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Related Experiment Videos

Xenopus Bcl-X(L) selectively protects Rohon-Beard neurons from metamorphic degeneration.

L Coen1, D du Pasquier, S Le Mevel

  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie Générale et Comparée, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Unité Mixte de Recherche, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 8572, 7, Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, Cedex 5, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 28, 2001
PubMed
Summary

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Xenopus R11 (xR11), a Bcl-X(L) homolog, protects specific neurons during metamorphosis. Overexpression of xR11 in tadpoles prolonged Rohon-Beard neuron survival, revealing cell-specific apoptosis pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Amphibian metamorphosis involves selective neuronal death, similar to mammalian development.
  • The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-X(L) is crucial for neuronal survival in mammals.
  • The Xenopus homolog of Bcl-X(L), xR11, accumulates in the nervous system during metamorphosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of xR11 in regulating neuronal survival during amphibian postembryonic development.
  • To determine if xR11 selectively protects neurons during metamorphosis.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of xR11 using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-xR11 fusion protein via somatic and germinal transgenesis in Xenopus.
  • Somatic gene transfer to assess the antiapoptotic effects of GFP-xR11 against Bax.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Germinal transgenesis with neuronal beta-tubulin promoter for sustained neuronal expression.
  • Confocal microscopy to determine subcellular localization of GFP-xR11.

    • Main Results:

    • GFP-xR11 counteracted Bax-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.
    • Neuronal-specific expression of GFP-xR11 was maintained throughout metamorphosis and into later life stages.
    • GFP-xR11 localized exclusively to mitochondria.
    • Rohon-Beard neuron survival was significantly prolonged by GFP-xR11, even in the tadpole tail.
    • Spinal cord motoneuron fate was unaffected by GFP-xR11 expression.

    Conclusions:

    • xR11 selectively protects Rohon-Beard neurons during Xenopus metamorphosis.
    • The findings indicate the existence of cell-specific apoptotic pathways during postembryonic development.
    • This study provides a model for analyzing programmed neuronal turnover.