Lpar2b Controls Lateral Line Tissue Size by Regulating Yap1 Activity in Zebrafish

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Signaling
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling is vital for cell migration and proliferation.
• The role of LPA signaling in sensory organ development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of LPA receptor Lpar2b in zebrafish sensory organ development.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Lpar2b influences the lateral line system.

Main Methods:

• Zebrafish embryo model system.
• Genetic manipulation (loss-of-function, knockdown).
• Analysis of posterior lateral line primordium (pLLP) and neuromast (NM) development.
• Investigation of Hippo pathway effector Yap1 activity.

Main Results:

• Lpar2b is expressed in the zebrafish posterior lateral line primordium (pLLP) and neuromasts (NMs).
• Lpar2b loss-of-function reduces pLLP size, NM number, and hair cell count.
• Lpar2b regulates pLLP patterning and tissue size.
• Knockdown of Yap1 phenocopies Lpar2b depletion effects.
• Lpar2b controls Yap1 phosphorylation and activity in the pLLP.
• A phosphorylation-resistant Yap1 mutant rescues Lpar2b depletion phenotypes.

Conclusions:

• Lpar2b is essential for zebrafish lateral line development.
• Lpar2b controls pLLP size and NM number by modulating Yap1 activity.
• This study reveals a novel role for LPA signaling in sensory organ development via the Hippo-Yap1 pathway.