schmerle, sucker, hoover and sturgeon). In these mutants ventral components of the mandibular and hyoid arches are reduced (Meckel’s cartilage and ceratohyal cartilage) whereas dorsal structures (palatoquadrate and hyosymplectic cartilages) are of normal size or enlarged. Thus, mutations in single genes cause defects in the formation of first and second arch structures but also differentially affect development of the dorsal and ventral structures within one arch.
In 27 mutants that define at least 8 genes, the differentiation of cartilage and growth is affected. In hammerhead mutants particularly the mesodermally derived cartilages are reduced, whereas jellyfish mutant larvae are characterized by a severe reduction of all cartilaginous elements, leaving only two pieces in the position of the ceratohyal cartilages. In all other mutant larvae all skeletal elements are present, but consist of smaller and disorganized chondrocytes. These mutants also exhibit shortened heads and reduced pectoral fins. In homozygous knorrig embryos, tumor-like outgrowths of chondrocytes occur along the edges of all cartilaginous elements. The mutants presented here may be valuable tools for elucidating the genetic mechanisms that underlie the development of the mandibular and the hyoid arches, as well as the process of cartilage differentiation.
Mutations affecting cell fates and cellular rearrangements during gastrulation in zebrafish
Authors: Solnica-Krezel Lilianna , Stemple Derek L. , Mountcastle-Shah Eliza , Rangini Zehava , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Malicki Jarema , Schier Alexander F. , Stainier Didier Y. R. , Zwartkruis Fried , Abdelilah Salim , Driever Wolfgang 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
One of the major challenges of developmental biology is understanding the inductive and morphogenetic processes that shape the vertebrate embryo. In a large-scale genetic screen for zygotic effect, embryonic lethal mutations in zebrafish we have identified 25 mutations that affect specification of cell fates and/or cellular rearrangements during gastrulation. These mutations define at least 14 complementation groups, four of which correspond to previously identified genes. Phenotypic analysis of the ten novel loci revealed three groups of mutations causing distinct effects on cell fates in the gastrula. One group comprises mutations that lead to deficiencies in dorsal mesodermal fates and affect central nervous system patterning. Mutations from the second group affect formation of ventroposterior embryonic structures. We suggest that mutations in these two groups identify genes necessary for the formation, maintenance or function of the dorsal organizer and the ventral signaling pathway, respectively. Mutations in the third group affect primarily cellular rearrangements during gastrulation and have complex effects on cell fates in the embryo. This group, and to some extent mutations from the first two groups, affect the major morphogenetic processes, epiboly, convergence and extension, and tail morphogenesis. These mutations provide an approach to understanding the genetic control of gastrulation in vertebrates.
Torso signalling regulates terminal patterning in Drosophila by antagonising Groucho-mediated repression
Authors: Paroush Ze’ev , Wainwright S. Mark , Ish-Horowicz David 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Patterning of the non-segmental termini of the Drosophila embryo depends on signalling via the Torso receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Activation of Torso at the poles of the embryo triggers restricted expression of the zygotic gap genes tailless (tll) and huckebein (hkb). In this paper, we show that the Groucho (Gro) corepressor acts in this process to confine terminal gap gene expression to the embryonic termini. Embryos lacking maternal gro activity display ectopic tll and hkb transcription; the former leads, in turn, to lack of abdominal expression of the Krüppel and knirps gap genes. We show that torso signalling permits terminal gap gene expression by antagonising Gromediated repression. Thus, the corepressor Gro is employed in diverse developmental contexts and, probably, by a variety of DNA-binding repressors.
Alveogenesis failure in PDGF-A-deficient mice is coupled to lack of distal spreading of alveolar smooth muscle cell progenitors during lung development
Authors: Lindahl Per , Karlsson Linda , Hellström Mats , Gebre-Medhin Samuel , Willetts Karen , Heath John K. , Betsholtz Christer 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
PDGF-A−/− mice lack lung alveolar smooth muscle cells (SMC), exhibit reduced deposition of elastin fibres in the lung parenchyma, and develop lung emphysema due to complete failure of alveogenesis. We have mapped the expression of PDGF-A, PDGF receptor-α, tropoelastin, smooth muscle α-actin and desmin in developing lungs from wild type and PDGF-A−/− mice of pre- and postnatal ages in order to get insight into the mechanisms of PDGF-A-induced alveolar SMC formation and elastin deposition. PDGF-A was expressed by developing lung epithelium. Clusters of PDGF-Rα-positive (PDGF-Rα+) mesenchymal cells occurred at the distal epithelial branches until embryonic day (E) 15.5. Between E16.5 and E17.5, PDGF-Rα+ cells multiplied and spread to acquire positions as solitary cells in the terminal sac walls, where they remained until the onset of alveogenesis. In PDGF-A−/− lungs PDGF-Rα+ cells failed to multiply and spread and instead remained in prospective bronchiolar walls. Three phases of tropoelastin expression were seen in the developing lung, each phase characterized by a distinct pattern of expression. The third phase, tropoelastin expression by developing alveolar SMC in conjunction with alveogenesis, was specifically and completely absent in PDGF-A−/− lungs. We propose that lung PDGF-Rα+ cells are progenitors of the tropoelastin-positive alveolar SMC. We also propose that postnatal alveogenesis failure in PDGF-A−/− mice is due to a prenatal block in the distal spreading of PDGF-Rα+ cells along the tubular lung epithelium during the canalicular stage of lung development.
Smoothened-mediated Hedgehog signalling is required for the maintenance of the anterior-posterior lineage restriction in the developing wing of Drosophila
Authors: Blair Seth S. , Ralston Amy 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
It is thought that the posterior expression of the ‘selector’ genes engrailed and invected control the subdivision of the growing wing imaginal disc of Drosophila into anterior and posterior lineage compartments. At present, the cellular mechanisms by which separate lineage compartments are maintained are not known. Most models have assumed that the presence or absence of selector gene expression autonomously drives the expression of compartment-specific adhesion or recognition molecules that inhibit intermixing between compartments. However, our present understanding of Hedgehog signalling from posterior to anterior cells raises some interesting alternative models based on a cell’s response to signalling. We show here that anterior cells that lack smoothened, and thus the ability to receive the Hedgehog signal, no longer obey a lineage restriction in the normal position of the anterior-posterior boundary. Rather these clones extend into anatomically posterior territory, without any changes in engrailed/invected gene expression. We have also examined clones lacking both en and inv; these too show complex behaviors near the normal site of the compartment boundary, and do not always cross entirely into anatom-ically anterior territory. Our results suggest that compart-mentalization is a complex process involving intercom-partmental signalling; models based on changes in affinity or growth will be discussed.
Expression and interactions of the two closely related homeobox genes Phox2a and Phox2b during neurogenesis
Authors: Pattyn Alexandre , Morin Xavier , Cremer Harold , Goridis Christo , Brunet Jean-François 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Recent evidence suggests that specific families of homeo-domain transcription factors control the generation and survival of distinct neuronal types. We had previously char-acterized the homeobox gene Phox2a, which is expressed in differentiating neurons of the central and peripheral autonomic nervous system as well as in motor nuclei of the hindbrain. Targeted deletion of the Phox2a gene affects part of the structures in which it is expressed: the locus coeruleus, visceral sensory and parasympathetic ganglia and, as we show here, the nuclei of the IIIrd and IVth cranial nerves. We now report on the characterization of Phox2b, a close relative of Phox2a, with an identical homeo-domain. Phox2a and Phox2b are co-expressed at most sites, therefore suggesting a broader role for Phox2 genes in the specification of the autonomic nervous system and cranial motor nuclei than revealed by the Phox2a knock-out mice. A detailed analysis of the relative timing of Phox2a and Phox2b expression at various sites suggests positive cross-regulations, which are substantiated by the loss of Phox2b expression in cranial ganglia of Phox2a-deficient mice. In the major part of the rhombencephalon, Phox2b expression precedes that of Phox2a and starts in the proliferative neu-roepithelium, in a pattern strikingly restricted on the dorsoventral axis and at rhombomeric borders. This suggests that Phox2b links early patterning events to the differentiation of defined neuronal populations in the hindbrain.
Patterning of the chick forebrain anlage by the prechordal plate
Authors: Pera Edgar M. , Kessel Michael 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
We analysed the role of the prechordal plate in forebrain development of chick embryos in vivo. After transplantation to uncommitted ectoderm a prechordal plate induces an ectopic, dorsoventrally patterned, forebrain-like vesicle. Grafting laterally under the anterior neural plate causes ventralization of the lateral side of the forebrain, as indicated by a second expression domain of the homeobox gene NKX2.1. Such a lateral ventralization cannot be induced by the secreted factor Sonic Hedgehog alone, as this is only able to distort the ventral forebrain medially. Removal of the prechordal plate does not reduce the ros-trocaudal extent of the anterior neural tube, but leads to significant narrowing and cyclopia. Excision of the head process results in the caudal expansion of the NKX2.1 expression in the ventral part of the anterior neural tube, while PAX6 expression in the dorsal part remains unchanged. We suggest that there are three essential steps in early forebrain patterning, which culminate in the ventralization of the forebrain. First, anterior neuralization occurs at the primitive streak stage, when BMP-4-antago-nizing factors emanate from the node and spread in a planar fashion to induce anterior neural ectoderm. Second, the anterior translocation of organizer-derived cells shifts the source of neuralizing factors anteriorly, where the relative concentration of BMP-4-antagonists is thus elevated, and the medial part of the prospective forebrain becomes competent to respond to ventralizing factors. Third, the forebrain anlage is ventralized by signals including Sonic Hedgehog, thereby creating a new identity, the prospective hypothalamus, which splits the eye anlage into two lateral domains.
The expression of the C. elegans labial-like Hox gene ceh-13 during early embryogenesis relies on cell fate and on anteroposterior cell polarity
Authors: Wittmann Claudia , Bossinger Olaf , Goldstein Bob , Fleischmann Martin , Kohler Reto , Brunschwig Karin , Tobler Heinz , Müller Fritz 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Clusters of homeobox-containing HOM-C/hox genes determine the morphology of animal body plans and body parts and are thought to mediate positional information. Here, we describe the onset of embryonic expression of ceh-13, the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologue of the Drosophila labial gene, which is the earliest gene of the C. elegans Hox gene cluster to be activated in C. elegans development. At the beginning of gastrulation, ceh-13 is asymmetrically expressed in posterior daughters of anteroposterior divisions, first in the posterior daughter of the intestinal precursor cell E and then in all posterior daughters of the AB descendants ABxxx. In this paper, we present evidence that supports position-independent activation of ceh-13 during early C. elegans embryogenesis, which integrates cell fate determinants and cell polarity cues. Our findings imply that mechanisms other than cell-extrinsic anteroposterior positional signals play an important role in the activation and regulation of the C. elegans Hox gene ceh-13.
ETTIN patterns the Arabidopsis floral meristem and reproductive organs
Authors: Sessions Allen , Nemhauser Jennifer L. , McCall Andy , Roe Judith L. , Feldmann Ken A. , Zambryski Patricia C. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
ettin (ett) mutations have pleiotropic effects on Arabidopsis flower development, causing increases in perianth organ number, decreases in stamen number and anther formation, and apical-basal patterning defects in the gynoecium. The ETTIN gene was cloned and encodes a protein with homology to DNA binding proteins which bind to auxin response elements. ETT transcript is expressed throughout stage 1 floral meristems and subsequently resolves to a complex pattern within petal, stamen and carpel primordia. The data suggest that ETT functions to impart regional identity in floral meristems that affects perianth organ number spacing, stamen formation, and regional differentiation in stamens and the gynoecium. During stage 5, ETT expression appears in a ring at the top of the floral meristem before morphological appearance of the gynoecium, consistent with the proposal that ETT is involved in prepatterning apical and basal boundaries in the gynoecium primordium. Double mutant analyses and expression studies show that although ETT transcriptional activation occurs independently of the meristem and organ identity genes LEAFY, APETELA1, APETELA2 and AGAMOUS, the functioning of these genes is necessary for ETT activity. Double mutant analyses also demonstrate that ETT functions independently of the ‘b’ class genes APETELA3 and PISTILLATA. Lastly, double mutant analyses suggest that ETT control of floral organ number acts independently of CLAVATA loci and redundantly with PERIANTHIA.
The Drosophila tango gene encodes a bHLH-PAS protein that is orthologous to mammalian Arnt and controls CNS midline and tracheal development
Authors: Sonnenfeld Margaret , Ward Mary , Nystrom Gerald , Mosher Jack , Stahl Stephanie , Crews Stephen 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The Drosophila single-minded and trachealess bHLH-PAS genes control transcription and development of the CNS midline cell lineage and tracheal tubules, respectively. We show that Single-minded and Trachealess activate transcription by forming dimers with the Drosophila Tango protein that is an orthologue of the mammalian Arnt protein. Both cell culture and in vivo studies show that a DNA enhancer element acts as a binding site for both Single-minded∷Tango and Trachealess∷Tango heterodimers and functions in controlling CNS midline and tracheal transcription. Isolation and analysis of tango mutants reveal CNS midline and tracheal defects, and gene dosage studies demonstrate in vivo interactions between single-minded∷tango and trachealess∷tango. These experiments support the existence of an evolutionarily conserved, functionally diverse bHLH-PAS protein regulatory system.
Two signalling pathways specify localised expression of the Broad-Complex in Drosophila eggshell patterning and morphogenesis
Authors: Deng Wu-Min , Bownes Mary 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The Drosophila eggshell, which has a pair of chorionic appendages (dorsal appendages) located asymmetrically along both the anterior/posterior and dorsal/ventral axes, provides a good model to study signal instructed morphogenesis. We show that the Broad-Complex, a gene encoding zinc-finger transcription factors, is essential for the morphogenesis of dorsal appendages and is expressed in a bilaterally symmetrical pattern in the lateral-dorsal-anterior follicle cells during late oogenesis. This is induced and specified along the dorsoventral axis by an epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathway, which includes a localised transforming growth factor-alpha like molecule, Gurken, in the oocyte and the Drosophila EGF receptor homologue, Torpedo, in the surrounding somatic follicle cells. Furthermore, the precisely localised expression of BR-C along the AP axis requires a separate signalling pathway, initiated by a transforming growth factor-beta homologue, Decapentaplegic, in nearby follicle cells. These two signalling pathways, one from the oocyte and the other from the follicle cells, co- ordinately specify patches of follicle cells to express the Broad-Complex in a unique position in respect to both major axes, which in turn directs the differentiation of the dorsal appendages in the correct position on the eggshell.
Steroid regulated programmed cell death during Drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Jiang Changan , Baehrecke Eric H. , Thummel Carl S. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
During insect metamorphosis, pulses of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysone) direct the destruction of obsolete larval tissues and their replacement by tissues and structures that form the adult fly. We show here that larval midgut and salivary gland histolysis are stage-specific steroid-triggered programmed cell death responses. Dying larval midgut and salivary gland cell nuclei become permeable to the vital dye acridine orange and their DNA undergoes fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis. Furthermore, the histolysis of these tissues can be inhibited by ectopic expression of the baculovirus antiapoptotic protein p35, implicating a role for caspases in the death response. Coordinate stage-specific induction of the Drosophila death genes reaper (rpr) and head involution defective (hid) immediately precedes the destruction of the larval midgut and salivary gland. In addition, the diap2 anti-cell death gene is repressed in larval salivary glands as rpr and hid are induced, suggesting that the death of this tissue is under both positive and negative regulation. Finally, diap2 is repressed by ecdysone in cultured salivary glands under the same conditions that induce rpr expression and trigger programmed cell death. These studies indicate that ecdysone directs the death of larval tissues via the precise stage- and tissue-specific regulation of key death effector genes.
Human ZP3 restores fertility in Zp3 null mice without affecting order-specific sperm binding
Authors: Rankin Tracy L. , Tong Zhi-Bin , Castle Philip E. , Lee Eric , Gore-Langton Robert , Nelson Lawrence M. , Dean Jurrien 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
The mammalian zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs mediates sperm binding at fertilization, provides a postfertilization block to polyspermy, and facilitates passage of pre-implantation embryos down the oviduct. Although the three zona proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) are well conserved, mammalian fertilization is relatively specific and human sperm do not bind to the mouse zona pellucida. There are considerable in vitro data that ZP3 acts as a primary sperm adhesion molecule in mice and, by analogy, a similar role has been postulated for human ZP3. Genetically altered mice lacking ZP3 (Zp3tm/tm) do not form a zona pellucida and are infertile. To rescue this phenotype, transgenic mice expressing human ZP3 (67% identical to mouse ZP3) were produced and bred with Zp3tm/tm null mice. The resultant human ZP3 rescue females had chimeric zonae pellucidae composed of mouse ZP1, mouse ZP2 and human ZP3. Human ZP3 expressed in mouse oocytes had an apparent mass (64 kDa) indistinguishable from native human ZP3 and distinct from mouse ZP3 (83 kDa). Despite the presence of human ZP3, human sperm did not bind to the chimeric zona pellucida, and notwithstanding the absence of mouse ZP3, mouse sperm bound to ovulated eggs in vitro and fertility was restored in vivo. These data have implications regarding the molecular basis of mouse and human sperm binding to their respective zonae pellucidae.
Role of caudal in hindgut specification and gastrulation suggests homology between Drosophila amnioproctodeal invagination and vertebrate blastopore
Authors: Wu Linda H. , Lengyel Judith A. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
During early embryogenesis in Drosophila, caudal mRNA is distributed as a gradient with its highest level at the posterior of the embryo. This suggests that the Caudal homeodomain transcription factor might play a role in establishing the posterior domains of the embryo that undergo gastrulation and give rise to the posterior gut. By generating embryos lacking both the maternal and zygotic mRNA contribution, we show that caudal is essential for invagination of the hindgut primordium and for further specification and development of the hindgut. These effects are achieved by the function of caudal in activating different target genes, namely folded gastrulation, which is required for invagination of the posterior gut primordium, and fork head and wingless, which are required to promote development of the internalized hindgut primordium. caudal is not sufficient for hindgut gastrulation and development, however, as it does not play a significant role in activating expression of the genes tailless, huckebein, brachyenteron and bowel. We argue that caudal and other genes expressed at the posterior of the Drosophila embryo (fork head, brachyenteron and wingless) constitute a conserved constellation of genes that plays a required role in gastrulation and gut development.