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Open AccessEditorial

Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan

by Hideyo Ohuchi and Tsutomu Nohno

J. Dev. Biol. 2023, 11(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb11010011 - 10 Mar 2023

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Abstract

We have assembled ten interesting manuscripts submitted by developmental biologists in Japan [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

Research

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12 pages, 6601 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Activation of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Promotes Differentiation of Cortical Layer 4 Neurons via Regulation of Their Cell Positioning

by Koji Oishi, Kazunori Nakajima and Jun Motoyama

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10040050 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1909

Abstract

Neuronal subtypes in the mammalian cerebral cortex are determined by both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms during development. However, the extrinsic cues that are involved in this process remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in glutamatergic cortical subtype [...] Read more.

Neuronal subtypes in the mammalian cerebral cortex are determined by both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms during development. However, the extrinsic cues that are involved in this process remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in glutamatergic cortical subtype specification. We found that E14.5-born, but not E15.5-born, neurons with elevated Shh expression frequently differentiated into layer 4 subtypes as judged by the cell positioning and molecular identity. We further found that this effect was achieved indirectly through the regulation of cell positioning rather than the direct activation of layer 4 differentiation programs. Together, we provided evidence that Shh, an extrinsic factor, plays an important role in the specification of cortical superficial layer subtypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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11 pages, 4505 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Appropriate Amounts and Activity of the Wilms’ Tumor Suppressor Gene, wt1, Are Required for Normal Pronephros Development of Xenopus Embryos

by Taisei Shiraki, Takuma Hayashi, Jotaro Ozue and Minoru Watanabe

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10040046 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1542

Abstract

The Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene, wt1, encodes a zinc finger-containing transcription factor that binds to a GC-rich motif and regulates the transcription of target genes. wt1 was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene in Wilms’ tumor, a pediatric kidney tumor, and [...] Read more.

The Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene, wt1, encodes a zinc finger-containing transcription factor that binds to a GC-rich motif and regulates the transcription of target genes. wt1 was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene in Wilms’ tumor, a pediatric kidney tumor, and has been implicated in normal kidney development. The WT1 protein has transcriptional activation and repression domains and acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor, depending on the target gene and context. In Xenopus, an ortholog of wt1 has been isolated and shown to be expressed in the developing embryonic pronephros. To investigate the role of wt1 in pronephros development in Xenopus embryos, we mutated wt1 by CRISPR/Cas9 and found that the expression of pronephros marker genes was reduced. In reporter assays in which known WT1 binding sequences were placed upstream of the luciferase gene, WT1 activated transcription of the luciferase gene. The injection of wild-type or artificially altered transcriptional activity of wt1 mRNA disrupted the expression of pronephros marker genes in the embryos. These results suggest that the appropriate amounts and activity of WT1 protein are required for normal pronephros development in Xenopus embryos. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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13 pages, 1726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Involvement of a Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Gene BHLHE40 in Specification of Chicken Retinal Pigment Epithelium

by Toshiki Kinuhata, Keita Sato, Tetsuya Bando, Taro Mito, Satoru Miyaishi, Tsutomu Nohno and Hideyo Ohuchi

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10040045 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1903

Abstract

The first event of differentiation and morphogenesis in the optic vesicle (OV) is specification of the neural retina (NR) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), separating the inner and outer layers of the optic cup, respectively. Here, we focus on a basic helix-loop-helix gene, [...] Read more.

The first event of differentiation and morphogenesis in the optic vesicle (OV) is specification of the neural retina (NR) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), separating the inner and outer layers of the optic cup, respectively. Here, we focus on a basic helix-loop-helix gene, BHLHE40, which has been shown to be expressed by the developing RPE in mice and zebrafish. Firstly, we examined the expression pattern of BHLHE40 in the developing chicken eye primordia by in situ hybridization. Secondly, BHLHE40 overexpression was performed with in ovo electroporation and its effects on optic cup morphology and expression of NR and RPE marker genes were examined. Thirdly, we examined the expression pattern of BHLHE40 in LHX1-overexpressed optic cup. BHLHE40 expression emerged in a subset of cells of the OV at Hamburger and Hamilton stage 14 and became confined to the outer layer of the OV and the ciliary marginal zone of the retina by stage 17. BHLHE40 overexpression in the prospective NR resulted in ectopic induction of OTX2 and repression of VSX2. Conversely, BHLHE40 was repressed in the second NR after LHX1 overexpression. These results suggest that emergence of BHLHE40 expression in the OV is involved in initial RPE specification and that BHLHE40 plays a role in separation of the early OV domains by maintaining OTX2 expression and antagonizing an NR developmental program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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14 pages, 3635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Actin Filament in the First Cell Cycle Contributes to the Determination of the Anteroposterior Axis in Ascidian Development

by Toshiyuki Goto, Shuhei Torii, Aoi Kondo, Kazumasa Kanda, Junji Kawakami, Yosky Kataoka and Takahito Nishikata

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10010010 - 04 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3007

Abstract

In many animal species, the body axis is determined by the relocalization of maternal determinants, organelles, or unique cell populations in a cytoskeleton-dependent manner. In the ascidian first cell cycle, the myoplasm, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and maternal mRNAs, move to the [...] Read more.

In many animal species, the body axis is determined by the relocalization of maternal determinants, organelles, or unique cell populations in a cytoskeleton-dependent manner. In the ascidian first cell cycle, the myoplasm, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and maternal mRNAs, move to the future posterior side concomitantly (called ooplasmic segregation or cytoplasmic and cortical reorganization). This translocation consists of first and second phases depending on the actin and microtubule, respectively. However, the transition from first to second phase, that is, translocation of myoplasmic components from microfilaments to microtubules, has been poorly investigated. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between these cytoskeletons and myoplasmic components during the first cell cycle and their role in morphogenesis by inhibitor experiments. Owing to our improved visualization techniques, there was unexpected F-actin accumulation at the vegetal pole during this transition period. When this F-actin was depolymerized, the microtubule structure was strongly affected, the myoplasmic components, including maternal mRNA, were mislocalized, and the anteroposterior axis formation was disordered. These results suggested the importance of F-actin during the first cell cycle and the existence of interactions between microfilaments and microtubules, implying the enigmatic mechanism of ooplasmic segregation. Solving this mystery leads us to an improved understanding of ascidian early development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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16 pages, 4489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regenerative Polarity of the Fin Ray in Zebrafish Caudal Fin and Related Tissue Formation on the Cut Surface

by Wataru Nakajima, Soya Nakanishi, Ryosuke Hosoya, Toshiaki Uemoto, Shiro Ohgo and Naoyuki Wada

J. Dev. Biol. 2021, 9(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb9040050 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2964

Abstract

Zebrafish caudal fin rays are used as a model system for regeneration because of their high regenerative ability, but studies on the regeneration polarity of the fin ray are limited. To investigate this regeneration polarity, we made a hole to excise part of [...] Read more.

Zebrafish caudal fin rays are used as a model system for regeneration because of their high regenerative ability, but studies on the regeneration polarity of the fin ray are limited. To investigate this regeneration polarity, we made a hole to excise part of the fin ray and analyzed the regeneration process. We confirmed that the fin rays always regenerated from the proximal margin toward the distal margin, as previously reported; however, regeneration-related genes were expressed at both the proximal and distal edges of the hole in the early stage of regeneration, suggesting that the regenerative response also occurs at the distal edge. One difference between the proximal and distal margins is a sheet-like tissue that is formed on the apical side of the regenerated tissue at the proximal margin. This sheet-like tissue was not observed at the distal edge. To investigate whether the distal margin was also capable of forming this sheet-like tissue and subsequent regeneration, we kept the distal margin separated from the proximal margin by manipulation. Consequently, the sheet-like tissue was formed at the distal margin and regeneration of the fin ray was also induced. The regenerated fin rays from the distal margin protruded laterally from the caudal fin and then bent distally, and their ends showed the same characteristics as those of the normal fin rays. These results suggest that fin rays have an ability to regenerate in both directions; however, under normal conditions, regeneration is restricted to the proximal margin because the sheet-like tissue is preferentially formed on the apical side of the regenerating tissue from the proximal margin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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9 pages, 3458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Expression of Transcription Factors in Fetal Lamb Kidney

by Yuri Nishiya, Kohei Kawaguchi, Kosuke Kudo, Takuya Kawaguchi, Juma Obayashi, Kunihide Tanaka, Kei Ohyama, Hideki Nagae, Shigeyuki Furuta, Yasuji Seki, Junki Koike, Kevin C. Pringle and Hiroaki Kitagawa

J. Dev. Biol. 2021, 9(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb9020022 - 19 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2460

Abstract

(1) Background: Renal development involves frequent expression and loss of transcription factors, resulting in the activation of genes. Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), hepatocyte nuclear factor-1-beta (HNF1β), and paired box genes 2 and 8 (Pax2 and Pax8) play an important role in renal development. [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Renal development involves frequent expression and loss of transcription factors, resulting in the activation of genes. Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), hepatocyte nuclear factor-1-beta (HNF1β), and paired box genes 2 and 8 (Pax2 and Pax8) play an important role in renal development. With this in vivo study, we examined the period and location of expression of these factors in renal development. (2) Methods: Fetal lamb kidneys (50 days from gestation to term) and adult ewe kidneys were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serial sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry for WT1, HNF1β, Pax2, and Pax8. (3) Results: Pax2, Pax8, and HNF1β expression was observed in the ureteric bud and collecting duct epithelial cells. We observed expression of WT1 alone in metanephric mesenchymal cells, glomerular epithelial cells, and interstitial cells in the medullary rays and Pax8 and HNF1β expression in tubular epithelial cells. WT1 was highly expressed in cells more proximal to the medulla in renal vesicles and in C- and S-shaped bodies. Pax2 was expressed in the middle and peripheral regions, and HNF1β in cells in the region in the middle of these. (4) Conclusions: WT1 is involved in nephron development. Pax2, Pax8, and HNF1β are involved in nephron maturation and the formation of peripheral collecting ducts from the Wolffian duct. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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Review

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16 pages, 1105 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Delayed Delivery Models and the Analysis Method in Mice

by Hiroshi Yomogita, Naoyuki Miyasaka and Masami Kanai-Azuma

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10020020 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2714

Abstract

In humans, the incidence of post-term delivery is 1–10%. Post-term delivery significantly increases the risk of cesarean section or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Despite these serious challenges, the cause of prolonged delivery remains unclear. Several common factors of delayed parturition between [...] Read more.

In humans, the incidence of post-term delivery is 1–10%. Post-term delivery significantly increases the risk of cesarean section or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Despite these serious challenges, the cause of prolonged delivery remains unclear. Several common factors of delayed parturition between mice and humans will help elucidate the mechanisms of pregnancy and labor. At present, gene modification techniques are rapidly developing; however, there are limited reviews available describing the mouse phenotype analysis as a human model for post-term delivery. We classified the delayed-labor mice into nine types according to their causes. In mice, progesterone (P₄) maintains pregnancy, and the most common cause of delayed labor is luteolysis failure. Other contributing factors include humoral molecules in the fetus/placenta, uterine contractile dysfunction, poor cervical ripening, and delayed implantation. The etiology of delayed parturition is overexpression of the pregnancy maintenance mechanism or suppression of the labor induction mechanism. Here, we describe how to investigated their causes using mouse genetic analysis. In addition, we generated a list to identify the causes. Our review will help understand the findings obtained using the mouse model, providing a foundation for conducting more systematic research on delayed delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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17 pages, 1524 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Craniofacial Phenotypes and Genetics of DiGeorge Syndrome

by Noriko Funato

J. Dev. Biol. 2022, 10(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb10020018 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4790

Abstract

The 22q11.2 deletion is one of the most common genetic microdeletions, affecting approximately 1 in 4000 live births in humans. A 1.5 to 2.5 Mb hemizygous deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 causes DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) and velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). DGS/VCFS are associated with prevalent [...] Read more.

The 22q11.2 deletion is one of the most common genetic microdeletions, affecting approximately 1 in 4000 live births in humans. A 1.5 to 2.5 Mb hemizygous deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 causes DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) and velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). DGS/VCFS are associated with prevalent cardiac malformations, thymic and parathyroid hypoplasia, and craniofacial defects. Patients with DGS/VCFS manifest craniofacial anomalies involving the cranium, cranial base, jaws, pharyngeal muscles, ear-nose-throat, palate, teeth, and cervical spine. Most craniofacial phenotypes of DGS/VCFS are caused by proximal 1.5 Mb microdeletions, resulting in a hemizygosity of coding genes, microRNAs, and long noncoding RNAs. TBX1, located on chromosome 22q11.21, encodes a T-box transcription factor and is a candidate gene for DGS/VCFS. TBX1 regulates the fate of progenitor cells in the cranial and pharyngeal apparatus during embryogenesis. Tbx1-null mice exhibit the most clinical features of DGS/VCFS, including craniofacial phenotypes. Despite the frequency of DGS/VCFS, there has been a limited review of the craniofacial phenotypes of DGC/VCFS. This review focuses on these phenotypes and summarizes the current understanding of the genetic factors that impact DGS/VCFS-related phenotypes. We also review DGS/VCFS mouse models that have been designed to better understand the pathogenic processes of DGS/VCFS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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12 pages, 1461 KiB

Open AccessReview

Morphological and Functional Changes of Roof Plate Cells in Spinal Cord Development

by Takuma Shinozuka and Shinji Takada

J. Dev. Biol. 2021, 9(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb9030030 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3595

Abstract

The most dorsal region, or roof plate, is the dorsal organizing center of developing spinal cord. This region is also involved in development of neural crest cells, which are the source of migratory neural crest cells. During early development of the spinal cord, [...] Read more.

The most dorsal region, or roof plate, is the dorsal organizing center of developing spinal cord. This region is also involved in development of neural crest cells, which are the source of migratory neural crest cells. During early development of the spinal cord, roof plate cells secrete signaling molecules, such as Wnt and BMP family proteins, which regulate development of neural crest cells and dorsal spinal cord. After the dorso-ventral pattern is established, spinal cord dynamically changes its morphology. With this morphological transformation, the lumen of the spinal cord gradually shrinks to form the central canal, a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid that is connected to the ventricular system of the brain. The dorsal half of the spinal cord is separated by a glial structure called the dorsal (or posterior) median septum. However, underlying mechanisms of such morphological transformation are just beginning to be understood. Recent studies reveal that roof plate cells dramatically stretch along the dorso-ventral axis, accompanied by reduction of the spinal cord lumen. During this stretching process, the tips of roof plate cells maintain contact with cells surrounding the shrinking lumen, eventually exposed to the inner surface of the central canal. Interestingly, Wnt expression remains in stretched roof plate cells and activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ependymal cells surrounding the central canal. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ependymal cells promotes proliferation of neural progenitor and stem cells in embryonic and adult spinal cord. In this review, we focus on the role of the roof plate, especially that of Wnt ligands secreted by roof plate cells, in morphological changes occurring in the spinal cord. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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9 pages, 2275 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regulation of the Brain Neural Niche by Soluble Molecule Akhirin

by Mikiko Kudo and Kunimasa Ohta

J. Dev. Biol. 2021, 9(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb9030029 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3022

Abstract

In the central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the eyes, spinal cord, and brain, neural cells are produced by the repeated division of neural stem cells (NSCs) during the development of the CNS. Contrary to the notion that the CNS is relatively static [...] Read more.

In the central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the eyes, spinal cord, and brain, neural cells are produced by the repeated division of neural stem cells (NSCs) during the development of the CNS. Contrary to the notion that the CNS is relatively static with a limited cell turnover, cells with stem cell-like properties have been isolated from most neural tissues. The microenvironment, also known as the NSC niche, consists of NSCs/neural progenitor cells, other neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels; this niche is thought to regulate neurogenesis and the differentiation of NSCs into neurons and glia. Although it has been established that neurons, glia, and blood vessels interact with each other in a complex manner to generate neural tissues in the NSC niche, the underlying molecular mechanisms in the CNS niche are unclear. Herein, we would like to introduce the extracellular secreted protein, Akhirin (AKH; Akhi is the Bengali translation for eye). AKH is specifically expressed in the CNS niche—the ciliary body epithelium in the retina, the central canal of the spinal cord, the subventricular zone, and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus—and is supposedly involved in NSC niche regulation. In this review, we discuss the role of AKH as a niche molecule during mouse brain formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Papers by Developmental Biologists in Japan)

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