PUBLICATION

Transcriptomes of post-mitotic neurons identify the usage of alternative pathways during adult and embryonic neuronal differentiation

Authors
Tallafuss, A., Kelly, M., Gay, L., Gibson, D., Batzel, P., Karfilis, K.V., Eisen, J., Stankunas, K., Postlethwait, J.H., Washbourne, P.
ID
ZDB-PUB-151225-10
Date
2015
Source
BMC Genomics   16: 1100 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Eisen, Judith S., Gibson, Daniel, Postlethwait, John H., Stankunas, Kryn, Tallafuss, Alexandra, Washbourne, Philip
Keywords
4tU-labeling, Transcriptome, Differentiation, Zebrafish, Uprt, Elavl3, Differential expression, Neuron
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Gene Expression Profiling/methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Neurogenesis*
  • Neurons/cytology*
  • Neuropeptides/genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
(all 12)
PubMed
26699284 Full text @ BMC Genomics
Abstract
Background Understanding the mechanisms by which neurons are generated and specified, and how they integrate into functional circuits is key to being able to treat disorders of the nervous system and acute brain trauma. Much of what we know about neuronal differentiation has been studied in developing embryos, but differentiation steps may be very different during adult neurogenesis. For this reason, we compared the transcriptomes of newly differentiated neurons in zebrafish embryos and adults.
Results Using a 4tU RNA labeling method, we isolated and sequenced mRNA specifically from cells of one day old embryos and adults expressing the transgene HA-uprt-mcherry under control of the neuronal marker elavl3. By categorizing transcript products into different protein classes, we identified similarities and differences of gene usage between adult and embryonic neuronal differentiation. We found that neurons in the adult brain and in the nervous system of one day old embryos commonly use transcription factors - some of them identical - during the differentiation process. When we directly compared adult differentiating neurons to embryonic differentiating neurons, however, we found that during adult neuronal differentiation, the expression of neuropeptides and neurotransmitter pathway genes is more common, whereas classical developmental signaling through secreted molecules like Hedgehog or Wnt are less enriched, as compared to embryonic stages.
Conclusions We conclude that both adult and embryonic differentiating neurons show enriched use of transcription factors compared to surrounding cells. However, adult and embryonic developing neurons use alternative pathways to differentiate. Our study provides evidence that adult neuronal differentiation is distinct from the better characterized embryonic neuronal differentiation process. This important insight and the lists of enriched genes we have identified will now help pave the way to a better understanding of the mechanisms of embryonic and adult neuronal differentiation and how to manipulate these processes.
Genes / Markers
Marker Marker Type Name
cst14a.2GENEcystatin 14a, tandem duplicate 2
cyp26a1GENEcytochrome P450, family 26, subfamily A, polypeptide 1
desi1aGENEdesumoylating isopeptidase 1a
dlx2aGENEdistal-less homeobox 2a
dlx5aGENEdistal-less homeobox 5a
drd4aGENEdopamine receptor D4a
eomesaGENEeomesodermin homolog a
esrraGENEestrogen-related receptor alpha
gng8GENEguanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), gamma 8
gpr22aGENEG protein-coupled receptor 22a
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Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
No data available
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
b1278TgTransgenic Insertion
    psi1TgTransgenic Insertion
      1 - 2 of 2
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      Human Disease / Model
      No data available
      Sequence Targeting Reagents
      No data available
      Fish
      No data available
      Antibodies
      Orthology
      No data available
      Engineered Foreign Genes
      Marker Marker Type Name
      GAL4EFGGAL4
      mCherryEFGmCherry
      1 - 2 of 2
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      Mapping
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      Citation
      Tallafuss, A., Kelly, M., Gay, L., Gibson, D., Batzel, P., Karfilis, K.V., Eisen, J., Stankunas, K., Postlethwait, J.H., Washbourne, P. (2015) Transcriptomes of post-mitotic neurons identify the usage of alternative pathways during adult and embryonic neuronal differentiation. BMC Genomics. 16:1100.