| 1. |
- Gouignard, Nadège, et al.
(författare)
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Gene expression of the two developmentally regulated dermatan sulfate epimerases in the Xenopus embryo
- 2018
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycans are abundant on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix and have important functions in matrix structure, cell-matrix interaction and signaling. The DS epimerases 1 and 2, encoded by Dse and Dsel, respectively, convert CS to a CS/DS hybrid chain, which is structurally and conformationally richer than CS, favouring interaction with matrix proteins and growth factors. We recently showed that Xenopus Dse is essential for the migration of neural crest cells by allowing cell surface CS/DS proteoglycans to adhere to fibronectin. Here we investigate the expression of Dse and Dsel in Xenopus embryos. We show that both genes are maternally expressed and exhibit partially overlapping activity in the eyes, brain, trigeminal ganglia, neural crest, adenohypophysis, sclerotome, and dorsal endoderm. Dse is specifically expressed in the epidermis, anterior surface ectoderm, spinal nerves, notochord and dermatome, whereas Dsel mRNA alone is transcribed in the spinal cord, epibranchial ganglia, prechordal mesendoderm and myotome. The expression of the two genes coincides with sites of cell differentiation in the epidermis and neural tissue. Several expression domains can be linked to previously reported phenotypes of knockout mice and clinical manifestations, such as the Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and psychiatric disorders.
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| 2. |
- Gouignard, Nadège, et al.
(författare)
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Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and neurocristopathies : Dermatan sulfate is required for Xenopus neural crest cells to migrate and adhere to fibronectin
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 9:6, s. 607-620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Of all live births with congenital anomalies, approximately one-third exhibit deformities ofthe head and face. Most craniofacial disorders are associated with defects in a migratory stem and progenitor cell population, which is designated the neural crest (NC). Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (MCEDS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder with distinct craniofacial features; this syndrome comprises multiple congenital malformations that are caused bydysfunction ofdermatan sulfate (DS) biosynthetic enzymes, including DS epimerase-1 (DS-epi1; also known as DSE). Studies in mice have extended our understanding of DS-epi1 inconnective tissue maintenance; however, its role in fetal development is not understood. We demonstrate that DS-epi1isimportant for the generationofisolated iduronic acid residues in chondroitin sulfate (CS)/DS proteoglycans in early Xenopus embryos. The knockdown of DS-epi1 does not affect the formation of early NC progenitors; however, it impairs the correct activation of transcription factors involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reduces the extent of NC cell migration, which leads to a decrease in NC-derived craniofacial skeleton, melanocytes and dorsal fin structures. Transplantation experiments demonstrate a tissue-autonomous role for DS-epi1 in cranial NC cell migration in vivo. Cranial NC explant and single-cell cultures indicate a requirement of DS-epi1 in cell adhesion, spreading and extension of polarized cell processes on fibronectin. Thus, our work indicates a functional link between DS and NC cell migration. We conclude that NC defects in the EMT and cell migration might account for the craniofacial anomalies and other congenital malformations in MCEDS, which might facilitate the diagnosis and development of therapies for this distressing condition. Moreover, the presented correlations between human DS-epi1 expression and gene sets of mesenchymal character, invasion and metastasis in neuroblastoma and malignant melanoma suggest an association between DS and NC-derived cancers.
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| 3. |
- Gustafsson, Renata, et al.
(författare)
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Expression of the novel gene Ened during mouse and Xenopus embryonic development.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Developmental Biology. - : UPV/EHU Press. - 1696-3547 .- 0214-6282. ; 52:8, s. 1119-1122
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have recently identified 1110032E23Rik as a down-regulated target gene in Fgf receptor-signalling-deficient mouse embryoid bodies. Here, we present the expression pattern of this novel gene, designated Ened (Expressed in Nerve and Epithelium during Development), in mouse and Xenopus laevis embryos. Murine Ened transcripts were first seen at E9.5 in the heart and the gastrointestinal tract. At later stages of gestation, expression could be found in the floor plate, peripheral nervous system, lens epithelium, skin, midline dorsal aorta, lung, kidney and testis. In Xenopus, the expression of the Ened orthologue displayed common RNA distribution in several ectodermal and mesodermal tissues, but also distinct expression in locations including the brain, notochord and blood islands. We suggest that Ened might be a novel target gene of the Fgfr signalling pathway during embryonic development, and that its expression could be modulated by the basement membrane component laminin-111.
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| 4. |
- Hou, Shirui, et al.
(författare)
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The secreted serine protease xHtrA1 stimulates long-range FGF signaling in the early Xenopus embryo
- 2007
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Ingår i: Developmental Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1534-5807. ; 13:2, s. 226-241
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We found that the secreted serine protease xHtrA1, expressed in the early embryo and transcriptionally activated by FGF signals, promotes posterior development in mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos. xHtrA1 mRNA led to the induction of secondary tail-like structures, expansion of mesoderm, and formation of ectopic neurons in an FGF-dependent manner. An antisense morpholino oligonucleotide or a neutralizing antibody against xHtrA1 had the opposite effects. xHtrA1 activates FGF/ ERK signaling and the transcription of FGF genes. We show that Xenopus Biglycan, Syndecan-4, and Glypican-4 are proteolytic targets of xHtrA1 and that heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate trigger posteriorization, mesoderm induction, and neuronal differentiation via the FGIF signaling pathway. The results are consistent with a mechanism by which xHtrA1, through cleaving proteoglycans, releases cellsurface-bound FGF ligands and stimulates long-range FGF signaling.
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| 5. |
- Pera, Edgar, et al.
(författare)
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Exploration of the extracellular space by a large-scale secretion screen in the early Xenopus embryo
- 2005
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Ingår i: International Journal of Developmental Biology. - : UPV/EHU Press. - 1696-3547 .- 0214-6282. ; 49:7, s. 781-796
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Secreted proteins playa crucial role in intercellular communication during embryogenesis and in the adult. We recently described a novel method, designated as secretion cloning, that allows identifying extracellular proteins exclusively based on their ability to be secreted by transfected cells. In this paper, we present the results of a large-scale screening of more than 90,000 clones from three cDNA expression libraries constructed from early Xenopus embryos. Of 170 sequenced clones, 65 appeared to encode secreted proteins; 26 clones (40%) were identical to previously known Xenopus genes, 25 clones (38%) were homologous to other genes identified in various organisms and 14 clones (22%) were novel. Apart from these bona fide secreted proteins, we also isolated lysosomal or other secretory pathway proteins and some cytoplasmic proteins commonly found in body fluids. Among the novel secreted proteins were two putative growth factors of the Granulin family, termed xGra1 and xGra2; they are structurally similar to EGF and TGF alpha and show a spotted expression pattern in the epidermis. Another secreted protein, designated xSOUL, belongs to the family of heme-binding proteins and exhibits distinct expression in the early brain. Athird protein, termed Xystatin, is related to cysteine proteinase inhibitors. Our results indicate that secretion cloning is an effective and generally useful tool for the unbiased isolation of secreted proteins.
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| 6. |
- Strate, Ina, et al.
(författare)
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Retinol dehydrogenase 10 is a feedback regulator of retinoic acid signalling during axis formation and patterning of the central nervous system.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Development: For advances in developmental biology and stem cells. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1477-9129. ; 136:3, s. 461-472
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Retinoic acid (RA) is an important morphogen that regulates many biological processes, including the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Its synthesis from vitamin A (retinol) occurs in two steps, with the second reaction - catalyzed by retinal dehydrogenases (RALDHs) - long considered to be crucial for tissue-specific RA production in the embryo. We have recently identified the Xenopus homologue of retinol dehydrogenase 10 (XRDH10) that mediates the first step in RA synthesis from retinol to retinal. XRDH10 is specifically expressed in the dorsal blastopore lip and in other domains of the early embryo that partially overlap with XRALDH2 expression. We show that endogenous RA suppresses XRDH10 gene expression, suggesting negative-feedback regulation. In mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos, XRDH10 mimicked RA responses, influenced the gene expression of organizer markers, and synergized with XRALDH2 in posteriorizing the developing brain. Knockdown of XRDH10 and XRALDH2 by specific antisense morpholino oligonucleotides had the opposite effects on organizer gene expression, and caused a ventralized phenotype and anteriorization of the brain. These data indicate that the conversion of retinol into retinal is a developmentally controlled step involved in specification of the dorsoventral and anteroposterior body axes, as well as in pattern formation of the CNS. We suggest that the combinatorial gene expression and concerted action of XRDH10 and XRALDH2 constitute a ;biosynthetic enzyme code' for the establishment of a morphogen gradient in the embryo.
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