Open AccessCxcl12a induces snail1b expression to initiate collective migration and sequential Fgf-dependent neuromast formation in the zebrafish posterior Lateral Line primordium
Author(s) -
Uma M. Neelathi,
Damian Dalle Nogare,
Ajay Chitnis
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.754
H-Index - 325
eISSN - 1477-9129
pISSN - 0950-1991
DOI - 10.1242/dev.162453
Subject(s) - primordium , zebrafish , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene knockdown , lateral line , fibroblast growth factor , cell migration , morphogenesis , anatomy , cell , cell culture , genetics , receptor , gene
The zebrafish posterior Lateral Line primordium migrates along a path, defined by the chemokine Cxcl12a, periodically depositing neuromasts, to pioneer formation of the zebrafish posterior Lateral Line system. snail1b, known for its role in promoting cell migration, is expressed in leading cells of the primordium in response to Cxcl12a, while its expression in trailing cells is inhibited by Fgf signaling. snail1b knockdown delays initiation of primordium migration. This delay is associated with aberrant expansion of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (epcam) and reduction of cadherin2 expression in a leading part of the primordium. Co-injection of snail1b morpholino with snail1b mRNA prevents the initial delay in migration and restores normal expression of epcam and cadherin2. The delay in initiating primordium migration in snail1b morphants is accompanied by a delay in sequential formation of trailing Fgf signaling centers and associated protoneuromasts. This delay is not specifically associated with knock-down of snail1b but also with other manipulations that delay migration of the primordium. These observations reveal an unexpected link between the initiation of collective migration and sequential formation of protoneuromasts in the primordium.