Article
Cell Biology
Nian Wu, Yingshi Li, Xiangyue He, Jiayi Lin, Denglu Long, Xin Cheng, Beate Brand-Saberi, Guang Wang, Xuesong Yang
Summary: Excessive caffeine intake affects chest wall deformities in developing chicken embryos and reduces mRNA expressions of genes involved in myogenesis. Caffeine exposure suppresses somitogenesis by interfering with crucial genes modulating apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation of myogenic progenitors in differentiating somites. Additionally, excess retinoic acid levels, possibly induced by caffeine, play a role in these phenotypes, highlighting the negative impact of caffeine on myogenic progenitor development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Carolina Guibentif, Jonathan A. Griffiths, Ivan Imaz-Rosshandler, Shila Ghazanfar, Jennifer Nichols, Valerie Wilson, Berthold Gottgens, John C. Marioni
Summary: Somite formation is essential for the development of vertebrate body plan, involving three transcriptional trajectories in the early mouse embryo. Anterior somites ingress through the primitive streak before E7, while neuromesodermal progenitors are reserved for later somitogenesis. The role of T in somite development and the potential regulators of early T-independent somites are investigated, challenging the T-Sox2 antagonism model in early NMPs.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Simona Gribaudo, Remi Robert, Bjorn van Sambeek, Camil Mirdass, Anna Lyubimova, Kamal Bouhali, Julien Ferent, Xavier Morin, Alexander van Oudenaarden, Stephane Nedelec
Summary: This study reports the generation of human trunk-like structures in vitro that mimic the co-development and differentiation processes of the human spine and spinal cord. The model exhibits the formation of a patterned neural tube and somites, providing insights for the development of more complex organogenesis models.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shujie Xu, Xiangyue He, Junzhu Shi, Ziguang Li, Jinhuan Song, Jingyun Wang, Guang Wang, Beate Brand-Saberi, Xin Cheng, Xuesong Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates that exposure to 10(-6) M Dex can lead to abnormal myogenesis in chicken embryos, mainly due to aberrant cell proliferation and changes in gene expression related to somite formation and differentiation. RNA sequencing revealed significant differential gene expressions in regulating myofibril development and systemic development, as well as dramatic alterations in retinoic acid (RA) signaling during somite development in chicken embryos exposed to Dex. Further experiments confirmed that Dex treatment affects RA signaling and is principally mediated by FGF-ERK signaling.
Article
Biology
Michele Romanos, Guillaume Allio, Myriam Roussigne, Lea Combres, Nathalie Escalas, Cathy Soula, Francois Medevielle, Benjamin Steventon, Ariane Trescases, Bertrand Benazeraf
Summary: The study reveals that cell-to-cell heterogeneity in gene expression levels of Sox2 and Bra in progenitors plays a crucial role in guiding cell motility and tissue integration, with Sox2/Bra ratio influencing whether cells stay in the progenitor zone or exit to integrate neural or mesodermal tissues. Mathematical modeling suggests that randomness in Sox2/Bra cell-to-cell distribution favors cell rearrangements and tissue shape conservation during this process.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mohammed R. Shaker, Ju-Hyun Lee, Kyung Hyun Kim, Saeli Ban, Veronica Jihyun Kim, Joo Yeon Kim, Ji Yeoun Lee, Woong Sun
Summary: NMP progenitors initially located at the tail tip in mouse development, later found in the caudal neural tube, gradually contributing to the spinal cord during axial elongation. The derived NPCs preferentially contributed to the ventral side at the lumbar spinal cord level first, followed by the dorsal side.
Article
Neurosciences
Stephane Nedelec, Alfonso Martinez-Arias
Summary: Knowledge from developmental biologists has supported the development of strategies to generate spinal neuronal diversity from pluripotent stem cells. These approaches have the potential to advance our understanding of neuronal diversification and the formation of neural circuits in both mice and humans, offering new opportunities for disease modeling and drug screenings in neuromuscular disorders.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Chaofan Xing, Rongrong Pan, Guangwei Hu, Xian Liu, Yiquan Wang, Guang Li
Summary: The Pitx gene plays a critical role in asymmetric organogenesis in amphioxus, influencing the development of left-side and right-side organs. Enhanced Pitx activity leads to induction of left-side organs and inhibition of right-side organs, providing insights into the molecular developmental mechanism of vertebrate LR organs.
Review
Developmental Biology
Filip J. Wymeersch, Valerie Wilson, Anestis Tsakiridis
Summary: The generation of components of the embryonic body axis occurs in an anterior-to-posterior direction, driven by the production of various cell types from axial progenitors. Recent research focuses on the in vitro production of neuromesodermal progenitors and their potential implications in disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luca Mariani, Xiaogang Guo, Niels Alvaro Menezes, Anna Maria Drozd, Selgin Deniz Cakal, Qinhu Wang, Elisabetta Ferretti
Summary: Researchers demonstrate that the TALE/HOX activity can destabilize nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions to activate paraxial mesodermal genes. Cells interpret WNT signals by establishing a permissive chromatin environment at lineage-specific genes to trigger transcriptional responses to inductive signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Robert Blassberg, Harshil Patel, Thomas Watson, Mina Gouti, Vicki Metzis, M. Joaquina Delas, James Briscoe
Summary: This study reveals that the level of transcription factor SOX2 determines the chromatin occupancy of TCF/β-catenin, thus regulating the cell fate and gene expression during embryonic development.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Susannah B. P. McLaren, Benjamin J. Steventon
Summary: The internal pressure of the notochord increases its elongation and stiffening, playing a key role in elongating the somitic compartment. Anterior expansion generates a force that displaces notochord cells posteriorly, contributing to the elongation of segmented tissue during posttailbud stages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Lung Lin, Chin-Wen Wei, Thomas A. Lerdall, Jennifer Nhieu, Li-Na Wei
Summary: This study demonstrates that Crabp1 regulates feedback inhibition of the HPA axis by modulating FKBP5 expression. Furthermore, RA and stress can increase Crabp1 levels, which in turn up-regulates FKBP5 thereby decreasing GR signaling sensitivity and increasing the risk of stress-related disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yeon-Woo Cho, Seohyeon Jee, Intan Rosalina Suhito, Jeong-Hyeon Lee, Chun Gwon Park, Kyung Min Choi, Tae-Hyung Kim
Summary: This study reports a new platform called SMENA, which enables efficient generation of neuronal cells using single metal-organic framework nanoparticles embedded in nanopit arrays. The platform allows for long-term storage and release of retinoic acid, leading to enhanced mRNA expressions of neurogenesis-related activities in neural stem cells.
Editorial Material
Biology
J. Christian Althaus, Michael A. Sutton
Summary: All-trans retinoic acid induces synaptic plasticity in human cortical circuits by engaging the spine apparatus, leading to structural and functional changes at synapses.
Letter
Genetics & Heredity
Gregg Duester
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2019)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fei Zhu, Remya R. Nair, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher, Thomas J. Cunningham
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Developmental Biology
Norbert B. Ghyselinck, Gregg Duester
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Remya R. Nair, Silvia Corrochano, Samanta Gasco, Charlotte Tibbit, David Thompson, Cheryl Maduro, Zeinab Ali, Pietro Fratta, Abraham Acevedo Arozena, Thomas J. Cunningham, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Sala, Thomas J. Cunningham, Michael J. Stec, Usue Etxaniz, Chiara Nicoletti, Alessandra Dall'Agnese, Pier Lorenzo Puri, Gregg Duester, Lucia Latella, Alessandra Sacco
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kazuya Ono, James Keller, Omar Lopez Ramirez, Antonia Gonzalez Garrido, Omid A. Zobeiri, Hui Ho Vanessa Chang, Sarath Vijayakumar, Andrianna Ayiotis, Gregg Duester, Charles C. Della Santina, Sherri M. Jones, Kathleen E. Cullen, Ruth Anne Eatock, Doris K. Wu
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Berenguer, Karolin F. Meyer, Jun Yin, Gregg Duester
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Remya R. Nair, Charlotte Tibbit, David Thompson, Ross McLeod, Asif Nakhuda, Michelle M. Simon, Robert H. Baloh, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher, Adrian M. Isaacs, Thomas J. Cunningham
Summary: This study reports efforts to clone a large hexanucleotide repeat in the C9orf72 gene, derived from a BAC construct in a C9orf72-ALS patient. Detailed methods for efficient repeat sizing and growth conditions in bacteria are provided. Sub-cloning into a linear vector significantly improves stability, depending on the relative orientation of DNA replication through the repeat.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Berenguer, Gregg Duester
Summary: The role of retinoic acid (RA) and Meis1/2 in limb development is complex, with RA activating Meis1/2 in the proximal limb bud mesoderm while FGF8 represses Meis1/2 in the distal limb to generate proximodistal patterning.
Article
Biology
Maria Giovanna Garone, Nicol Birsa, Maria Rosito, Federico Salaris, Michela Mochi, Valeria de Turris, Remya R. Nair, Thomas J. Cunningham, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher, Mariangela Morlando, Pietro Fratta, Alessandro Rosa
Summary: The study found that mutations in the FUS gene are associated with ALS, affecting the activity of two RBPs related to neuronal RNA metabolism. Mutant FUS increases HuD protein levels by competing with FMRP for HuD mRNA binding, leading to excessive stability of its target gene transcript levels. Mutant FUS motoneurons exhibit increased axon branching and growth, potentially representing early events in ALS pathogenesis.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Gregg Duester
Summary: Retinoic acid (RA) plays a crucial role in vertebrate eye development by controlling the transcriptional activity of RA receptors (RARs). It stimulates the folding of the optic vesicle to form the optic cup and is required for further morphogenesis of the optic cup and surrounding mesenchyme.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anny Devoy, Georgia Price, Francesca De Giorgio, Rosie Bunton-Stasyshyn, David Thompson, Samanta Gasco, Alasdair Allan, Gemma F. Codner, Remya R. Nair, Charlotte Tibbit, Ross McLeod, Zeinab Ali, Judith Noda, Alessandro Marrero-Gagliardi, Jose M. Brito-Armas, Muhammet M. Ozturk, Michelle Simon, Edward O'Neill, Sam Bryce-Smith, Jackie Harrison, Gemma Atkins, Silvia Corrochano, Michelle Stewart, Lydia Teboul, Abraham Acevedo-Arozena, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher, Thomas J. Cunningham
Summary: The study team has created next-generation genomically humanized knockin mouse models for improved understanding and therapeutic development of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia. Extensive analysis and characterization of humanized mice demonstrated their normal phenotype and potential for preclinical assessment and disease mechanism research.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marie Berenguer, Gregg Duester
Summary: Vitamin A (retinol) is a crucial nutrient for embryonic development and adult health. Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of retinol, controls gene expression directly through nuclear RA receptors (RARs) and is required for the normal development of various organs and tissues in early stages. Genetic loss-of-function studies have played an instrumental role in understanding the importance of RA signaling in normal early development.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Gregg Duester
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Developmental Biology
Cheng Shi, Pengfei Jiao, Zhiyi Chen, Lan Ma, Siyue Yao
Summary: This review discusses the molecular etiology of congenital craniofacial abnormalities, with a focus on the role and mechanism of noncoding RNAs in regulating craniofacial development. Aberrant expression of noncoding RNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of craniofacial abnormalities, providing potential therapeutic targets.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hideru Togashi, Steven Ray Davis, Makoto Sato
Summary: Tile patterns, regulated by cell adhesion molecules, are regular arrangements of cells that play important functional roles in multicellular organisms. The physical constraints and cell adhesion regulate both cell shape and tissue morphogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Armen Khanbabei, Lina Segura, Cynthia Petrossian, Aaron Lemus, Ithan Cano, Courtney Frazier, Armen Halajyan, Donnie Ca, Mariano Loza-Coll
Summary: This article investigates the genetic regulatory mechanisms of Drosophila intestinal stem cells. The study found that most target genes co-regulated by Esg and STAT show a consistent gene expression pattern. However, manipulating these validated targets in vivo rarely replicated the effects of manipulating Esg and STAT, suggesting the presence of complex genetic interactions among the downstream targets of these two master regulator genes.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Bayley J. Waters, Zoe R. Birman, Matthew R. Wagner, Julia Lemanski, Barak Blum
Summary: Researchers found that conditional deletion of Robo2 in adult mice led to a significant loss of islet architecture without affecting beta cell identity or function, suggesting that Robo2 plays a role in actively maintaining adult islet architecture. Understanding the factors required for islet architecture maintenance is crucial for developing future diabetes therapies.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Rhiannon Clements, Tyler Smith, Luke Cowart, Jennifer Zhumi, Alan Sherrod, Aidan Cahill, Ginger L. Hunter
Summary: Cell protrusions play a crucial role in regulating cell activities during development. By studying the regulation mechanism in fruit fly sensory bristle patterning, it was found that Myosin XV is essential for the dynamics of signaling filopodia and promotes long-range Notch signaling.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Margaret Keating, Ryan Hagle, Daniel Osorio-Mendez, Anjelica Rodriguez-Parks, Sarah I. Almutawa, Junsu Kang
Summary: Knock-in reporter (KI) animals are essential for studying gene expression in biomedical research. This study developed a new strategy using minicircle technology and a minimal promoter to enhance knock-in events and establish stable KI transgenic reporter lines. The study also highlighted the importance of selecting the proper KI line due to potential inappropriate influence of genome editing on reporter gene expression.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Christian Altbuerger, Meta Rath, Daniel Armbruster, Wolfgang Driever
Summary: This study reveals that Neurog1 and Olig2 transcription factors have differential requirements for the development of dopaminergic neurons, and they integrate local patterning signals and Notch neurogenic selection signaling to specify the progenitor population and initiate neurogenesis and differentiation.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)