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Sequential developmental acquisition of neuromodulatory inputs to a central pattern-generating network.

The activity of the adult stomatogastric ganglion (STG) depends on a large number of aminergic and peptidergic modulatory inputs. Our aim is to understand the role of these modulatory inputs in the development of the central pattern-generating networks of the STG. Therefore, we analyze the developmental and adult expressions of three neuropeptides in the stomatogastric nervous system of the lobsters Homarus americanus and Homarus gammarus by using wholemount immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. In adults, red pigment-concentrating hormone (RPCH)-like, proctolin-like, and a tachykinin-like immunoreactivity are present in axonal projections to the STG. At 50% of embryonic development (E50), all three peptides stain the commissural ganglia and brain, but only RPCH- and proctolin-like immunoreactivities stain axonal arbors in the STG. Tachykinin-like immunoreactivity is not apparent in the STG until larval stage II (LII). The RPCH-immunoreactive projection to the STG consists of two pairs of fibers. One pair stains for RPCH immunoreactivity at E50; the second RPCH-immunoreactive pair does not stain until about LII. One pair of the RPCH fibers double labels for tachykinin-like immunoreactivity. The adult complement of neuromodulatory inputs is not fully expressed until close to the developmental time at which major changes in the STG motor patterns occur, suggesting that neuromodulators play a role in the tuning of the central pattern generators during development.

Animals↗

Phenytoin-induced alterations in craniofacial gene expression.

In utero exposure to the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin has been shown to alter normal embryonic development, leading to a pattern of dysmorphogenesis known as the Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome. This embryopathy is characterized by growth retardation, microcephaly, mental deficiency, and craniofacial malformations, although the precise mechanism(s) by which phenytoin alters normal developmental pathways remains unknown. To better understand the molecular events involved in the pathogenesis of phenytoin-induced congenital defects, alterations in gene expression were examined during critical periods of craniofacial development. Pregnant SWV mice were administered phenytoin (60 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 6.5 until they were sacrificed at selected developmental time points. Tissue from the craniofacial region of control and exposed embryos was isolated, and samples were subjected to in situ transcription, antisense RNA amplification, and hybridization on reverse Northern blots to quantitatively assess expression of 36 candidate genes. Chronic phenytoin exposure significantly altered expression of several genes at distinct times during morphogenesis. Results of these studies show that expression of the retinoic acid receptors (RAR) alpha, beta, and gamma were significantly increased by phenytoin exposure. Elevations in gene expression of laminin beta 1, and the growth factors IGF-2, TGF alpha, and TGF beta 1, were also demonstrated in the craniofacial region of phenytoin-exposed embryos. As several of these genes are transcriptionally regulated by retinoic-acid-responsive elements in their promoter regions, phenytoin-induced alterations in expression of the RAR isoforms may have severe downstream consequences in the regulation of events necessary for normal craniofacial development. Such alterations occurring coordinately at critical times during craniofacial development may account for the dysmorphogenesis often associated with phenytoin exposure.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Mucinoprotein is a universal constituent of stable intercellular bridges in Drosophila melanogaster germ line and somatic cells.

Intercellular bridges formed by incomplete cytokinesis may be important in a variety of processes, including synchronization of mitotic and meiotic divisions in animal cells. Using specific antibodies against a mucin-type glycoprotein (Kramerov et al. [1996] FEBS Lett. 378:213-218) from Drosophila melanogaster cultured embryonic cells, we showed that this glycoprotein is located in all cytoplasmic bridges found in various germline and somatic tissues. In the ovary, immunostaining of ring canals connecting germ cells can be detected in the very early stages at the germarium region 1 where first gonial divisions take place, and the immunostaining appears to persist through late stages when transport of cytoplasm from nurse cells to a growing oocyte occurs. Each ring canal is made up of an outer and an inner rim. Mucin glycoprotein appears to be one of the first proteins localized to the outer rim, which is a derivative of the arrested cleavage furrow. The known ring canal proteins, phosphotyrosine-containing protein(s), F-actin, hts- and kelch proteins, are localized to the inner rim at a later developmental time. Similarly, mucin glycoprotein is recruited early to ring canals connecting mitotic primary spermatocytes in both larval and adult testes. Mucin glycoprotein was found to be present in intercellular bridges (small ring canals) in somatic cells, including follicular epithelium in ovary and imaginal disc cells. Intercellular bridges were observed for the first time in a subset of cells in the larval brain. Thus, mucin glycoprotein is the only protein hitherto found in all known types of stable intercellular bridges and may be an important constituent of a backbone needed for assembly and preservation of this particular type of cell-cell contact.

Animals↗

Fibulin-1, vitronectin, and fibronectin expression during avian cardiac valve and septa development.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been implicated as mediators of events important to valvuloseptal development (reviewed by Little and Rongish, Experentia, 51:873-882, 1995). The aim of this study was to identify connective tissue ECM proteins present at sites of valvuloseptal morphogenesis, and to determine how their patterns of expression change during the developmental process. METHODS: Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to examine the distribution of fibulin-1, vitronectin, and fibronectin in the embryonic chicken heart over a broad developmental time frame (Hamburger and Hamilton stages 14 to 44), emphasizing stages that illustrate endocardial cushion formation, growth, fusion, and development into valvuloseptal components. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Fibulin-1 immunolabeling was concentrated in endocardial cushions, notably at boundaries with the myocardium, during stages when the cushions are differentiating into valvular and septal components. Fibulin-1 was detected in the endocardial cushions prior to their seeding with cushion cells, but became undetectable by early midgestation. Vitronectin expression was similar to fibulin-1, but less restricted in its distribution. Vitronectin was observed before endocardial cushion cell migration commenced and persisted until the formation of prevalvular structures (early midgestation) in the atrioventricular cushions. Vitronectin remained detectable in the semilunar valves until late midgestation. Fibronectin was present in the endocardial cushion region and in portions of the endocardium and myocardium throughout the stages presented. Our data suggests that the ECM of the endocardial cushions undergoes remodelling in a regionally and temporally specific manner which corresponds with morphogenetic changes during valvuloseptal development.

Animals↗

Expression of the smooth-muscle proteins alpha-smooth-muscle actin and calponin, and of the intermediate filament protein desmin are parameters of cardiomyocyte maturation in the prenatal rat heart.

BACKGROUND: Coexpression of alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) is a characteristic of the primary myocardial tube. To establish if the smooth-muscle proteins alpha-smooth-muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and calponin, and the intermediate filament protein, desmin, contribute to the specific functional properties of these early cardiomyocytes, we studied their spatiotemporal expression pattern. METHODS: Sections of prenatal and neonatal Wistar rats were stained with antibodies against alpha- and beta-MHC, alpha-SMA, calponin, and desmin. RESULTS: The expression of alpha-SMA and calponin in embryonic cardiomyocytes increases to reach its highest level at ED14. Subsequently, these proteins gradually disappear, beginning in the interventricular septum (IVS) and followed successively by the compact myocardium of the left ventricle, the right ventricle, and the central atrium. Expression of alpha-SMA persists longer in the ventricular conduction system, making it a convenient marker for the ventricular conduction system of the fetal rat. Desmin becomes expressed one day later than alpha-SMA, but also reaches its peak at ED14, suggesting that a relatively high concentration is required to form mature sarcomeres. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that alpha-SMA, calponin, and desmin are involved in the myofibrillar development in rat heart. The presence of spatiotemporal differences in the expression of these proteins reveals regional differences in the developmental timing of cardiomyocyte maturation. The maturation process extends from the compact myocardium in the IVS to the left and right ventricular free walls, whereas the atrioventricular junction, the ventricular trabeculae, and developing ventricular conduction system show a relatively slow maturation. Smooth-muscle proteins may contribute to the slow shortening speed that is characteristic of the embryonic myocardium.

Actins↗

Short exposure to methylazoxymethanol causes a long-term inhibition of axonal outgrowth from cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons.

Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) is an alkylating agent that is used to induce microencephaly by killing mitotically active neuroblasts. We found that at later developmental times, MAM exposure can result in abnormal fiber growth in vivo. However, there have not been any previous studies on the effects of MAM on differentiating neurons. We examined the outcome of short exposure to MAM on postmitotic embryonic hippocampal cultures during the establishment of axonal polarity. At 0, 1, or 2 days in vitro (DIV), neurons were treated with 0.1 nM-1 microM MAM for 3 hr and then transferred to glial conditioned media. At 3 DIV, the cells were fixed and analyzed by immunofluorescent staining for neuron viability and differentiation. Control cells initiate several minor processes; one process elongates rapidly at about 1 DIV eventually becoming an axon, while extensive dendritic growth occurs after 3-4 DIV. Neurons treated with 1 microM MAM at 0 or 1 DIV showed a marked inhibition of neurite growth and withdrawal of axons without affecting cell viability. These cells continued to show minimal neurite outgrowth at 7 DIV, even when transferred to a glial coculture. In contrast, cells treated initially with MAM, after neuronal polarity is established at 2 DIV, showed no effect on axonal growth. To determine the effects of MAM on the neuronal cytoskeleton, we examined the in vitro assembly of brain microtubules in a one cycle assay. Exposure to MAM depleted the soluble pool of proteins, including microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) and MAP2, which are required for neurite outgrowth, through a nonspecific process. Under non-saturating conditions, there were no changes in the total amount of microtubules assembled or the coassembly of MAP1B and MAP2 in the presence of MAM. These results demonstrate that MAM can directly affect differentiating neurons, indicating that an early disruption of axonal outgrowth may have long-term effects.

Alkylating Agents↗

Is the development of orientation selectivity instructed by activity?

Is the development of orientation selectivity in visual cortex instructed by the patterns of neural activity of input neurons? We review evidence as to the role of activity, review models of activity-instructed development, and discuss how these models can be tested. The models can explain the normal development of simple cells with binocularly matched orientation preferences, the effects of monocular deprivation and reverse suture on the orientation map, and the development of a full intracortical circuit sufficient to explain mature response properties including the contrast-invariance of orientation tuning. Existing experiments are consistent with the models, in that (a) selective blockade of ON-center ganglion cells, which will degrade or eliminate the information predicted to drive development of orientation selectivity, in fact prevents development of orientation selectivity; and (b) the spontaneous activities of inputs serving the two eyes are correlated in the lateral geniculate nucleus at appropriate developmental times, as was predicted to be required to achieve binocular matching of preferred orientations. However, definitive tests remain to be done to firmly establish the instructive rather than simply permissive role of activity and determine whether the retinotopically and center type-specific patterns of activity predicted by the models actually exist. We conclude by critically examining alternative scenarios for the development of orientation selectivity and maps, including the idea that maps are genetically prespecified.

Animals↗

Transcription of the Dictyostelium glycogen phosphorylase-2 gene is induced by three large promoter domains.

The promoter of the Dictyostelium glycogen phosphorylase-2 (gp2) gene possesses a profound AT-bias, typical of promoters in this organism. To understand how Dictyostelium achieves specificity during transcriptional regulation under the constraint of this highly biased nucleotide composition, we have documented the changes in chromatin structure associated with developmental induction of gp2 gene expression. DNase I hypersensitive analyses indicated the presence of several developmentally regulated nuclease-sensitive sites located upstream of the start codon: two strong sites at approximately -250 bp and -350 bp and three substantially weaker sites at -290 bp, -445 bp, and -505 bp. In vitro footprint analyses using nuclear extracts derived from several stages of development (corresponding to varying levels of gp2 expression) revealed three large regions of occupation that were developmentally regulated and corresponded to these nuclease-sensitive sites: -227 to -294 bp (domain 1), -327 to -383 bp (domain 2), and -416 to -534 bp (domain 3). The presence and the extent of the three regulatory domains was confirmed by in vivo footprint analyses spanning the same developmental time points. Southwestern analyses using probes encompassing these footprints demonstrated that probes corresponding to domains 1 and 3 both interacted with 83 and 77 kDa peptides. The domain 3 probe also interacted with a 92 kDa peptide, while only a 62 kDa peptide is recognized by the domain 2 probe. In all cases, peptides capable of binding these probes were found in nuclear extracts derived from differentiated cells and not in undifferentiated cell nuclear extract. Using nuclear extract from differentiated cells and probes corresponding to the three domains, gel mobility shift analyses detected ladders of retarded bands for both domains 1 and 3 and three major retarded bands for domain 2. These results suggest that specificity in transcriptional activation in the AT-rich promoters of Dictyostelium may be achieved by requiring multiple protein-DNA and/or protein-protein interactions to occur before induction can proceed.

Animals↗

Maternal adrenalectomy at the early onset of gestation impairs the postnatal development of the rat hippocampal formation: effects on cell numbers and differentiation, connectivity and calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity.

The possible role of the maternal glucocorticoids on the postnatal development of the hippocampus was tested with bilateral adrenalectomy of pregnant rats. Surgery was performed 24 hr after sperm-positiveness was determined. The offspring from adrenalectomized mothers, compared with animals from control sham-operated mothers, showed decreased body weight and increased brain weight. The CA1 field of the hippocampus of these animals showed lower number of both Nissl-stained and Calbindin-immunoreactive cells, whereas the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus showed higher number of both populations. Both types of cell numbers were statistically similar from postnatal Day 21, however, suggesting some compensatory mechanism. The neuronal populations of adrenalectomized animals appeared with a delay in the development of their dendritic trees, cytoplasmic differentiation, and synaptic connections. In the same way, both septohippocampal and hippocamposeptal projections appeared delayed in the adrenalectomized animals with respect to control ones by several days, mainly with regard to regressive events typical of the first 8 days of age. The ultrastructural study showed that every ADX postnatal group appeared more immature than the corresponding control group. These results suggest that gestational levels of maternal glucocorticoids (that were removed by adrenalectomy) influence the normal postnatal development of the hippocampus as reflected in neuron numbers and cell maturation, as well as in the developmental timing of the pattern of connectivity, and that this effect must be accomplished both in neuroepithelium and post-mitotic cells before the endogenous fetal hormones are secreted and reach concentrations capable to produce a response.

Adrenalectomy↗

Developmental effects of a chimeric ultraspiracle gene derived from Drosophila and Chironomus.

The ultraspiracle (usp) gene encodes a nuclear receptor that forms a heterodimer with the ecdysone receptor (EcR) to mediate transcriptional responses to the insect steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE). The responses ultimately elicit changes associated with molting and metamorphosis. Although Ultraspiracle (USP) is required at several developmental times, it is unclear whether USP plays stage-specific roles in Drosophila. A chimeric transgene (d/cusp), produced by replacing the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Drosophila USP with the equivalent domain from another Diptera, Chironomus tentans, was tested for its ability to rescue Drosophila usp mutants from early larval lethality. A single copy of the d/cusp was sufficient to rescue transformants from several lines through larval development but they died suddenly during the late third instar. Additional doses of d/cusp were required to allow survival through the adult stage, but they did not restore a normal prepupal contraction. Thus, the arrest at the onset of metamorphosis apparently is caused by the impaired ability of the chimeric USP to mediate a stage-specific function associated with the LBD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Epigenetic rules for expression of cell adhesion molecules during morphogenesis.

From very early developmental times, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play key roles in linking cells together and regulating cell movement. By virtue of their capacity to link epithelia and condense mesenchyme, CAMs can act as mechanochemical regulators of morphogenesis. In the vertebrate species examined so far, CAMs appear in ordered sequences on cell surfaces during development. In this paper, evidence is reviewed indicating that the sequential expression of CAMs on cell surfaces at a variety of sites of embryonic induction follows a set of modulation rules that are first discernible at early gastrulation. These rules are related to the adhesion of cells in collectives and to the establishment of borders between such collectives. After gastrulation, all mesenchymal conversions employ N-CAM and show changes in its prevalence in a transition N----0----N where 0 means low or undetectable amounts of the CAM (rule I). In contrast, epithelia modulate from a state in which N-CAM and L-CAM appear simultaneously to the expression of only one or the other of these primary CAMs (rule II). At a variety of induction sites, cell collectives obeying rule I are found in proximity to cell collectives obeying rule II. During the morphogenesis of complex structures such as the feather or the optic placode, one can see a recursive application of these rules, reflecting the formation of significant histological boundaries within which the expression of gene products other than CAMs can lead to great morphological diversity. It is suggested that the genes for CAMs are regulated independently from and prior to those specifying intracellular proteins in a given tissue. According to this proposal, the existence of the epigenetic rules governing CAM expression reflects the evolutionary conservation of a key means of establishing tissue and animal form through the mechanochemical regulation of processes such as cell division, movement and death.

Animals↗

Aggression from a developmental perspective: genes, environments and interactions.

Genetic influences on the social behaviours of non-human mammals are ubiquitous, powerful and readily detected. But demonstrations that social behaviours are influenced by genes constitute only part of the story. Developmental findings have helped complete the picture. Specifically, these studies show that: (1) genetic effects for aggressive behaviours are highly malleable over the course of development; (2) genetic influences on aggressive behaviour are more dynamic, easily achieved and open to rapid manipulation than has been recognized in current models of social evolution and behavioural genetics; (3) developmental timing has a significant impact upon the nature of the genetic effects observed in aggressive behaviours. These empirical results are consistent with the view that social behaviours are among the first features to be influenced by genetic selection and by environmental experience. Social actions have distinctive properties in adaptation because they organize the space between the organism and the environment and promote rapid, selective and novel accommodations. The modern integrative view of the development of individual-in-context brings attention to the correlation between constraints within and external to individuals. This paper reviews findings on how these processes become integrated over time in individuals and species, and their implications for the nurture of nature.

Aggression↗

Evidence of a role for cell death in the disappearance of the embryonic human tail.

The development and disappearance of the human tail between stages 14 and 22 were studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, supravital staining and light microscopy. The tail is a prominent feature of the human embryo during stage 14 and is composed of paired somites, mesenchyme and extensions of the neural tube, notochord and gut. The tail grows with the embryo through early stage 17 when it extends more than a millimeter from the trunk. Overgrowth by the trunk at the base of the tail may account for the loss of part of its length during late stage 17 and stage 18. However, during stage 17 cells begin to die in all structures throughout the tail. Cell death continues in the succeeding stages reaching massive numbers by stages 18 and 19, and the tail becomes less and less prominent with developmental time. Most of the dead cells are phagocytosed. The debris-laden macrophages appear to migrate from the tail to the body. By late stage 21 or early stage 22 there is no free tail. We conclude that cell death has a major role in the destruction of tail structures and the concurrent loss of the human tail.

Cell Survival↗

Expression of SRY transcripts in preimplantation human embryos.

We have examined the expression of SRY mRNA in individual in vitro fertilized preimplantation human embryos; because of ethical constraints, these studies were confined to embryos with one and three pronuclei. Using a sensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, we observed SRY mRNA at the one-cell through the blastula stages but not in spermatozoa. These results indicate that the de novo transcription of this sex-specific gene occurs at a developmental time considerably earlier than that of gonadal differentiation. Our results also indicate that in vitro fertilized embryos with one pronucleus are likely to be diploid.

Adult↗

Dimensional and discrete dental trait asymmetry relationships.

Inuit (Eskimos) from the Foxe Basin region of the Northwest Territories, Canada, were studied to ascertain the amount of dimensional and morphological asymmetry in their dentitions. The results indicate that dimensional asymmetry does not appear to be greater on either the maxillary or mandibular teeth. Both types of asymmetry show partial conformity to the model of tooth fields with an increasing amount of asymmetry as one goes distally in each tooth group. The morphological asymmetry exception, the mandibular incisors, follows Dahlberg's "Field Concept." Rank-order correlations between the amount of dimensional asymmetry and morphological asymmetry reveal no detectable patterns. There appear to be no associations between the presence or absence of morphological asymmetry and the size of the tooth. This lack of association might be explained by differences in developmental timing of tooth dimensions and morphological traits; however, such a hypothesis requires experimental testing. In this population and those for which published results are available, it is practically impossible to overcome the "noise" level and test recent hypotheses regarding random dental asymmetry.

Canada↗

Growth and development of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae): effect of host age.

The tiny parasitoid wasp, Encarsia formosa, has been used successfully to control greenhouse whiteflies (GHWFs) in greenhouses in many countries throughout the world. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in developing methods for artificially rearing this wasp. However, little information is available concerning the regulation of its development including the host-parasitoid interactions that are required for the parasitoid to complete its life cycle. Here we confirm that parasitoid developmental rates differ significantly based upon the host instar parasitized. Development was faster when 3rd and 4th instar GHWFs were offered for parasitization than when 1st or 2nd instars were used. Our results show that it is primarily the embryo and the first two parasitoid instars that exhibit prolonged developmental times when 1st and 2nd instar whiteflies are parasitized. Although percent emergence was not affected by host age at the time of parasitization, adult longevity as well as adult emergence pattern varied greatly depending upon the instar parasitized. When 3rd and 4th instar GHWFs were selected for oviposition, adult wasps lived significantly longer than when 1st or 2nd instars were used; also, there was a sharp emergence peak on the 2nd day after emergence was first observed (reduced or absent when 1st or 2nd instar GHWFs were parasitized) and the emergence period was reduced from between 8 and 11 days to 5 days. In general, the younger the host instar parasitized, the less synchronous was parasitoid development. Previous reports that E. formosa will not molt to the 2nd instar until the host has reached its 4th instar were not confirmed. When 1st instar host nymphs were parasitized, 2nd instar parasitoids were detected in 3rd instar hosts. Importantly, however, no matter which instar was parasitized, the parasitoid never molted to its last instar until the host had reached Stage 5 of its last instar, a stage in which host pharate adult formation has been initiated. It appears, then, that a condition(s) associated with host pharate adult formation is required for the parasitoid's final larval molt. Results reported here should facilitate the development of in vitro rearing systems for E. formosa.

Age Factors↗

The insect growth regulator insecticide cyromazine causes earlier emergence in Drosophila melanogaster.

The insecticide cyromazine, classified as an insect growth regulator, inhibits the growth and development of Diptera. The precise mode of cyromazine action remains unknown. We investigated mortality and developmental time effects after exposing first instar Drosophila melanogaster larvae to cyromazine for 8-h intervals. Significant increases in mortality were only observed for cyromazine exposure within the first 16 h of the first instar stage, suggesting that cyromazine accumulates in the larvae over time and that there is a delay between cyromazine exposure and effect. We observed that exposure to cyromazine during the early first instar stage resulted in earlier eclosion of adults when compared to cyromazine exposure at later first instar stages. The presence of 20-hydroxyecdysone during cyromazine exposure significantly reduced the lethal effect of cyromazine. We raise the possibility that the mode of cyromazine action is related to the development hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone.

Analysis of Variance↗

Challenging the dogma: the hidden layer of non-protein-coding RNAs in complex organisms.

The central dogma of biology holds that genetic information normally flows from DNA to RNA to protein. As a consequence it has been generally assumed that genes generally code for proteins, and that proteins fulfil not only most structural and catalytic but also most regulatory functions, in all cells, from microbes to mammals. However, the latter may not be the case in complex organisms. A number of startling observations about the extent of non-protein-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcription in the higher eukaryotes and the range of genetic and epigenetic phenomena that are RNA-directed suggests that the traditional view of the structure of genetic regulatory systems in animals and plants may be incorrect. ncRNA dominates the genomic output of the higher organisms and has been shown to control chromosome architecture, mRNA turnover and the developmental timing of protein expression, and may also regulate transcription and alternative splicing. This paper re-examines the available evidence and suggests a new framework for considering and understanding the genomic programming of biological complexity, autopoietic development and phenotypic variation.

Alternative Splicing↗