Biology subjects

Fürthauer, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Fürthauer, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

The evolutionary conserved choroid plexus sustains the homeostasis of brain ventricles in zebrafish

The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by transport of electrolytes and water from the vasculature to the brain ventricles. The choroid plexus plays additional roles in brain development and homeostasis by secreting neurotrophic molecules, and by serving as a CSF-blood barrier and immune interface. Prior studies have identified transporters on the epithelial cells that transport water and ions into the ventricles and tight junctions involved in the CSF-blood barrier. Yet, how the choroid plexus epithelial cells maintain the brain ventricle system and control brain physiology remain unresolved. To provide novel insights into the physiological roles of the choroid plexus, we use juvenile and adult zebrafish as model systems. Upon histological and transcriptomic analyses, we first identified that the zebrafish choroid plexus is highly conserved with the mammalian choroid plexus and that it expresses all transporters necessary for CSF secretion. Using novel genetic lines, we also identified that the choroid plexus secretes proteins into the CSF. Next, we generated a transgenic line allowing us to ablate specifically the epithelial cells in the choroid plexus. Using the ablation system, we identified a reduction of the ventricular sizes, but no alterations of the CSF-blood barrier. Altogether, our findings identified that the zebrafish choroid plexus is evolutionarily conserved and critical for maintaining the size and homeostasis of the brain ventricles. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=163 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/565468v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (42K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1594039org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@877b99org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c3834forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e1f787_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIThe zebrafish choroid plexus has similar anatomical features with the mammalian choroid plexus. C_LIO_LIThe expression of choroid plexus transporters involved in CSF secretion is evolutionarily conserved across vertebrates. C_LIO_LIGeneration of a novel choroid plexus specific driver line shows that the choroid plexus epithelial cells secrete proteins into CSF. C_LIO_LIAblation of the choroid plexus decreases the size of the brain ventricles. C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Mindbomb1 controls zebrafish Planar Cell Polarity

Vertebrate Delta/Notch signaling involves multiple ligands, receptors and transcription factors. Delta endocytosis - a critical event for Notch activation - is however essentially controlled by the E3 Ubiquitin ligase Mindbomb1 (Mib1). Due to its position at a molecular bottleneck of the pathway, Mib1 inactivation is often used to inhibit Notch signaling. However, recent findings indicate that the importance of Mib1 extends beyond the Notch pathway. We report an essential role of Mib1 in Planar Cell Polarity (PCP). mib1 null mutants or morphants display impaired gastrulation stage Convergence Extension (CE) movements. Comparison of different mib1 mutants and functional rescue experiments indicate that Mib1 controls CE independently of Notch. In contrast, Mib1-dependent CE defects can be rescued using the PCP downstream mediator RhoA. Mib1 regulates CE through the RING Finger domains that have been implicated in substrate ubiquitination, suggesting that Mib1 may control PCP protein trafficking. Accordingly, we show that Mib1 controls the endocytosis of the PCP component Ryk and that Ryk internalization is required for CE. Numerous morphogenetic processes involve both Notch and PCP signaling. We show that Mib1, a known Notch signaling regulator, is also an essential PCP pathway component. Care should therefore be taken when interpreting Mib1 loss of function phenotypes.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Myosin1D is an evolutionarily conserved determinant of animal Left/Right asymmetry

The establishment of Left/Right (LR) asymmetry is fundamental to animal development. While the pathways governing antero-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning are well conserved among different phyla, divergent mechanisms have been implicated in the specification of LR asymmetry in vertebrates and invertebrates. A cilia-driven, directional fluid flow is important for symmetry breaking in numerous vertebrates, including zebrafish1-10. Alternatively, LR asymmetry can be established independently of motile cilia, notably through the intrinsic chirality of the acto-myosin cytoskeleton11-18. Here we show that MyosiniD (Myo1D), which has been previously identified as a key determinant of LR asymmetry in Drosophila12,13, is essential for the formation and the function of the zebrafish LR Organizer (LRO). We show that Myo1D controls the polarity of LRO cilia and interacts functionally with the Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) gene VanGogh-like2 (Vangl2)19, to promote the establishment of a functional LRO flow. Our findings identify Myo1D as the first evolutionarily conserved determinant of LR asymmetry, and show that functional interactions between Myo1D and PCP are central to the establishment of animal LR asymmetry.

developmental biology↗