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The Power of Simplicity: Sea Urchin Embryos as in Vivo Developmental Models for Studying Complex Cell-to-cell Signaling Network Interactions
Published on: February 16, 2017
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Notch-mediated lateral inhibition is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism patterning the ectoderm in echinoids
Eric M Erkenbrack1,2,3
1Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA. eric.erkenbrack@yale.edu.
Development Genes and Evolution
|December 18, 2017
Summary
Notch signaling in sea urchin development specifies cell fates and regulates pigment cell proliferation. This study examines its role in Eucidaris tribuloides, revealing conserved functions in ectodermal patterning and pigment cell control.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary developmental biology
- Marine biology
Background:
- Notch signaling is vital for early sea urchin development, specifying mesodermal lineages and neurons.
- Its role in the distantly related cidaroid sea urchin Eucidaris tribuloides is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution and function of key Notch pathway genes (delta, gcm, hesc) in Eucidaris tribuloides.
- To compare Notch signaling functions between euechinoid and cidaroid sea urchins.
Main Methods:
- Spatial expression analysis of delta, gcm, and hesc transcripts.
- Experimental perturbation of Notch signaling using delta morpholinos and DAPT treatment.
- Perturbation of hesc gene expression.
Main Results:
- Delta and hesc perturbation altered the expression of delta, gcm, and hesc, consistent with lateral inhibition.
- Ectopic expression of delta and gcm was observed upon perturbation.
- Notch signaling regulates pigment cell proliferation, as evidenced by supernumerary pigment cells after delta or hesc perturbation.
Conclusions:
- Notch signaling in Eucidaris tribuloides ectodermal patterning is conserved with euechinoids, functioning via lateral inhibition.
- The study suggests Notch signaling historically regulated neurogenic progenitor specification and pigment cell proliferation in the dorsal ectoderm of echinoid ancestors.
Keywords:
Gene regulatory networksHES proteinsNeurogenic ectodermNotch signalingPigment cellsSea urchinsMore Related Videos
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