Kohji Hotta

A web‐based interactive developmental table for the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, including 3D real‐image embryo reconstructions: I. From fertilized egg to hatching larva

The ascidian chordate Ciona intestinalis is an established model organism frequently exploited to examine cellular development and a rapidly emerging model organism with a strong potential for developmental systems biology studies. However, there is no standardized developmental table for this organism. In this study, we made the standard web‐based image resource called FABA: Four‐dimensional Ascidian Body Atlas including ascidians three‐dimensional (3D) and cross‐sectional images through the developmental time course. These images were reconstructed from more than 3,000 high‐resolution real images collected by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at newly defined 26 distinct developmental stages (stages 1–26) from fertilized egg to hatching larva, which were grouped into six periods named the zygote, cleavage, gastrula, neurula, tailbud, and larva periods. Our data set will be helpful in standardizing developmental stages for morphology comparison as well as for providing the guideline for several functional studies of a body plan in chordate. Developmental Dynamics 236:1790–1805, 2007.

The ANISEED database: Digital representation, formalization, and elucidation of a chordate developmental program

Developmental biology aims to understand how the dynamics of embryonic shapes and organ functions are encoded in linear DNA molecules. Thanks to recent progress in genomics and imaging technologies, systemic approaches are now used in parallel with small-scale studies to establish links between genomic information and phenotypes, often described at the subcellular level. Current model organism databases, however, do not integrate heterogeneous data sets at different scales into a global view of the developmental program. Here, we present a novel, generic digital system, NISEED, and its implementation, ANISEED, to ascidians, which are invertebrate chordates suitable for developmental systems biology approaches. ANISEED hosts an unprecedented combination of anatomical and molecular data on ascidian development. This includes the first detailed anatomical ontologies for these embryos, and quantitative geometrical descriptions of developing cells obtained from reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) embryos up to the gastrula stages. Fully annotated gene model sets are linked to 30,000 high-resolution spatial gene expression patterns in wild-type and experimentally manipulated conditions and to 528 experimentally validated cis-regulatory regions imported from specialized databases or extracted from 160 literature articles. This highly structured data set can be explored via a Developmental Browser, a Genome Browser, and a 3D Virtual Embryo module. We show how integration of heterogeneous data in ANISEED can provide a system-level understanding of the developmental program through the automatic inference of gene regulatory interactions, the identification of inducing signals, and the discovery and explanation of novel asymmetric divisions.

Simultaneous Live Cell Imaging Using Dual FRET Sensors with a Single Excitation Light

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescent proteins is a powerful tool for visualization of signal transduction in living cells, and recently, some strategies for imaging of dual FRET pairs in a single cell have been reported. However, these necessitate alteration of excitation light between two different wavelengths to avoid the spectral overlap, resulting in sequential detection with a lag time. Thus, to follow fast signal dynamics or signal changes in highly motile cells, a single-excitation dual-FRET method should be required. Here we reported this by using four-color imaging with a single excitation light and subsequent linear unmixing to distinguish fluorescent proteins. We constructed new FRET sensors with Sapphire/RFP to combine with CFP/YFP, and accomplished simultaneous imaging of cAMP and cGMP in single cells. We confirmed that signal amplitude of our dual FRET measurement is comparable to of conventional single FRET measurement. Finally, we demonstrated to monitor both intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP in highly motile cardiac myocytes. To cancel out artifacts caused by the movement of the cell, this method expands the applicability of the combined use of dual FRET sensors for cell samples with high motility.

Brachyury‐downstream gene sets in a chordate, Ciona intestinalis: integrating notochord specification, morphogenesis and chordate evolution

SUMMARY In vertebrates, Brachyury, a T‐box transcription factor gene, seems to have a dual role in the differentiation of axial midline mesoderm cells into notochord and gastrulation cell movements regulated by non‐canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signaling. To understand the function of Brachyury‐downstream genes in chordate embryos, from a series of our survey on differential expression, including subtractive hybridization, dot‐blot assays, EST sequences and the expression patterns in whole‐mount in situ hybridization at embryonic stages, we developed a knowledge database called “CINOBI: CionaNotochord and Brachyury‐downstream gene Index” to create comprehensive catalogues of Brachyury‐downstream gene sets in Ciona intestinalis. Combining genome and large‐scale cDNA data, we were able to characterize 450 non‐redundant Brachyury‐downstream genes: Twenty‐four genes were newly annotated as notochord‐expressed genes. Several genes are components of signaling pathways such as Wnt/PCP, NfκB and TGF‐β signaling. We propose that Brachyury is linked to these pathways regulating the expression of each component, and such a regulatory mechanism might be conserved among chordates.

Newly developed Mg2+-selective fluorescent probe enables visualization of Mg2+ dynamics in mitochondria.

Mg2+ plays important roles in numerous cellular functions. Mitochondria take part in intracellular Mg2+ regulation and the Mg2+ concentration in mitochondria affects the synthesis of ATP. However, there are few methods to observe Mg2+ in mitochondria in intact cells. Here, we have developed a novel Mg2+–selective fluorescent probe, KMG-301, that is functional in mitochondria. This probe changes its fluorescence properties solely depending on the Mg2+ concentration in mitochondria under physiologically normal conditions. Simultaneous measurements using this probe together with a probe for cytosolic Mg2+, KMG-104, enabled us to compare the dynamics of Mg2+ in the cytosol and in mitochondria. With this method, carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP)–induced Mg2+ mobilization from mitochondria to the cytosol was visualized. Although a FCCP–induced decrease in the Mg2+ concentration in mitochondria and an increase in the cytosol were observed both in differentiated PC12 cells and in hippocampal neurons, the time-courses of concentration changes varied with cell type. Moreover, the relationship between mitochondrial Mg2+ and Parkinsons disease was analyzed in a cellular model of Parkinsons disease by using the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+). A gradual decrease in the Mg2+ concentration in mitochondria was observed in response to MPP+ in differentiated PC12 cells. These results indicate that KMG-301 is useful for investigating Mg2+ dynamics in mitochondria. All animal procedures to obtain neurons from Wistar rats were approved by the ethical committee of Keio University (permit number is 09106-(1)).

Peptidomic Analysis of the Central Nervous System of the Protochordate, Ciona intestinalis: Homologs and Prototypes of Vertebrate Peptides and Novel Peptides

The phylogenetic position of ascidians as the chordate invertebrates closest to vertebrates suggests that they might possess homologs and/or prototypes of vertebrate peptide hormones and neuropeptides as well as ascidian-specific peptides. However, only a small number of peptides have so far been identified in ascidians. In the present study, we have identified various peptides in the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis. Mass spectrometry-based peptidomic analysis detected 33 peptides, including 26 novel peptides, from C. intestinalis. The ascidian peptides are largely classified into three categories: 1) prototypes and homologs of vertebrate peptides, such as galanin/galanin-like peptide, which have never been identified in any invertebrates; 2) peptides partially homologous with vertebrate peptides, including novel neurotesin-like peptides; 3) novel peptides. These results not only provide evidence that C. intestinalis possesses various homologs and prototypes of vertebrate neuropeptides and peptide hormones but also suggest that several of these peptides might have diverged in the ascidian-specific evolutionary lineage. All Ciona peptide genes were expressed in the neural complex, whereas several peptide gene transcripts were also distributed in peripheral tissues, including the ovary. Furthermore, a Ciona neurotensin-like peptide, C. intestinalis neurotensin-like peptide 6, was shown to down-regulate growth of Ciona vitellogenic oocytes. These results suggest that the Ciona peptides act not only as neuropeptides in the neural tissue but also as hormones in nonneuronal tissues and that ascidians, unlike other invertebrates, such as nematodes, insects, and sea urchins, established an evolutionary origin of the peptidergic neuroendocrine, endocrine, and nervous systems of vertebrates with certain specific molecular diversity.

Brachyury-downstream notochord genes and convergent extension in Ciona intestinalis embryos

Formation of the chordate body is accomplished by a complex set of morphogenetic movements including convergent extension of notochord cells. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, Brachyury plays a key role in the formation of the notochord, and more than 30 Bra‐downstream notochord genes have been identified. In the present study, we examined the effects of functional suppression of nine Bra‐downstream notochord genes, which include Ci‐PTP, Ci‐ACL, Ci‐prickle, Ci‐netrin, Ci‐trop, Ci‐Noto3, Ci‐ASAK, Ci‐ERM and Ci‐pellino. When the function of the first two genes (Ci‐PTP and Ci‐ACL) was suppressed with specific morpholinos, the notochord cells failed to converge, while functional suppression of Ci‐prickle resulted in a failure of intercalation, and therefore the cells in these three types of embryo remained in the mid‐dorsal region of the embryo. Functional suppression of the next four genes (Ci‐netrin, Ci‐trop, Ci‐Noto3 and Ci‐ASAK) resulted in the partial defect of intercalation, and the notochord did not consist of a single row. In addition, when the function of the last two genes (Ci‐ERM and Ci‐pellino) was suppressed, notochord cells failed to elongate in the embryo, even though convergence/extension took place normally. These results indicate that many Bra‐downstream notochord genes are involved in convergence/extension of the embryo.

Blue Fluorescent cGMP Sensor for Multiparameter Fluorescence Imaging

Cyclic GMP (cGMP) regulates many physiological processes by cooperating with the other signaling molecules such as cyclic AMP (cAMP) and Ca2+. Genetically encoded sensors for cGMP have been developed based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescent proteins. However, to analyze the dynamic relationship among these second messengers, combined use of existing sensors in a single cell is inadequate because of the significant spectral overlaps. A single wavelength indicator is an effective alternative to avoid this problem, but color variants of a single fluorescent protein-based biosensor are limited. In this study, to construct a new color fluorescent sensor, we converted the FRET-based sensor into a single wavelength indicator using a dark FRET acceptor. We developed a blue fluorescent cGMP biosensor, which is spectrally compatible with a FRET-based cAMP sensor using cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins (CFP/YFP). We cotransfected them and loaded a red fluorescent probe for Ca2+ into cells, and accomplished triple-parameter fluorescence imaging of these cyclic nucleotides and Ca2+, confirming the applicability of this combination to individually monitor their dynamics in a single cell. This blue fluorescent sensor and the approach using this FRET pair would be useful for multiparameter fluorescence imaging to understand complex signal transduction networks.

Three-dimensional anatomy of the Ciona intestinalis tailbud embryo at single-cell resolution

During embryogenesis, chordates pass through a tailbud stage in which the larval tail is formed. Since acquisition of a tadpole-like tail during tailbud stage is one of the key events in the evolution of chordates, understanding the anatomy of the tailbud stage chordate embryo is of special interest. In this study, to understand comprehensively the anatomy of the tailbud embryo at single-cell-level, real microscopic image stacks of the tailbud embryo in Ciona intestinalis were reconstructed into a 3D computer model. This comprehensive 3D model of the ascidian tailbud embryo was based on real images of confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and therefore, cell shape, location and cell arrangement reflect real geometries of the tailbud embryo. We found that the tailbud embryo consists of 1579 cells, including 836 epidermal cells, 228 cells in the central nervous system, 218 mesenchymal cells, four trunk ventral cells, two B/B(⁎)8.11 cells, 36 muscle cells, 40 notochord cells, four primordial germ cells, and 199 endodermal cells. Moreover, we identified for the first time two populations of previously undefined cells (a total of 12 cells) in Ciona: one located in the lateral trunk and the other located under the tail dorsal epidermis. This information provides a first step for understanding how the body plan of the chordate tailbud embryo formed and evolved.

CIPRO 2.5: Ciona intestinalis protein database, a unique integrated repository of large-scale omics data, bioinformatic analyses and curated annotation, with user rating and reviewing functionality

The Ciona intestinalis protein database (CIPRO) is an integrated protein database for the tunicate species C. intestinalis. The database is unique in two respects: first, because of its phylogenetic position, Ciona is suitable model for understanding vertebrate evolution; and second, the database includes original large-scale transcriptomic and proteomic data. Ciona intestinalis has also been a favorite of developmental biologists. Therefore, large amounts of data exist on its development and morphology, along with a recent genome sequence and gene expression data. The CIPRO database is aimed at collecting those published data as well as providing unique information from unpublished experimental data, such as 3D expression profiling, 2D-PAGE and mass spectrometry-based large-scale analyses at various developmental stages, curated annotation data and various bioinformatic data, to facilitate research in diverse areas, including developmental, comparative and evolutionary biology. For medical and evolutionary research, homologs in humans and major model organisms are intentionally included. The current database is based on a recently developed KH model containing 36 034 unique sequences, but for higher usability it covers 89 683 all known and predicted proteins from all gene models for this species. Of these sequences, more than 10 000 proteins have been manually annotated. Furthermore, to establish a community-supported protein database, these annotations are open to evaluation by users through the CIPRO website. CIPRO 2.5 is freely accessible at http://cipro.ibio.jp/2.5.