Project description:The Notch pathway is a cell-cell communication system which is critical for many developmental processes, including craniofacial development. Notch receptor activation induces expression of several well-known canonical targets including those encoded by the hes and her genes in mammals and zebrafish, respectively. The function of these genes, individually and in combination, during craniofacial development is not well understood. Here, we investigated zebrafish her9 and her6 gene function during craniofacial development. We found that her9 is required for osteoblasts to efficiently mineralize bone, while cartilage is largely unaffected. Strikingly, gene expression studies in her9 mutants indicate that although progenitor cells differentiate into osteoblasts at the appropriate time and place, they fail to efficiently lay down mineralized matrix. This mineralization role of her9 is likely independent of Notch activation. In contrast, her9 also functions redundantly with her6 downstream of Jagged1b-induced Notch activation during dorsoventral craniofacial patterning. These studies disentangle distinct and redundant her gene functions during craniofacial development, including an unexpected, Notch independent, requirement during bone mineralization
Project description:The Notch pathway is a cell-cell communication system which is critical for many developmental processes, including craniofacial development. Notch receptor activation induces expression of several well-known canonical targets including those encoded by the hes and her genes in mammals and zebrafish, respectively. The function of these genes, individually and in combination, during craniofacial development is not well understood. Here, we used zebrafish genetics to investigate her9 and her6 gene function during craniofacial development. We found that her9 is required for osteoblasts to efficiently mineralize bone, while cartilage is largely unaffected. Strikingly, gene expression studies in her9 mutants indicate that although progenitor cells differentiate into osteoblasts at the appropriate time and place, they fail to efficiently lay down mineralized matrix. This mineralization role of her9 is likely independent of Notch activation. In contrast, her9 also functions redundantly with her6 downstream of Jagged1b-induced Notch activation during dorsoventral craniofacial patterning. These studies disentangle distinct and redundant her gene functions during craniofacial development, including an unexpected, Notch independent, requirement during bone mineralization.
Project description:Wnt signaling plays a fundamental role in the initial patterning and development of the embryo, including in the regulation of convergent extension during gastrulation and the establishment of the dorsal axis. Further, Wnt signaling is a crucial regulator of craniofacial morphogenesis. The relationship between early embryo patterning and craniofacial outcomes warrants further study. The adapter proteins Dact1 and Dact2 modulate the Wnt signaling pathway through binding to Disheveled, however, the distinct roles of Dact1 and Dact2 during embryogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal gene expression patterns of dact1 and dact2 during zebrafish embryogenesis, revealing both shared and unique domains of expression. We found that both dact1 and dact2 contribute to axis extension, with compound mutants exhibiting a similar convergent extension defect and craniofacial phenotype to the wnt11f2/slb mutant. Utilizing single-cell RNAseq and gpc4-/- zebrafish, a convergent extension mutant with an opposite craniofacial phenotype, we identified dact1/2 specific roles during early development. Using this subtractive approach, we discovered a novel role for dact1/2 in regulating the mRNA expression of the classical calpain, capn8, suggesting a previously unappreciated role of calcium-dependent proteolysis during embryogenesis. Taken together, our findings highlight the distinct and overlapping roles of dact1 and dact2 in embryonic craniofacial development, providing new insights into the multifaceted regulation of Wnt signaling.
Project description:BackgroundPRDM proteins are evolutionary conserved Zn-Finger transcription factors that share a characteristic protein domain organization. Previous studies have shown that prdm1a is required for the specification and differentiation of neural crest cells in the zebrafish.ResultsHere we examine other members of this family, specifically prdm3, 5, and 16, in the differentiation of the zebrafish craniofacial skeleton. prdm3 and prdm16 are strongly expressed in the pharyngeal arches, while prdm5 is expressed specifically in the area of the forming neurocranium. Knockdown of prdm3 and prdm16 results in a reduction in the neural crest markers dlx2a and barx1 and defects in both the viscerocranium and the neurocranium. The knockdown of prdm3 and prdm16 in combination is additive in the neurocranium, but not in the viscerocranium. Injection of sub-optimal doses of prdm1a with prdm3 or prdm16 Morpholinos together leads to more severe phenotypes in the viscerocranium and neurocranium. prdm5 mutants have defects in the neurocranium and prdm1a and prdm5 double mutants also show more severe phenotypes.ConclusionsOverall, our data reveal that prdm3, 5, and 16 are involved in the zebrafish craniofacial development and that prdm1a may interact with prdm3, 5, and 16 in the formation of the craniofacial skeleton in zebrafish.
Project description:Congenital malformations in facial bones significantly impact the overall representation of face. Establishing a correlation between gene expression and morphogenesis of craniofacial structures may lead to new discoveries of molecular mechanisms of craniofacial development. Thus in the present investigation we will generate gene expression profiles of different facial bones at different time intervals over a period of 5 years to establish their roles in regulating craniofacial development. To perform global gene expression profiling analysis of mandible and maxilla development and integrate these datasets with cell lineage and quantitative 3D dynamic imaging analyses. In collaboration with the ontology group within the FaceBase consortium, we will define anatomical landmarks and morphometric parameters of the developing mandible and maxilla.
Project description:“Murine obscurin and Obsl1 have functionally redundant roles in sarcolemmal integrity, sarcoplasmic reticulum organization, and muscle metabolism.”
Project description:Congenital malformations in facial bones significantly impact the overall representation of face. Establishing a correlations between gene expression and morphogenesis of craniofacial structures may lead to new discoveries of molecular mechanisms of craniofacial development. Thus in the present investiation we will generate gene expression profile of different facial bones at different time intrevals over a period of 5 years to establish their roles in regulating craniofacial development