Article
Cell Biology
Maria Isabella Negretti, Nina Boese, Natalia Petri, Stanislav Kremnyov, Nikoloz Tsikolia
Summary: The development of visceral left-right asymmetry in bilateria relies on initial symmetry breaking and subsequent molecular patterning. The expression of the transcription factor pitx2 on the left side is facilitated by the asymmetric expression of the nodal morphogen in the left lateral plate mesoderm. The mechanisms leading to the asymmetric nodal domain differ depending on the mode of symmetry breaking.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natalia Petri, Rhea Nordbrink, Nikoloz Tsikolia, Stanislav Kremnyov
Summary: Previously, it was believed that there is an early mechanism based on cytoskeletal processes in Xenopus embryos during the early cleavage stages, supported by evidence from chemical inhibition of cytoskeletal protein. However, further analysis revealed that the reported abnormalities only occur after treatment at gastrula-neurula stages, just prior to and during the operation of the left-right organizer. Therefore, these left-right abnormalities cannot be considered as evidence for the early symmetry breaking event in Xenopus embryos.
Article
Cell Biology
Yosuke Tanaka, Ai Morozumi, Nobutaka Hirokawa
Summary: Left-dominant [Ca2+]i elevation at the left margin of the ventral node plays a crucial role in determining the initial laterality of mouse embryos. This process is dependent on extracellular leftward fluid flow, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)/ sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, and the PKD1L1 polycystin subunit, although their interrelationships are not fully understood. By studying KikGR-PKD1L1 knockin mice, researchers have discovered that leftward nodal flow guides PKD1L1-containing fibrous strands and facilitates Nodal mediated [Ca2+]i elevation at the left margin. They propose that the leftward transfer of polycystin-containing fibrous strands determines the left-right asymmetry in developing embryos.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Pedro Sampaio, Sara Pestana, Catarina Bota, Adan Guerrero, Ivo A. Telley, David Smith, Susana Santos Lopes
Summary: Humans and other vertebrates establish left-right asymmetry during early embryo development. The mechanism behind this process is still not fully understood, but it involves symmetry breaking in the left-right organizer (LRO) through motile cilia-generated fluid flow. Recent experiments in zebrafish embryos revealed a specific time window and flow direction for breaking left-right symmetry. The embryos demonstrate a remarkable ability to recover and circulate new LRO fluid, indicating that fluid dynamics play a crucial role in symmetry breaking.
Article
Cell Biology
Melanie Tingler, Amelie Brugger, Kerstin Feistel, Axel Schweickert
Summary: This study reveals the role of Dmrt2 transcription factor in LRO ciliogenesis and sLRO cell specification in the formation of the vertebrate left-right axis, as well as its functional connection to somitogenesis and LR determination.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen M. M. Bellchambers, Amruta R. R. Phatak, Mardi J. J. Nenni, Maria B. B. Padua, Hongyu Gao, Yunlong Liu, Stephanie M. M. Ware
Summary: In this study, the transcriptome of the LRO in mice was defined using single cell RNA sequencing and fluorescent activated cell sorting. The analysis revealed genes associated with cilia and laterality, as well as 127 novel LRO genes. This resource will be valuable for future studies on LRO morphogenesis, laterality establishment, and genetic causes of heterotaxy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Christopher J. Derrick, Adrian Santos-Ledo, Lorraine Eley, Isabela Andhika Paramita, Deborah J. Henderson, Bill Chaudhry
Summary: The establishment of left-right axis is crucial for the placement, morphogenesis, and function of internal organs. Cilia-driven fluid flow in the embryonic node is proposed to be dependent on left-right specification. The JNK gene family plays an important role in the development and function of the zebrafish node, determining the length of nodal cilia, generating flow in the node, and restricting southpaw to the left lateral plate mesoderm.
Review
Cell Biology
Rosie B. Little, Dominic P. Norris
Summary: The initial breaking of left-right symmetry in the embryo is controlled by motile cilia-driven leftward fluid flow in the left-right organiser (LRO), resulting in L-R asymmetric gene expression. The activation of the Nodal-Pitx2 pathway is only on the left side in more lateral tissues. The events in the Lateral Plate Mesoderm (LPM) are conserved through the vertebrate lineage.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tae Seen Kang, Bum Jun Kim, Ki Yup Nam, Seongjin Lee, Kyonghoon Kim, Woong-sub Lee, Jinhyun Kim, Yong Soep Han
Summary: In this study, we analyzed the ability of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to discriminate between right and left fundus images. Through the use of fundus photograph datasets and augmentation techniques, we found that CNNs accurately identified right and left fundus images, with the depth and complexity of the CNN affecting accuracy. Additionally, we discovered that the flipping method used for data augmentation in fundus photographs may introduce undesired bias.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Abdull J. Massri, Laura Greenstreet, Anton Afanassiev, Alejandro Berrio, Gregory A. Wray, Geoffrey Schiebinger, David R. McClay
Summary: By using scRNA-seq and computational methods, researchers studied the transcriptional changes in cell states of sea urchin embryos from development to larval stage. They found that skeletogenic and primordial germ cell trajectories diverged early, and ectodermal progenitors were distinct from other lineages by the 6th cleavage. Endomesoderm cells originated at the 6th cleavage and diverged into endoderm and mesoderm fates asynchronously.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julyan H. E. Cartwright
Summary: This article explores whether nature uses quantum mechanics in cilia to enhance the sensitivity of the mechanism of left-right symmetry breaking during development in vertebrates. The author evaluates whether mechanosensing, or the detection of a left-right asymmetric signal through mechanical stimulation of sensory cilia rather than biochemical signaling, may be functioning through quantum mechanics in the embryonic left-right organizer of the vertebrate bodyplan. They conclude that quantum biology may have a potential role in mechanosensing in cilia. The system may be limited by quantum noise rather than classical thermal noise, and an amplification process could provide active cooling.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. I. Bertucci, A. Juez, J. Bellas
Summary: The combined effects of ocean acidification and microplastic pollution on the early development of Paracentrotus lividus were studied. The results showed that both ocean acidification and microplastics can alter the growth and morphology of the embryo, with observed differences in morphology related to decreased width of larvae. The changes in larvae shape could affect their buoyancy and ability to obtain and ingest food.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Abramenko, Marina Semenova, Alexander Khina, Pavel Zherebin, Yurii Krutyakov, Evgeny Krysanov, Leonid Kustov
Summary: Surface modification of nanoparticles with different stabilizers is commonly used to enhance their stability and applicability. Silver nanoparticle dispersions with biologically active stabilizers show potential as plant protection products, improving crop growth, yield, and protection. However, these stabilizers exhibit toxic effects on sea urchin embryos, with silver ions being more toxic than the nanoparticles themselves.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura DeMiguel-Jimenez, Nestor Etxebarria, Helena C. Reinardy, Xabier Lekube, Ionan Marigomez, Urtzi Izagirre
Summary: The study utilized sea-urchin embryos as test-organisms and applied a multi-index approach to investigate the toxic effects of different oils in the environment. The findings suggest that under ice weathering resulted in lowered waterborne PAHs and genotoxicity but augmented embryo toxicity.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sundar R. Naganathan, Marko Popovic, Andrew C. Oates
Summary: The body axis of vertebrate embryos is segmented into bilaterally symmetric pairs of somites. In zebrafish embryos, the initial lengths and positions of somites are imprecise, leading to left-right asymmetry. However, these asymmetries are adjusted within an hour after somite formation through changes in somite shape, increasing morphological symmetry. This adjustment mechanism is facilitated by somite surface tension and is not affected by perturbations to the segmentation clock.
Letter
Hematology
Yoko Nishinaka-Arai, Akira Niwa, Shiori Matsuo, Yasuhiro Kazuki, Yuwna Yakura, Takehiko Hiroma, Tsutomu Toki, Tetsushi Sakuma, Takashi Yamamoto, Etsuro Ito, Mitsuo Oshimura, Tatsutoshi Nakahata, Megumu K. Saito
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kenshi Watanabe, Charose Marie Ting Perez, Tomoki Kitahori, Kosuke Hata, Masato Aoi, Hirokazu Takahashi, Tetsushi Sakuma, Yoshiko Okamura, Yutaka Nakashimada, Takashi Yamamoto, Keisuke Matsuyama, Shinzo Mayuzumi, Tsunehiro Aki
Summary: Efficiency of specific gene knock-in by homologous recombination was significantly increased by over 10 times through combining the CRISPR-Cas9 system in Aurantiochytrium strains. Genome edited strains with higher fatty acid productivity were isolated by disrupting genes associated with beta-oxidation, demonstrating the effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas9 for molecular breeding in Aurantiochytrium species to improve lipid productivity.
JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ji Min Lee, Ukjin Kim, Hyokyung Yang, Bokyeong Ryu, Jin Kim, Tetsushi Sakuma, Takashi Yamamoto, Jae-Hak Park
Summary: Recent advancements in gene editing using TALENs have facilitated the creation of genetically engineered animal models. The Nkx3.1 knockout rat model was successfully generated, revealing reduced fertility, decreased prostate weights, increased epithelial cell layers, elevated mRNA expression of genes linked to prostate carcinogenesis, and a propensity for malignant breast tumors. This model serves as a valuable tool for studying the impact of NKX3.1 deficiency on prostate health, fertility, and breast cancer development.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Minami Ezawa, Fumika Kouno, Hideo Kubo, Tetsushi Sakuma, Takashi Yamamoto, Tsutomu Kinoshita
Summary: In Xenopus development, Pou5f3.3 plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining hematopoietic progenitor cells, contributing to the regulation of peripheral blood cell homeostasis. Transplantation experiments demonstrate the migration of Pou5f3.3-positive cells from the hematopoietic dorsal-lateral plate to the liver and bone through the bloodstream, highlighting its significance in hematopoiesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keita Tomioka, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Silvia Natsuko Akutsu, Hiromi Yanagihara, Kazumasa Fujita, Ekaterina Royba, Hiroshi Tauchi, Takashi Yamamoto, Iemasa Koh, Eiji Hirata, Yoshiki Kudo, Masao Kobayashi, Satoshi Okada, Shinya Matsuura
Summary: Genetic information is protected against genotoxins such as ionizing radiation through DNA double-strand break repair. Studies suggest that variants in DNA repair genes may affect individual differences in chromosomal radiosensitivity. The NBS1 I171V variant was found in a Japanese ovarian cancer patient and may contribute to increased radiosensitivity, as seen in experiments with knock-in HCT116 cells and MEFs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kaichi Watanabe, Yuhei Yasui, Yuta Kurose, Masashi Fujii, Takashi Yamamoto, Naoaki Sakamoto, Akinori Awazu
Summary: This study investigated the process of gastrulation in sea urchin embryos and found that omeprazole may induce partial exogastrulation by disrupting the apical-basal polarity of F-actin distribution.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Silvia Natsuko Akutsu, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Daiju Oba, Keita Tomioka, Hiroshi Ochiai, Hirofumi Ohashi, Shinya Matsuura
Summary: Trisomy 21, 18, and 13 are major autosomal aneuploidy disorders in humans, usually caused by chromosome non-disjunction in maternal meiosis. Chromosome therapy has been developed to correct the extra chromosome, and during reprogramming into iPSCs, it was found that fibroblasts from a Down syndrome patient lost the extra chromosome 21. In this study, the researchers reprogrammed skin fibroblasts from patients with various trisomy syndromes and found that the cells spontaneously corrected from trisomy to disomy, suggesting that trisomy rescue may involve random loss of the extra chromosome. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of autonomous karyotype correction and for future research on aneuploidy disorders.
Article
Oncology
Ying Zhang, Qian Lu, Nan Li, Ming Xu, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Jing Liu
Summary: Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural compound derived from broccoli, has been found to significantly inhibit migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by affecting cytoskeleton formation. SFN can also directly bind to RAF family proteins and inhibit phosphorylation of the signaling pathway. These findings suggest that SFN has the potential to be used as a therapeutic drug to inhibit breast cancer cell metastasis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takao Kitagawa, Daiki Kobayashi, Byron Baron, Hajime Okita, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Rie Takai, Durga Paudel, Tohru Ohta, Yoichi Asaoka, Masayuki Tokunaga, Koji Nakagawa, Makoto Furutani-Seiki, Norie Araki, Yasuhiro Kuramitsu, Masanobu Kobayashi
Summary: It has been discovered that AHDC1 is a proximal protein of EWS-ETS fusion proteins and supports cell growth through interaction with EWS-FLI1. Knockdown of AHDC1 reduces cell growth and transcriptional activity of EWS-FLI1, as well as the levels of interacting proteins BRD4 and BRG1.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kodai Kume, Takashi Kurashige, Keiko Muguruma, Hiroyuki Morino, Yui Tada, Mai Kikumoto, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Silvia Natsuko Akutsu, Yukiko Matsuda, Shinya Matsuura, Masahiro Nakamori, Ayumi Nishiyama, Rumiko Izumi, Tetsuya Niihori, Masashi Ogasawara, Nobuyuki Eura, Tamaki Kato, Mamoru Yokomura, Yoshiaki Nakayama, Hidefumi Ito, Masataka Nakamura, Kayoko Saito, Yuichi Riku, Yasushi Iwasaki, Hirofumi Maruyama, Yoko Aoki, Ichizo Nishino, Yuishin Izumi, Masashi Aoki, Hideshi Kawakami
Summary: In this study, it was found that repeat expansion in LRP12 causes both ALS and OPDM, with the length of the repeat determining the specific phenotype. The presence of phosphorylated TDP-43 in iPS cell-derived motor neurons in LRP12-ALS replicated the pathological hallmark of ALS. Additionally, distinct differences in RNA foci and Muscleblind-like 1 aggregates were observed between LRP12-ALS and LRP12-OPDM.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Sima Jonusaite, Nathalie Oulhen, Yasushi Izumi, Mikio Furuse, Takashi Yamamoto, Naoaki Sakamoto, Gary Wessel, Andreas Heyland
Summary: In this study, the cell-specific expression of nine candidate septate junction (SJ) genes in the early life stages of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus was investigated. It was found that different cohorts of SJ genes were expressed in different epithelia during embryonic and larval development. Specifically, a gene called SpMesh was highly enriched in the endodermal epithelium of the mid- and hindgut. Functional analysis revealed that loss of SpMesh disrupted the integrity of the gut-paracellular barrier. These findings provide insights into the molecular physiology of SJ during the development of marine organisms and suggest a shared role for Mesh-homologous proteins in forming intestinal barriers in invertebrates.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tomoki Takashina, Akihiro Matsunaga, Yukiko Shimizu, Tetsushi Sakuma, Tadashi Okamura, Kunie Matsuoka, Takashi Yamamoto, Yukihito Ishizaka
Summary: A protein-based artificial transcription system was developed to engineer hepatocyte-like cells from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The engineered cells exhibited functional and molecular characteristics similar to hepatocytes, and significantly improved the survival rate in mice with hepatic failure. This transcription system could serve as a versatile tool for cell therapy for hepatic failures.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuki Kobayashi, Sakura Tomoshige, Kosuke Imakado, Yuko Sekino, Noriko Koganezawa, Tomoaki Shirao, Giovanne B. Diniz, Tatsuo Miyamoto, Yumiko Saito
Summary: The primary cilium is a sensory organelle involved in signaling cascades, with the MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) playing a key role in cilia length regulation. Transcriptome analysis revealed PDLIM5 as a critical factor in MCHR1-mediated cilia shortening, acting through the alpha-actinin 1/4 pathway. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of cilia length control and potential implications for obesity and mood disorders.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yuki Numakura, Risa Uemura, Miyuu Tanaka, Takeshi Izawa, Jyoji Yamate, Takashi Kuramoto, Takehito Kaneko, Tomoji Mashimo, Takashi Yamamoto, Tadao Serikawa, Mitsuru Kuwamura
Summary: The study reveals that the PHF24 protein in Noda epileptic rats is widely expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in specific regions of the olfactory bulb and spinal cord. These cells co-express with inhibitory interneuron markers and play a role in modulating GABA(B) signaling.
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
(2021)
