Journal of Developmental Biology

17 pages, 1217 KiB

Open AccessReview

Game of Tissues: How the Epidermis Thrones C. elegans Shape

by Cátia A. Carvalho and Limor Broday

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010007 - 09 Mar 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3968

The versatility of epithelial cell structure is universally exploited by organisms in multiple contexts. Epithelial cells can establish diverse polarized axes within their tridimensional structure which enables them to flexibly communicate with their neighbors in a 360° range. Hence, these cells are central [...] Read more.

The versatility of epithelial cell structure is universally exploited by organisms in multiple contexts. Epithelial cells can establish diverse polarized axes within their tridimensional structure which enables them to flexibly communicate with their neighbors in a 360° range. Hence, these cells are central to multicellularity, and participate in diverse biological processes such as organismal development, growth or immune response and their misfunction ultimately impacts disease. During the development of an organism, the first task epidermal cells must complete is the formation of a continuous sheet, which initiates its own morphogenic process. In this review, we will focus on the C. elegans embryonic epithelial morphogenesis. We will describe how its formation, maturation, and spatial arrangements set the final shape of the nematode C. elegans. Special importance will be given to the tissue-tissue interactions, regulatory tissue-tissue feedback mechanisms and the players orchestrating the process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Caenorhabditis elegans - A Developmental Genetic Model System)

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52 pages, 2637 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Regulating Retinoic Acid Availability during Development and Regeneration: The Role of the CYP26 Enzymes

by Catherine Roberts

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010006 - 05 Mar 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 11471

Abstract

This review focuses on the role of the Cytochrome p450 subfamily 26 (CYP26) retinoic acid (RA) degrading enzymes during development and regeneration. Cyp26 enzymes, along with retinoic acid synthesising enzymes, are absolutely required for RA homeostasis in these processes by regulating availability of [...] Read more.

This review focuses on the role of the Cytochrome p450 subfamily 26 (CYP26) retinoic acid (RA) degrading enzymes during development and regeneration. Cyp26 enzymes, along with retinoic acid synthesising enzymes, are absolutely required for RA homeostasis in these processes by regulating availability of RA for receptor binding and signalling. Cyp26 enzymes are necessary to generate RA gradients and to protect specific tissues from RA signalling. Disruption of RA homeostasis leads to a wide variety of embryonic defects affecting many tissues. Here, the function of CYP26 enzymes is discussed in the context of the RA signalling pathway, enzymatic structure and biochemistry, human genetic disease, and function in development and regeneration as elucidated from animal model studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Retinoids in Development 2019)

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11 pages, 2009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Hox Gene egl-5 Acts as a Terminal Selector for VD13 Development via Wnt Signaling

by Meagan Kurland, Bryn O’Meara, Dana K. Tucker and Brian D. Ackley

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010005 - 03 Mar 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3598

Abstract

Nervous systems are comprised of diverse cell types that differ functionally and morphologically. During development, extrinsic signals, e.g., growth factors, can activate intrinsic programs, usually orchestrated by networks of transcription factors. Within that network, transcription factors that drive the specification of features specific [...] Read more.

Nervous systems are comprised of diverse cell types that differ functionally and morphologically. During development, extrinsic signals, e.g., growth factors, can activate intrinsic programs, usually orchestrated by networks of transcription factors. Within that network, transcription factors that drive the specification of features specific to a limited number of cells are often referred to as terminal selectors. While we still have an incomplete view of how individual neurons within organisms become specified, reporters limited to a subset of neurons in a nervous system can facilitate the discovery of cell specification programs. We have identified a fluorescent reporter that labels VD13, the most posterior of the 19 inhibitory GABA (γ-amino butyric acid)-ergic motorneurons, and two additional neurons, LUAL and LUAR. Loss of function in multiple Wnt signaling genes resulted in an incompletely penetrant loss of the marker, selectively in VD13, but not the LUAs, even though other aspects of GABAergic specification in VD13 were normal. The posterior Hox gene, egl-5, was necessary for expression of our marker in VD13, and ectopic expression of egl-5 in more anterior GABAergic neurons induced expression of the marker. These results suggest egl-5 is a terminal selector of VD13, subsequent to GABAergic specification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Caenorhabditis elegans - A Developmental Genetic Model System)

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14 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bu-M-P-ing Iron: How BMP Signaling Regulates Muscle Growth and Regeneration

by Matthew J Borok, Despoina Mademtzoglou and Frederic Relaix

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010004 - 11 Feb 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4874

Abstract

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is best known for its role in promoting bone formation, however it has been shown to play important roles in both development and regeneration of many different tissues. Recent work has shown that the BMP proteins have [...] Read more.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is best known for its role in promoting bone formation, however it has been shown to play important roles in both development and regeneration of many different tissues. Recent work has shown that the BMP proteins have a number of functions in skeletal muscle, from embryonic to postnatal development. Furthermore, complementary studies have recently demonstrated that specific components of the pathway are required for efficient muscle regeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conserved and Divergent Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Development and Regeneration)

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16 pages, 2389 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 Activity is Required for Normal and Hypoxia-Induced Precocious Hatching in Zebrafish Embryos

by Christopher D. Small, Megan el-Khoury, Ghislain Deslongchamps, Tillmann J. Benfey and Bryan D. Crawford

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010003 - 31 Jan 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

Hypoxia induces precocious hatching in zebrafish, but we do not have a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of the hatching enzyme or how these mechanisms trigger precocious hatching under unfavorable environmental conditions. Using immunohistochemistry, pharmacological inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase [...] Read more.

Hypoxia induces precocious hatching in zebrafish, but we do not have a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of the hatching enzyme or how these mechanisms trigger precocious hatching under unfavorable environmental conditions. Using immunohistochemistry, pharmacological inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (Mmp13), and in vivo zymography, we show that Mmp13a is present in the hatching gland just as embryos become hatching competent and that Mmp13a activity is required for both normal hatching and hypoxia-induced precocious hatching. We conclude that Mmp13a likely functions in activating the hatching enzyme zymogen and that Mmp13a activity is necessary but not sufficient for hatching in zebrafish. This study highlights the broad nature of MMP function in development and provides a non-mammalian example of extra-embryonic processes mediated by MMP activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Matrix Remodelling during Development)

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17 pages, 2187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Craniofacial Analysis May Indicate Co-Occurrence of Skeletal Malocclusions and Associated Risks in Development of Cleft Lip and Palate

by Denise K. Liberton, Payal Verma, Konstantinia Almpani, Peter W. Fung, Rashmi Mishra, Snehlata Oberoi, Figen Ç. Şenel, James K. Mah, John Huang, Bonnie L. Padwa and Janice S. Lee

J. Dev. Biol. 2020, 8(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb8010002 - 28 Jan 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4112

Abstract

Non-syndromic orofacial clefts encompass a range of morphological changes affecting the oral cavity and the craniofacial skeleton, of which the genetic and epigenetic etiologic factors remain largely unknown. The objective of this study is to explore the contribution of underlying dentofacial deformities (also [...] Read more.

Non-syndromic orofacial clefts encompass a range of morphological changes affecting the oral cavity and the craniofacial skeleton, of which the genetic and epigenetic etiologic factors remain largely unknown. The objective of this study is to explore the contribution of underlying dentofacial deformities (also known as skeletal malocclusions) in the craniofacial morphology of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate patients (nsCLP). For that purpose, geometric morphometric analysis was performed using full skull cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of patients with nsCLP (n = 30), normocephalic controls (n = 60), as well as to sex- and ethnicity- matched patients with an equivalent dentofacial deformity (n = 30). Our outcome measures were shape differences among the groups quantified via principal component analysis and associated principal component loadings, as well as mean shape differences quantified via a Procrustes distance among groups. According to our results, despite the shape differences among all three groups, the nsCLP group shares many morphological similarities in the maxilla and mandible with the dentofacial deformity group. Therefore, the dentoskeletal phenotype in nsCLP could be the result of the cleft and the coexisting dentofacial deformity and not simply the impact of the cleft. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology)

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