On the role of TFEC in reptilian coloration

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Reptilian species, particularly snakes and lizards, are emerging models of animal coloration. Here, I focus on the role TFEC transcription factor in snake lizard coloration based a study wild-type piebald ball pythons. Genomic mapping previously identified mutation linked to python phenotype. The association with skin was further supported by gene-editing experiments brown anole lizard. However, novel histological analyses presented here reveal discrepancies between mutants phenotype, cautioning against broad generalizations. Indeed, both pythons completely lack iridophores, whereas lose their iridophores compared anole. Based these findings, discuss potential MiT/TFE family pigmentation across vertebrate lineages advocate need for developmental additional explore reptilian diversity.

Language: Английский

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Melanin deposition and key molecular features in Xenopus tropicalis oocytes

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Melanin pigmentation in oocytes is a critical feature for both the esthetic and developmental aspects of oocytes, influencing their polarity overall development. Despite substantial knowledge melanogenesis melanocytes retinal pigment epithelium cells, molecular mechanisms underlying oocyte remain largely unknown. Here, we compare wild-type, tyr−/− mitf−/− Xenopus tropicalis found that exhibit normal melanin deposition at animal pole, whereas show no this site. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed proceeds normally, similar to wild-type oocytes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed still express melanogenesis-related genes, enabling them complete melanogenesis. Additionally, expression MiT subfamily factor tfe3 relatively high, while tfeb, mitf, tfec levels are extremely low. The pattern tyr other genes. Thus, independent Mitf may be regulated by factors such as Tfe3, which control genes like tyr, dct, tyrp1. Furthermore, transcriptomic data changes related mitochondrial cloud formation represent most significant during Overall, these findings suggest further elucidation Tyr-dependent Mitf-independent pole will enhance our understanding Oogenesis.

Language: Английский

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Dominant Negative Mitf Allele Impacts Melanophore and Xanthophore Development and Reveals Collaborative Interactions With Tfec in Zebrafish Chromatophore Lineages

Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 38(2)

Published: March 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Ectothermic vertebrates exhibit a diverse array of pigment cell types—chromatophores—that provide valuable opportunities to uncover mechanisms fate specification and how they evolve. Like melanocytes mammals, the melanophores teleosts other ectotherms depend on basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper transcription factors encoded by orthologues MITF . A different chromatophore, iridescent iridophore, depends closely related factor Tfec. Requirements for chromatophore lineages remain largely uncertain. Here we identify new allele zebrafish Mitf gene, mitfa , that results in complete absence not only but also yellow‐orange xanthophores. Harboring missense substitution DNA‐binding domain identical previously isolated alleles mouse, show this has defects precursor survival xanthophore differentiation extend beyond those loss‐of‐function. Additional genetic analyses revealed interactions between Mitfa Tfec as likely basis observed phenotypes. Our findings point collaborative roles promoting development, particularly lineages, insights into evolutionary aspects functions across vertebrates.

Language: Английский

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Comparison of Transcriptome Differences in Scales of Two Closely Related Snake Species (Lycodon rufozonatus and Lycodon rosozonatus)

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(7), P. 1061 - 1061

Published: April 6, 2025

The diversity of skin colors observed in reptiles is indicative their adaptation to different ecological niches, with these color variations playing essential roles survival and reproduction. present study focused on two closely related species (Lycodon rufozonatus Lycodon rosozonatus) within the genus that exhibit closest morphological similarities. We performed RNA sequencing scales both obtained 350,346,591 331,537,523 clean reads, respectively. A comparative analysis Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) Gene Ontology (GO) databases revealed exhibited similar patterns gene enrichment. Nevertheless, results PCA t-SNE demonstrated notable differences between diverse species. Concurrently, we conducted a color-related genes differentially expressed genes, which three exhibiting disparities: RU_DN1145_c3_g2 (mreg), RU_DN10511_c0_g1 (notch1), Unigene11172 (notch1). In light aforementioned results, hypothesize discrepancy scale attributable alterations specific loci expression levels. data presented herein provide molecular basis for future studies genetic habitat functions reptiles.

Language: Английский

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Ultrastructural studies distinguish skin diversities among Galápagos iguanas

Biology Direct, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Feb. 4, 2025

Iguanas exhibit diverse colors and behaviors reflecting evolutionarily adaptation to various habitats; in particular, the Galápagos iguanas represent unique color morphologies with distinct ecological niches. While external coloration has implications, comprehensive studies on histological ultrastructural aspects of their skin can provide insight into extreme environments, such as high UV exposure. Starting from these considerations present study investigates histological, immunohistochemical features comprehensively characterize adults three species (A. cristatus, C. subcristatus marthae). Morphological analysis revealed significant differences among species, black-colored A. cristatus showing a melanin-rich but vessel-poor dermis, while marthae displayed varying distributions melanosomes melanocytes. Notably, absence iridophores was consistent across all samples due birefringent material under optical microscope. Morphometric evaluations highlighted interspecific stratum corneum thickness, particularly between black- non-black-colored (irrespectively if yellowish or pink) skin. The investigation confirmed analyzed samples. cytokeratin expression assessed by immunohistochemistry showed stratified epithelium epidermis (pink) presence thickened stratification non-pigmented could help pink iguana cope conditions Wolf volcano, especially relation These characteristics may reduce penetration power rays superficial loose thereby attenuating potential UV-related damage DNA breaks ROS generation. findings offer insights adaptive strategies iguanas.

Language: Английский

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GTP cyclohydrolase II (gch2) and axanthism in ball pythons: A new vertebrate model for pterin‐based pigmentation

Animal Genetics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 56(2)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Pterin pigments are responsible for many of the bright colors observed across animal kingdom. However, unlike melanin, genetics pterin‐based pigmentation has received relatively little attention in coloration studies. Here, we investigate a lineage axanthic ball pythons ( Python regius ) found captivity as model system to study pterin vertebrates. By crowdsourcing shed skin samples from commercial breeders and applying case–control design, used whole‐genome pool sequencing (pool‐seq) variant annotation. We identified premature stop codon gene GTP cyclohydrolase II gch2 ), which is associated with phenotype. GCH2 catalyzes first rate‐limiting step riboflavin biosynthesis. This provides identification an axanthism‐associated vertebrates highlights utility pigmentation.

Language: Английский

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Editorial: Biological and physical basis of the development of integument and associated structures

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: May 6, 2025

Language: Английский

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Stripes and loss of color in ball pythons (Python regius) are associated with variants affecting endothelin signaling

G3 Genes Genomes Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(7)

Published: May 16, 2023

Color patterns in nonavian reptiles are beautifully diverse, but little is known about the genetics and development of these patterns. Here, we investigated color patterning pet ball pythons (Python regius), which have been bred to show phenotypes that differ dramatically from wildtype form. We report several animals associated with putative loss-of-function variants gene encoding endothelin receptor EDNRB1: (1) frameshift EDNRB1 conversion normal mottled pattern skin almost fully white, (2) missense affecting conserved sites protein dorsal, longitudinal stripes, (3) substitutions at splice donors subtle changes compared wildtype. propose caused by loss specialized cells (chromatophores), ranging severe (fully white) moderate (dorsal striping) mild (subtle patterning). Our study first describe signaling a reptile suggests reductions can produce variety phenotypes, depending on degree cell loss.

Language: Английский

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PMEL is involved in snake colour pattern transition from blotches to stripes

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Sept. 3, 2024

Abstract Corn snakes are emerging models for animal colouration studies. Here, we focus on the Terrazzo morph, whose skin pattern is characterized by stripes rather than blotches. Using genome mapping, discover a disruptive mutation in coding region of Premelanosome protein ( PMEL ) gene. Our transcriptomic analyses reveal that expression significantly downregulated embryonic tissues. We produce corn snake knockouts, which present comparable phenotype to and subcellular structure their melanosomes xanthosomes also similarly impacted. single-cell wild-type dorsal demonstrate all chromatophore progenitors express at varying levels. Finally, show embryos -expressing cells initially uniformly spread before forming aggregates eventually blotches, as seen adults. In embryos, fail form. results provide insights into mechanisms governing patterning reptiles.

Language: Английский

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A new cell culture resource for investigations of reptilian gene function

Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 151(22)

Published: Nov. 15, 2024

ABSTRACT The establishment of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in Anolis sagrei has positioned this species as a powerful model for studies reptilian function. To enhance model, we developed an immortalized lizard fibroblast cell line (ASEC-1) the exploration function cellular processes. We demonstrate use by scrutinizing role primary cilia Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Using mutagenesis, disrupted ift88 gene, which is required ciliogenesis diverse organisms. determined that loss itf88 from cells leads to absence cilia, partial derepression gli1 transcription, and inability respond Smoothened agonist, SAG. Through cross-species analysis SAG-induced transcriptional responses cultured limb bud cells, further ∼46% genes induced response Hh pathway activation A. are also SAG responsive Mus musculus cells. Our results highlight conserved diverged aspects signaling anoles establish new resource investigations

Language: Английский

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