Article
Biology
Alexandro Landshammer, Adriano Bolondi, Helene Kretzmer, Christian Much, Rene Buschow, Alina Rose, Hua-Jun Wu, Sebastian D. Mackowiak, Bjoern Braendl, Pay Giesselmann, Rosaria Tornisiello, Krishna Mohan Parsi, Jack Huey, Thorsten Mielke, David Meierhofer, Rene Maehr, Denes Hnisz, Franziska Michor, John L. Rinn, Alexander Meissner
Summary: In this study, a previously unannotated lncRNA, T-REX17, was discovered upstream of the SOX17 gene. It was found to be induced following SOX17 activation and its expression was specifically restricted to early definitive endoderm. Loss of T-REX17 affected important functions independent of SOX17 and resulted in an aberrant endodermal transcriptome, signaling pathway deregulation, and defects in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Consequently, cells lacking T-REX17 were unable to differentiate into more mature endodermal cell types. Overall, this study identified and characterized T-REX17 as a transiently expressed and essential non-coding regulator in early human endoderm differentiation.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Linh T. Trinh, Anna B. Osipovich, Bryan Liu, Shristi Shrestha, Jean-Philippe Cartailler, Christopher V. E. Wright, Mark A. Magnuson
Summary: During early embryogenesis, the transcription factor SOX17 plays a role in the formation of the hepato-pancreato-biliary system and vascular-hematopoietic emergence. Using a dual-color temporal lineage-tracing strategy combined with single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers analyzed cells from Sox17-expressing lineages and identified distinct cellular clusters from all 3 germ layers. Differential gene expression analysis revealed specialized subtypes of endothelial cells and subsets of hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary progenitors within the posterior foregut endoderm.
Article
Developmental Biology
Benoit Haerlingen, Robert Opitz, Isabelle Vandernoot, Angelo Molinaro, Meghna Parakkal Shankar, Pierre Gillotay, Achim Trubiroha, Sabine Costagliola
Summary: Thyroid tissue is derived from ventral pharyngeal endoderm and defects in morphogenesis are a main cause of congenital thyroid diseases. Recent studies have revealed the importance of FGF and BMP signaling in thyroid specification, but the relationship between signaling cues and thyroid transcription factors is still unclear. By analyzing zebrafish embryos, researchers identified a population of Pax2a-expressing thyroid progenitor cells that show enhanced FGF signaling but lack Nkx2.4b expression and BMP signaling. Manipulation of FGF/BMP activities suggests that FGF signaling mainly regulates Pax2a expression, while BMP signaling regulates both Pax2a and Nkx2.4b expression. Similar expression dynamics were observed in mouse embryos, indicating that this refined model of thyroid cell specification is evolutionarily conserved in mammals.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hubert R. Dinse
Summary: Compared to adults, children's learning process is different and more efficient. A recent study reveals that children experience a rapid increase in inhibition during learning, leading to better retention of learned information by reducing retrograde interference.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daniela M. Figiel, Randa Elsayed, Andrew C. Nelson
Summary: Research has shown that zebrafish and humans share a high degree of genetic homology in the endodermal organ system, making zebrafish an attractive model organism for studying endoderm development and disease. Advances in biological and technological methods offer the potential for enhanced analysis of endoderm formation, while integration with human data allows for modeling the relationship between non-coding sequence variants and human disease.
BRIEFINGS IN FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuyang Peng, Min Li, Yong Huang, Bo Cheng, Zigang Cao, Xinjun Liao, Guanghua Xiong, Fasheng Liu, Chengyu Hu, Huiqiang Lu
Summary: Exposure to bifenazate has immunotoxicity and oxidative stress effects on zebrafish larvae, affecting growth and development, decreasing immune cells, and inhibiting antioxidant activity. Astaxanthin can effectively alleviate this developmental toxicity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qipeng Shi, Huaran Yang, Yangli Chen, Na Zheng, Xiaoyu Li, Xianfeng Wang, Weikai Ding, Bangjun Zhang
Summary: The pesticide trichlorfon used in aquaculture was found to cause developmental neurotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. Trichlorfon exposure led to reduced survival rate, hatching rate, heartbeat, body length, and increased malformation rate in zebrafish larvae. The neurotoxic effects were attributed to the disruption of cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic signaling, as well as the development of the central nervous system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jong-Su Park, Palas Samanta, Sangwoo Lee, Jieon Lee, Jae-Woo Cho, Hang-Suk Chun, Seokjoo Yoon, Woo-Keun Kim
Summary: Acrylamide induces neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity in zebrafish, leading to various developmental abnormalities and impaired locomotor behavior. The zebrafish model offers a rapid and cost-efficient approach to studying acrylamide neurotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Yang, Ping Deng, Dan Xing, Haoling Liu, Fang Shi, Lian Hu, Xi Zou, Hongyan Nie, Junli Zuo, Zimeng Zhuang, Meiqi Pan, Juan Chen, Guangyu Li
Summary: The fungicide difenoconazole was found to affect the development of the nervous system in zebrafish embryos, leading to inhibitory effects on heart rate and body length, increased malformation rate, and decreased locomotor activity. Difenoconazole treatment also significantly reduced dopamine and acetylcholine levels, while increasing acetylcholinesterase activity. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in neurodevelopment was significantly altered.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Menglan Su, Rongkai Bao, Yaqing Wu, Bo Gao, Peng Xiao, Wenhua Li
Summary: The developmental toxicity and hepatotoxicity of diafenthiuron in zebrafish were investigated in this study. Results showed that diafenthiuron exposure significantly shortened the body lengths of zebrafish larvae and decreased superoxide dismutase activity. It also downregulated the spatiotemporal expression of pituitary development marker genes and liver-specific marker genes. These findings provide evidence of the detrimental effects of diafenthiuron on aquatic organisms and are important for environmental risk assessment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingxia Jin, Yuqing Hu, Yuqi Gao, Jiayi Zheng, Jun Chen, Ce Gao, Jinrong Peng
Summary: Genetic studies in zebrafish demonstrate that simultaneous loss-of-function of Hhex and Prox1a genes blocks hepatic differentiation from prospective hepatoblasts, resulting in a liverless phenotype.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoxi Yang, Jiefeng Liang, Qi Wu, Min Li, Wanyu Shan, Li Zeng, Linlin Yao, Yong Liang, Chang Wang, Jie Gao, Yingying Guo, Yaquan Liu, Rui Liu, Qian Luo, Qunfang Zhou, Guangbo Qu, Guibin Jiang
Summary: The study demonstrates that few-layered BP can have developmental toxicity towards zebrafish, leading to heart deformities and circulatory system failure. Analysis using transgenic zebrafish larvae shows cardiovascular defects after BP exposure, and transcriptomic analysis indicates disruption in genes associated with various processes and pathways even at lower concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Isabella Loughland, Alexander Little, Frank Seebacher
Summary: The study reveals that DNMT3a plays a key role in regulating developmental thermal plasticity, and the phenotypic effects of different DNMT3a isoforms are additive. However, DNMT3a interacts with other mechanisms, such as histone (de)acetylation, induced during short-term acclimation to buffer phenotypes from environmental change. These interactions make phenotypic compensation for climate change more efficient.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zuo Wang, Kemin Li, Yanyi Xu, Zan Song, Xianyong Lan, Chuanying Pan, Shengxiang Zhang, Nicholas S. Foulkes, Haiyu Zhao
Summary: Nickel (Ni) is a widely used heavy metal that can cause environmental pollution and health hazards. The neurotoxic effects induced by exposure to environmentally relevant levels of Ni in zebrafish larvae are closely related to ferroptosis, a form of iron-mediated cell death. The activation of the ferroptosis pathway and iron dyshomeostasis are implicated in these Ni-induced neurotoxic effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew R. Hawkins, Rebecca A. Wingert
Summary: Retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, plays a significant role in development, influencing differentiation, patterning, and organogenesis. The conservation of RA and its pathways from zebrafish to humans makes zebrafish a valuable translational model for investigating the functions of RA and associated diseases. This review explores both foundational and recent studies using zebrafish to understand RA at the molecular and organismal level.
Article
Developmental Biology
Alberto Bertozzi, Chi-Chung Wu, Stefan Hans, Michael Brand, Gilbert Weidinger
Summary: The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is shown to play a positive role in heart regeneration in zebrafish, promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation, dedifferentiation, and scar maturation. Contrary to previous reports, this new study supports the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the regeneration process.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jason W. Miklas, Shiri Levy, Peter Hofsteen, Diego Ic Mex, Elisa Clark, Jeanot Muster, Aaron M. Robitaille, Gargi Sivaram, Lauren Abell, Jamie M. Goodson, Inez Pranoto, Anup Madan, Michael T. Chin, Rong Tian, Charles E. Murry, Randall T. Moon, Yuliang Wang, Hannele Ruohola-Baker
Summary: The ability of zebrafish and neonatal mouse myocardial cells to regenerate the heart through dedifferentiation and proliferation is explored. The study demonstrates a unique metabolic state and mitochondrial changes that contribute to this regenerative capability.
Article
Developmental Biology
Baptiste Coxam, Russell T. Collins, Melina Hussmann, Yvonne Huisman, Katja Meier, Simone Jung, Eireen Bartels-Klein, Anna Szymborska, Lise Finotto, Christian S. M. Helker, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Stefan Schulte-Merker, Holger Gerhardt
Summary: This study identifies blood flow and the extracellular protein Svep1 as co-modulators of blood vessel anastomosis in zebrafish embryos. Loss of Svep1 and reduction of blood flow both contribute to defective vessel anastomosis. The study also suggests that the Vegfa/Vegfr signaling pathway plays a role in the formation and lumenisation of blood vessels.
Article
Cell Biology
Michelle America, Naguissa Bostaille, Marie Eubelen, Maud Martin, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Benoit Vanhollebeke
Summary: This study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between Gpr124 and Frizzled in zebrafish and mammals, and provides insights into the evolution of Gpr124/Reck function in vertebrates.
Article
Biology
Yu Hsuan Carol Yang, Linford J. B. Briant, Christopher A. Raab, Sri Teja Mullapudi, Hans-Martin Maischein, Koichi Kawakami, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: This study established an in vivo imaging model to investigate the modulation of pancreatic endocrine cell activity by autonomic innervation. The results demonstrate the crucial role of innervation in maintaining cellular connectivity and function in pancreatic islets.
Article
Biology
Jialing Qi, Annegret Rittershaus, Rashmi Priya, Shivani Mansingh, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Christian S. M. Helker, Victoria L. Bautch
Summary: This study reveals that endocardial cells interact with cardiomyocytes through dynamic membrane protrusions, which is essential for trabeculation. Loss of Apelin signaling, a peptide derived from cardiomyocytes, or its receptor in endocardial cells leads to reduced endocardial sprouting and hypotrabeculation.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivonne M. Sehring, Gilbert Weidinger
Summary: The development of vertebrate limbs and fins requires tissue growth directed away from the body. This study reveals the involvement of the Slit-Robo pathway, known for its function in axon guidance, in regulating the polarity of developing zebrafish fins. The study highlights an intricate signaling feedback between mesenchyme and the apical ectodermal ridge.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bo Hu, Sara Lelek, Bastiaan Spanjaard, Hadil El-Sammak, Mariana Guedes Simoes, Janita Mintcheva, Hananeh Aliee, Ronny Schaefer, Alexander M. Meyer, Fabian Theis, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Daniela Panakova, Jan Philipp Junker
Summary: This study identifies specialized activated fibroblast cell states in the regenerating zebrafish heart using single-cell transcriptomics and spatiotemporal analysis, and reveals the origin of these cell states and the regulatory mechanism of endocardial fibroblast response.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyun-Taek Kim, Paolo Panza, Khrievono Kikhi, Yuko Nakamichi, Ann Atzberger, Stefan Guenther, Clemens Ruppert, Andreas Guenther, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: This study reveals that WNT/RYK signaling plays a regulatory role in lung diseases and highlights the anti-inflammatory modulation of RYK signaling in lung development and homeostasis. These findings provide an animal model for further investigation of the etiology and therapeutic approaches to inflammatory lung diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ivonne Sehring, Hossein Falah Mohammadi, Melanie Haffner-Luntzer, Anita Ignatius, Markus Huber-Lang, Gilbert Weidinger
Summary: Successful regeneration in amputated zebrafish fins involves coordinated execution of multiple cellular responses. Osteoblast migration is preceded by cell elongation and alignment, regulated by actomyosin dynamics. Osteoblast dedifferentiation and migration can be uncoupled, with NF-kappa B and retinoic acid signaling regulating dedifferentiation, and the complement system and actomyosin dynamics affecting migration. Additionally, osteoblasts dedifferentiate and migrate to both injury sites, but regenerative bone formation only occurs at the distal-facing injury.
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia L. M. Boezio, Shengnan Zhao, Josephine Gollin, Rashmi Priya, Shivani Mansingh, Stefan Guenther, Nana Fukuda, Felix Gunawan, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: The epicardium, the outermost layer of the heart, plays an important role in regulating cardiac regeneration. This study investigated the interaction between the epicardium and myocardium during development by creating three models of epicardial impairment in zebrafish. The results showed that the epicardium is required for cardiomyocyte growth during early cardiac morphogenesis and identified FGF and VEGF signaling pathways as important regulators of ventricular growth.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenny Mattonet, Frederike W. Riemslagh, Stefan Guenther, Karin D. Prummel, Gokul Kesavan, Stefan Hans, Ingo Ebersberger, Michael Brand, Alexa Burger, Sven Reischauer, Christian Mosimann, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: This study reveals that Npas4l/Tal1/Lmo2 play a role in the fate decision between the endothelial and pronephron lineages. Npas4l induces the expression of the transcription factor genes etsrp, tall, and Imo2, which are crucial for endothelial specification.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Juan, Agatha Ribeiro da Silva, Barbara Cardoso, SoEun Lim, Violette Charteau, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: Cardiac valves play a vital role in ensuring unidirectional blood flow through the heart. Researchers have identified several mechanosensory genes as key regulators of valve development, expanding our understanding of this process.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Melina Hussmann, Dorte Schulte, Sarah Weischer, Claudia Carlantoni, Hiroyuki Nakajima, Naoki Mochizuki, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Thomas Zobel, Manuel Koch, Stefan Schulte-Merker, Victoria L. Bautch
Summary: This study reveals the critical roles of Svep1 and Tie1 in the development of specific subpopulations of the zebrafish facial lymphatic network. It also shows that this aspect of the network is formed independently of Vegfc signaling. The findings demonstrate the importance of Tie1 signaling in lymphangiogenesis and blood vessel development in zebrafish.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jordan M. Welker, Vahan Serobyan, Elhamalsadat Zaker Esfahani, Didier Y. R. Stainier
Summary: Transcriptional adaptation (TA) is a mechanism that modulates gene expression in response to mutations in mRNA. Researchers found a 25-base pair element in the regulatory region of the adapting gene that showed similarity to a sequence in the mutant mRNA. This element can induce ectopic expression of a fluorescent reporter gene, indicating its importance in TA.