Chondroitin 6‐O‐sulfotransferases are required for morphogenesis of the notochord in the ascidian embryo. Issue 12 (24th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakamura, Jun; Yoshida, Keita; Sasakura, Yasunori; Fujiwara, Shigeki
• Is Part Of: Developmental dynamics. Volume 243:Issue 12(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1637
• Page End: 1645
• Publication Date: 2014-10-24
• Subjects: Morphogenesis -- Periodicals; Anatomy -- Periodicals; Anatomie -- Périodiques; Biologie du développement -- Périodiques; 571.833
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-8388

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <underline>Background:</underline> Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a sulfated polysaccharide chain that binds to various core proteins to form proteoglycans. The amount and position of sulfate groups in CS are variable among different tissues, and are determined by specific sulfotransferases. Although the ascidians are the closest relatives of vertebrates, the functions of their sulfotransferases have not been studied. <underline>Results:</underline> The genome of the ascidian <italic>Ciona intestinalis</italic> contains eight genes encoding proteins similar to chondroitin 6‐O‐sulfotransferases (C6STs), which appear to have independently diverged in the ascidian lineage during evolution. Among them, <italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like1</italic> and <italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like7</italic> were predominantly expressed in the developing notochord. In addition, they were weakly expressed in the neural tube. The disruption of either one of them affected the convergent extension movement of notochordal cells. Presumptive notochord cells coming from both sides of the embryo did not intercalate. The results suggest that both of them are necessary. In some cases, the anterior neural tube failed to close. Forced expression of <italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like1</italic> or <italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like7</italic> in the notochord restored the normal intercalation of notochordal cells, indicating that the effects of morpholino oligos are specific. <underline>Conclusions:</underline><italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like1</italic> and <italic>Ci‐C6ST‐like7</italic> are required for the morphogenesis of the notochord in the ascidian embryo. <italic>Developmental Dynamics 243:1637–1645, 2014</italic>. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>