scholarly journals Evolution of Endothelin signaling and diversification of adult pigment pattern in Danio fishes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Spiewak ◽  
Emily J. Bain ◽  
Jin Liu ◽  
Kellie Kou ◽  
Samantha L. Sturiale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Behaviors ◽  
Adult Form ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Endothelin 3 ◽  
Skin Pigment ◽  
Pigment Patterns

AbstractFishes of the genus Danio exhibit diverse pigment patterns that serve as useful models for understanding the genes and cell behaviors underlying the evolution of adult form. Among these species, zebrafish D. rerio exhibit several dark stripes of melanophores with sparse iridophores that alternate with light interstripes of dense iridophores and xanthophores. By contrast, the closely related species D. nigrofasciatus has an attenuated pattern with fewer melanophores, stripes and interstripes. Here we demonstrate species differences in iridophore development that presage the fully formed patterns. Using genetic and transgenic approaches we identify the secreted peptide Endothelin-3 (Edn3)—a known melanogenic factor of tetrapods—as contributing to reduced iridophore proliferation and fewer stripes and interstripes in D. nigrofasciatus. We further show the locus encoding this factor is expressed at lower levels in D. nigrofasciatus owing to cis-regulatory differences between species. Finally, we show that functions of two paralogous loci encoding Edn3 have been partitioned between skin and non-skin iridophores. Our findings reveal genetic and cellular mechanisms contributing to pattern differences between these species and suggest a model for evolutionary changes in Edn3 requirements across vertebrates.Author SummaryNeural crest derived pigment cells generate the spectacular variation in skin pigment patterns among vertebrates. Mammals and birds have just a single skin pigment cell, the melanocyte, whereas ectothermic vertebrates have several pigment cells including melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores, that together organize into a diverse array of patterns. In the teleost zebrafish, Danio rerio, an adult pattern of stripes depends on interactions between pigment cell classes and between pigment cells and their tissue environment. The close relative, D. nigrofasciatus has fewer stripes and prior analyses suggested a difference between these species that lies extrinsic to the pigment cells themselves. A candidate for mediating this difference is Endothelin-3 (Edn3), essential for melanocyte development in warm-blooded animals, and required by all three classes of pigment cells in an amphibian. We show that Edn3 specifically promotes iridophore development in Danio, and that differences in Edn3 expression contribute to differences in iridophore complements, and striping, between D. rerio and D. nigrofasciatus. Our study reveals a novel function for Edn3 and provides new insights into how changes in gene expression yield morphogenetic outcomes to effect diversification of adult form.

Zebrafish Pigment Pattern Formation: Insights into the Development and Evolution of Adult Form

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 505-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa B. Patterson ◽  
David M. Parichy
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Formation ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Lineage Specification ◽  
Pigment Pattern ◽  
Adult Form ◽  
Pattern Development ◽  
Pigment Patterns

Vertebrate pigment patterns are diverse and fascinating adult traits that allow animals to recognize conspecifics, attract mates, and avoid predators. Pigment patterns in fish are among the most amenable traits for studying the cellular basis of adult form, as the cells that produce diverse patterns are readily visible in the skin during development. The genetic basis of pigment pattern development has been most studied in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Zebrafish adults have alternating dark and light horizontal stripes, resulting from the precise arrangement of three main classes of pigment cells: black melanophores, yellow xanthophores, and iridescent iridophores. The coordination of adult pigment cell lineage specification and differentiation with specific cellular interactions and morphogenetic behaviors is necessary for stripe development. Besides providing a nice example of pattern formation responsible for an adult trait of zebrafish, stripe-forming mechanisms also provide a conceptual framework for posing testable hypotheses about pattern diversification more broadly. Here, we summarize what is known about lineages and molecular interactions required for pattern formation in zebrafish, we review some of what is known about pattern diversification in Danio, and we speculate on how patterns in more distant teleosts may have evolved to produce a stunningly diverse array of patterns in nature.

An orthologue of the kit-related gene fms is required for development of neural crest-derived xanthophores and a subpopulation of adult melanocytes in the zebrafish, Danio rerio

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (14) ◽  
pp. 3031-3044 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Parichy ◽  
D.G. Ransom ◽  
B. Paw ◽  
L.I. Zon ◽  
S.L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Pigment Pattern ◽  
Cell Behaviors ◽  
Pattern Development ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Pigment Patterns

Developmental mechanisms underlying traits expressed in larval and adult vertebrates remain largely unknown. Pigment patterns of fishes provide an opportunity to identify genes and cell behaviors required for postembryonic morphogenesis and differentiation. In the zebrafish, Danio rerio, pigment patterns reflect the spatial arrangements of three classes of neural crest-derived pigment cells: black melanocytes, yellow xanthophores and silver iridophores. We show that the D. rerio pigment pattern mutant panther ablates xanthophores in embryos and adults and has defects in the development of the adult pattern of melanocyte stripes. We find that panther corresponds to an orthologue of the c-fms gene, which encodes a type III receptor tyrosine kinase and is the closest known homologue of the previously identified pigment pattern gene, kit. In mouse, fms is essential for the development of macrophage and osteoclast lineages and has not been implicated in neural crest or pigment cell development. In contrast, our analyses demonstrate that fms is expressed and required by D. rerio xanthophore precursors and that fms promotes the normal patterning of melanocyte death and migration during adult stripe formation. Finally, we show that fms is required for the appearance of a late developing, kit-independent subpopulation of adult melanocytes. These findings reveal an unexpected role for fms in pigment pattern development and demonstrate that parallel neural crest-derived pigment cell populations depend on the activities of two essentially paralogous genes, kit and fms.

scholarly journals Strain difference in transgene-induced tumorigenesis and suppressive effect of ionizing radiation

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
Bibek Dutta ◽  
Taichi Asami ◽  
Tohru Imatomi ◽  
Kento Igarashi ◽  
Kento Nagata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Background ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Strain Difference ◽  
Inbred Strains ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Model System ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Transgenic Expression ◽  
Genome Information

Abstract Transgenic expression in medaka of the Xiphophorus oncogene xmrk, under a pigment cell specific mitf promoter, induces hyperpigmentation and pigment cell tumors. In this study, we crossed the Hd-rR and HNI inbred strains because complete genome information is readily available for molecular and genetic analysis. We prepared an Hd-rR (p53+/−, p53−/−) and Hd-rR HNI hybrid (p53+/−) fish-based xmrk model system to study the progression of pigment cells from hyperpigmentation to malignant tumors on different genetic backgrounds. In all strains examined, most of the initial hyperpigmentation occurred in the posterior region. On the Hd-rR background, mitf:xmrk-induced tumorigenesis was less frequent in p53+/− fish than in p53−/− fish. The incidence of hyperpigmentation was more frequent in Hd-rR/HNI hybrids than in Hd-rR homozygotes; however, the frequency of malignant tumors was low, which suggested the presence of a tumor suppressor in HNI genetic background fish. The effects on tumorigenesis in xmrk-transgenic immature medaka of a single 1.3 Gy irradiation was assessed by quantifying tumor progression over 4 consecutive months. The results demonstrate that irradiation has a different level of suppressive effect on the frequency of hyperpigmentation in purebred Hd-rR compared with hybrids.

scholarly journals Review: The Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling in Neural Crest Development in Zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Sutton ◽  
Robert N. Kelsh ◽  
Steffen Scholpp
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Neural Plate ◽  
The Body ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Neural Plate Border

The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent cell population in vertebrate embryos with extraordinary migratory capacity. The NC is crucial for vertebrate development and forms a myriad of cell derivatives throughout the body, including pigment cells, neuronal cells of the peripheral nervous system, cardiomyocytes and skeletogenic cells in craniofacial tissue. NC induction occurs at the end of gastrulation when the multipotent population of NC progenitors emerges in the ectodermal germ layer in the neural plate border region. In the process of NC fate specification, fate-specific markers are expressed in multipotent progenitors, which subsequently adopt a specific fate. Thus, NC cells delaminate from the neural plate border and migrate extensively throughout the embryo until they differentiate into various cell derivatives. Multiple signalling pathways regulate the processes of NC induction and specification. This review explores the ongoing role of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway during NC development, focusing on research undertaken in the Teleost model organism, zebrafish (Danio rerio). We discuss the function of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in inducing the NC within the neural plate border and the specification of melanocytes from the NC. The current understanding of NC development suggests a continual role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in activating and maintaining the gene regulatory network during NC induction and pigment cell specification. We relate this to emerging models and hypotheses on NC fate restriction. Finally, we highlight the ongoing challenges facing NC research, current gaps in knowledge, and this field’s potential future directions.

scholarly journals Behavioral syndromes shape evolutionary trajectories via conserved genetic architecture

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Royauté ◽  
Ann Hedrick ◽  
Ned A. Dochtermann
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Behavioral Syndromes ◽  
Behavioral Syndrome ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Field Crickets ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Gryllus Integer

AbstractBehaviors are often correlated within broader syndromes, creating the potential for evolution in one behavior to drive evolutionary changes in other behaviors. Despite demonstrations that behavioral syndromes are common across taxa, whether this potential for evolutionary effects is realized has not yet been demonstrated. Here we show that populations of field crickets (Gryllus integer) exhibit a genetically conserved behavioral syndrome structure despite differences in average behaviors. We found that the distribution of genetic variation and genetic covariance among behavioral traits was consistent with genes and cellular mechanisms underpinning behavioral syndromes rather than correlated selection. Moreover, divergence among populations’ average behaviors was constrained by the genetically conserved behavioral syndrome. Our results demonstrate that a conserved genetic architecture linking behaviors has shaped the evolutionary trajectories of populations in disparate environments—illustrating an important way by which behavioral syndromes result in shared evolutionary fates.

scholarly journals Regulation of melanocyte development by ligand-dependent BMP signaling underlies oncogenic BMP signaling in melanoma

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alec K. Gramann ◽  
Arvind M. Venkatesan ◽  
Melissa Guerin ◽  
Craig J. Ceol
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Cell Development ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Neural Crest Development ◽  
Direct Regulation

AbstractPreventing terminal differentiation is important in the development and progression of many cancers including melanoma. Recent identification of the BMP ligand GDF6 as a novel melanoma oncogene showed GDF6-activated BMP signaling suppresses differentiation of melanoma cells. Previous studies have identified roles for GDF6 orthologs during early embryonic and neural crest development, but have not identified direct regulation of melanocyte development by GDF6. Here, we investigate the BMP ligand gdf6a, a zebrafish ortholog of human GDF6, during the development of melanocytes from the neural crest. We establish that the loss of gdf6a or inhibition of BMP signaling during neural crest development disrupts normal pigment cell development, leading to an increase in the number of melanocytes and a corresponding decrease in iridophores, another neural crest-derived pigment cell type in zebrafish. This shift occurs as pigment cells arise from the neural crest and depends on mitfa, an ortholog of MITF, a key regulator of melanocyte development that is also targeted by oncogenic BMP signaling. Together, these results indicate that the oncogenic role ligand-dependent BMP signaling plays in suppressing differentiation in melanoma is a reiteration of its physiological roles during melanocyte development.

‘Transdifferentiation’ of chicken neural retina into lens and pigment epithelium in culture: controlling influences

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
D. J. Pritchard ◽  
R. M. Clayton ◽  
D. I. De Pomerai
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Neural Retina ◽  
Medium Composition ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Bicarbonate Concentration ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Culture Growth ◽  
New Hypothesis

The in vitro transdifferentiation of chicken embryo neural retina into pigment epithelium and lens cells was investigated under a variety of experimental conditions. Our findings suggest that some aspects of the phenomena are a function of medium composition and volume, whereas others depend upon conditions which develop during culture growth. Before melanin is visible, potential pigment cells are recognized as foci within epithelialsheets which remain in contact with the dish. The final area occupied by colonies of potential pigment cells is directly proportional to bicarbonate concentration. Low total medium volume also favours formation of potential pigment cells. In contrast the extent of cells other than potential pigment cells is not related to bicarbonate and is favoured when the volume of medium is large. Accumulation of melanin within the potential pigment cell colonies is suppressed when cells are crowded together. Lentoid bodies are formed from cells which are distinct from potential pigment cells and arise in crowded situations, in association with multilayering. Another type of structure superficially resembling a lentoid is derived from cell aggregates formed during the initial establishment of cultures. The survival of these ‘aggregate bodies’ is inversely related to bicarbonate concentration. Crystallin content is unrelated to lentoid numbers. The results provide the basis for a new hypothesis concerning cytodifferentiation in this system.

The Pigment Cell System in the Light Sussex Fowl

Development ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-374
Author(s):  
J. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Black Stripe ◽  
White Feather

Light Sussex embryos and day-old chicks have no pigmentation of their plumage. Some pigmentation appears at the bases of the wing and tail primaries during the first week after hatching, and at about 6 weeks each neck feather shows a broad longitudinal medial black stripe. The saddle, flank, and breast feathers remain unpigmented, except in some strains which may show some, black flecks in these feathers as the bird ages. Thus in the adult Light Sussex the flight feathers of the wings and tail show considerable areas of black, the neck feathers have a broad black stripe on each side of the rachis, and the rest of the plumage is white (Plate 1, figs. A, B, C). The question therefore arises as to whether the pigment cells are present and non-functional, or absent, in the white feather of a partly pigmented breed such as the Light Sussex.

The Fine Structure of the Eye of the Leech, Helobdella Stagnalis

1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-348
Author(s):  
A. W. CLARK
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Receptor Cell ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Cell Cytoplasm ◽  
Receptor Cells ◽  
Intracellular Vesicle

The eye of the rhynchobdellid leech, Helobdella stagnalis, has been examined with the electron microscope. The eye is composed of a cup of pigment cells surrounding a compact mass of photo-receptor cells. In addition to pigment granules, the pigment-cell cytoplasm is characterized by mitochondria, a Golgi complex, and profiles of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The photoreceptor cell contains a microvillous rhabdomere. The microvilli arise from the membrane of a large intracellular vesicle and obliterate much of its lumen. No connexion between the lumen of the intracellular vesicle and the extracellular space has been observed. The plasmalemma of the photoreceptor cell is folded to form thin pleats of cytoplasm which separate adjacent receptor cells from each other. No glial-like cells have been seen in the receptor cell mass. Directly subjacent to the microvilli and surrounding the intracellular vesicle is a tortuous and predominantly smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. A pair of centrioles is found near the rhabdomere. The cytoplasm around the nucleus is characterized by smooth- and rough-surfaced elements of endoplasmic reticulum, many mitochondria, and a Golgi complex. Proximally, the receptor cell narrows to form a nerve fibre which joins those from other cells to form the optic nerve.

nacre encodes a zebrafish microphthalmia-related protein that regulates neural-crest-derived pigment cell fate

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (17) ◽  
pp. 3757-3767 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Lister ◽  
C.P. Robertson ◽  
T. Lepage ◽  
S.L. Johnson ◽  
D.W. Raible
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Wild Type

We report the isolation and identification of a new mutation affecting pigment cell fate in the zebrafish neural crest. Homozygous nacre (nac(w2)) mutants lack melanophores throughout development but have increased numbers of iridophores. The non-crest-derived retinal pigment epithelium is normal, suggesting that the mutation does not affect pigment synthesis per se. Expression of early melanoblast markers is absent in nacre mutants and transplant experiments suggested a cell-autonomous function in melanophores. We show that nac(w2) is a mutation in a zebrafish gene encoding a basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper transcription factor related to microphthalmia (Mitf), a gene known to be required for development of eye and crest pigment cells in the mouse. Transient expression of the wild-type nacre gene restored melanophore development in nacre(−/−) embryos. Furthermore, misexpression of nacre induced the formation of ectopic melanized cells and caused defects in eye development in wild-type and mutant embryos. These results demonstrate that melanophore development in fish and mammals shares a dependence on the nacre/Mitf transcription factor, but that proper development of the retinal pigment epithelium in the fish is not nacre-dependent, suggesting an evolutionary divergence in the function of this gene.

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