An ancient apical patterning system sets the position of the forebrain in chordates
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(4)
Published: Jan. 24, 2025
The
evolutionary
origin
of
the
vertebrate
brain
remains
a
major
subject
debate,
as
its
development
from
dorsal
tubular
neuroepithelium
is
unique
to
chordates.
To
shed
light
on
emergence
brain,
we
compared
anterior
neuroectoderm
across
deuterostome
species,
using
available
single-cell
datasets
sea
urchin,
amphioxus,
and
zebrafish
embryos.
We
identified
conserved
gene
co-expression
module,
comparable
regulatory
network
(aGRN)
controlling
apical
organ
in
ambulacrarians,
spatially
mapped
it
by
multiplexed
situ
hybridization
developing
retina
hypothalamus
Using
functional
approaches,
show
Wnt
signaling
regulating
this
module
like
aGRN
echinoderms,
that
overactivation
suppresses
forebrain
identity.
This
suggests
previously
undescribed
role
for
amphioxus
determining
position
forebrain.
propose
Wnt-regulated
possible
mechanism
which
set
antero-dorsally
early
chordate
evolution.
Language: Английский
A feather star is born: embryonic development and nervous system organization in the crinoid Antedon mediterranea
Open Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(8)
Published: Aug. 1, 2024
Crinoids
belong
to
the
Echinodermata,
marine
invertebrates
with
a
highly
derived
adult
pentaradial
body
plan.
As
sister
group
all
other
extant
echinoderms,
crinoids
occupy
key
phylogenetic
position
explore
evolutionary
history
of
whole
phylum.
However,
their
development
remains
understudied
compared
that
echinoderms.
Therefore,
aim
here
was
establish
Mediterranean
feather
star
(
Antedon
mediterranea
)
as
an
experimental
system
for
developmental
biology.
We
first
set
up
method
culturing
embryos
in
vitro
and
defined
standardized
staging
this
species.
then
optimized
protocols
characterize
morphological
molecular
main
structures
Focusing
on
nervous
system,
we
showed
larval
apical
organ
includes
serotonergic,
GABAergic
glutamatergic
neurons,
which
develop
within
conserved
anterior
signature.
described
composition
early
post-metamorphic
revealed
it
has
These
results
further
our
knowledge
crinoid
provide
new
techniques
investigate
embryogenesis.
This
will
pave
way
inclusion
comparative
studies
addressing
origin
echinoderm
plan
diversification
deuterostomes.
Language: Английский