PUBLICATION

Two T-box genes play independent and cooperative roles to regulate morphogenesis of ciliated Kupffer's vesicle in zebrafish

Authors
Amack, J.D., Wang, X., and Yost, H.J.
ID
ZDB-PUB-070907-29
Date
2007
Source
Developmental Biology   310(2): 196-210 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Amack, Jeffrey, Yost, H. Joseph
Keywords
Left–right asymmetry; Dorsal forerunner cells; Kupffer's vesicle; T-box genes; Tbx16/spadetail; No tail/brachyury; Cilia; Nodal flow
MeSH Terms
  • Fetal Proteins
  • Epithelium/physiology
  • Mesoderm/cytology*
  • Mesoderm/physiology
  • Cell Differentiation/physiology
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/physiology*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
  • Protein Kinase C/metabolism
  • Cilia/physiology
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning/physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology
  • T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins/physiology*
(all 16)
PubMed
17765888 Full text @ Dev. Biol.
Abstract
The brain, heart and gastro-intestinal tract develop distinct left-right (LR) asymmetries. Asymmetric cilia-dependent fluid flow in the embryonic node in mouse, Kupffer's vesicle in zebrafish, notochordal plate in rabbit and gastrocoel roof plate in frog appears to be a conserved mechanism that directs LR asymmetric gene expression and establishes the orientation of organ asymmetry. However, the cellular processes and genetic pathways that control the formation of these essential ciliated structures are unknown. In zebrafish, migratory dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs) give rise to Kupffer's vesicle (KV), a ciliated epithelial sheet that forms a lumen and generates fluid flow. Using the epithelial marker atypical Protein Kinase C (aPKC) and other markers to analyze DFCs and KV cells, we describe a multi-step process by which DFCs form a functional KV. Using mutants and morpholinos, we show that two T-box transcription factors-No tail (Ntl)/Brachyury and Tbx16/Spadetail-cooperatively regulate an early step of DFC mesenchyme to epithelial transition (MET) and KV cell specification. Subsequently, each transcription factor independently controls a distinct step in KV formation: Tbx16 regulates apical clustering of KV cells and Ntl is necessary for KV lumen formation. By targeting morpholinos to DFCs, we show that these cell autonomous functions in KV morphogenesis are necessary for LR patterning throughout the embryo.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Figure Gallery (12 images) / 2
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
b104
    Indel
    b160
      Indel
      1 - 2 of 2
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      Human Disease / Model
      No data available
      Sequence Targeting Reagents
      Target Reagent Reagent Type
      tbx16MO3-tbx16MRPHLNO
      tbxtaMO1-tbxtaMRPHLNO
      1 - 2 of 2
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      Fish
      Antibodies
      Orthology
      No data available
      Engineered Foreign Genes
      No data available
      Mapping
      No data available