SUMMARYPatterning of the upper versus lower face involves generating distinct pre-skeletal identities along the dorsoventral (DV) axes of the pharyngeal arches. Whereas previous studies have shown roles for BMPs, Endothelin 1 (Edn1) and Jagged1b-Notch2 in DV patterning of the facial skeleton, how these pathways are integrated to generate different skeletal fates has remained unclear. Here, we show that BMP and Edn1 signaling have distinct roles in development of the ventral and intermediate skeletons, respectively, of the zebrafish face. Using transgenic gain-of-function approaches and cell-autonomy experiments, we find that BMPs strongly promote hand2 and msxe expression in ventral skeletal precursors, while Edn1 promotes the expression of nkx3.2 and three Dlx genes (dlx3b, dlx5a and dlx6a) in intermediate precursors. Furthermore, Edn1 and Jagged1b pattern the intermediate and dorsal facial skeletons in part by inducing the BMP antagonist Gremlin 2 (Grem2), which restricts BMP activity to the ventral-most face. We therefore propose a model in which later cross-inhibitory interactions between BMP and Edn1 signaling, in part mediated by Grem2, separate an initially homogenous ventral region into distinct ventral and intermediate skeletal precursor domains.

No abstract

No abstract

Hibernating ground squirrels do not show slow to fast myosin heavy‐chain (MyHC) isoform transitions with atrophy, and we test whether increased muscle loading would also fail to produce typical MyHC isoform shifts. Field‐caught, Summer‐active ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) were assessed for the responsiveness of hindlimb plantaris muscles to mechanical overload through synergist surgical ablation. Plantaris muscles of surgical animals were 40% larger than controls after 14 days, but did not show any of the expected shifts in MyHC isoform expression. We also measured MyHC isoform mRNA expression, citrate synthase activity, and the expression of a suite of genes involved in the control of skeletal muscle mass and MyHC isoform expression, including MAFbx, MuRF1, FOXO1, IGF1 and IGFBP5, and myostatin. Our results show an unusual insensitivity of hibernator muscles to mechanical overload induced isoform shifts, yet muscle mass was increased, which has implications for isoform expression and muscle adaptations during hibernation. Funding sources: NIH SCORE, NIH RISE, CSULB.

No abstract