Wbp2nl has a developmental role in establishing neural and non-neural ectodermal fates

Abstract

In many animals, maternally synthesized mRNAs are critical for primary germ layer formation. In Xenopus, several maternal mRNAs are enriched in the animal blastomere progenitors of the embryonic ectoderm. We previously identified one of these, WW-domain binding protein 2 N-terminal like (wbp2nl), that others previously characterized as a sperm protein (PAWP) that promotes meiotic resumption. Herein we demonstrate that it has an additional developmental role in regionalizing the embryonic ectoderm. Knock-down of Wbp2nl in the dorsal ectoderm reduced cranial placode and neural crest gene expression domains and expanded neural plate domains; knock-down in ventral ectoderm reduced epidermal gene expression. Conversely, increasing levels of Wbp2nl in the neural plate induced ectopic epidermal and neural crest gene expression and repressed many neural plate and cranial placode genes. The effects in the neural plate appear to be mediated, at least in part, by down-regulating chd, a BMP antagonist. Because the cellular function of Wbp2nl is not known, we mutated several predicted motifs. Expressing mutated proteins in embryos showed that a putative phosphorylation site at Thr45 and an α-helix in the PH-G domain are required to ectopically induce epidermal and neural crest genes in the neural plate. An intact YAP-binding motif also is required for ectopic epidermal gene expression as well as for down-regulating chd. This work reveals novel developmental roles for a cytoplasmic protein that promotes epidermal and neural crest formation at the expense of neural ectoderm.

Multi- and Transgenerational Effects of Developmental Exposure to Environmental Levels of PFAS and PFAS Mixture in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Little is known about the Danio rerio gene si:dkey-14d8; it is predicted to be involved in collagen fibril organization [40]. The F2 gene wbp2nl encodes a sperm protein that promotes oocyte fertilization [41]. This gene was upregulated by PFOS and mixture exposure (log2 fold change 1.20, 0.85, respectively) but downregulated by PFOA exposure (log2 fold change −1.23).…”

Using Xenopus to discover new candidate genes involved in BOR and other congenital hearing loss syndromes

“…A surprising candidate Six1 target is XB5850668, an uncharacterized sulfotransferase. We recently found that it is required for the proper proportioning of the embryonic ectoderm into the neural plate, neural crest, PPE, and epidermis (Marchak et al, 2023). Significantly, the loss of XB5850668 reduced the expression of a number of otic vesicle genes, including Irx1 .…”

Genome-wide association study on milk production and somatic cell score for Thai dairy cattle using weighted single-step approach with random regression test-day model

“…Several genes were also identified as candidate genes for fat percentage; however, they are also linked to reproductive system and embryo development. These genes are USHBP1, MYO9B, HAUS8, SIN3B, NWD1, SLC35E1, USP18, WBP2NL, COMMD2, MIR34A, SLC45A1, ERRFI1, PARK7, TNFRSF9, UTS2, and CAMTA1 (Tong et al, 2006;Malcuit et al, 2009;Forde et al, 2011;Miyamoto et al, 2011;Labrecque et al, 2013;Santonocito et al, 2013;Waters et al, 2014;Crisà et al, 2016;Li et al, 2016;Zielak-Steciwko and Evans, 2016;Biase, 2017;Mallam and Marcotte, 2017;Marchak et al, 2017;Yamada and Sakakibara, 2018;Sánchez et al, 2019). Although the aforementioned genes could be indirectly linked to fat percentage, other candidate genes were also identified within regions associated with this trait.…”

“…miR30B, ZFAT, and BIK were found to influence a cell death mechanism and may be related to SCS (Germain et al, 2005;Fujimoto et al, 2009;Tang et al, 2012). Several genes were previously reported to be linked to embryo development and fertility traits, including USHBP1, MYO9B, HAUS8, SIN3B, NWD1, and WBP2NL (Tong et al, 2006;Labrecque et al, 2013;Waters et al, 2014;Marchak et al, 2017;Yamada and Sakakibara, 2018;Sánchez et al, 2019). Previously, LOC101903327 and LOC101902172 were reported to be candidates for longevity traits and heat resistance, respectively (Jiang et al, 2019a,b).…”