Cadherin-6B proteolytic N-terminal fragments promote chick cranial neural crest cell delamination by regulating extracellular matrix degradation.

During epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), chick cranial neural crest cells simultaneously delaminate from the basement membrane and segregate from the epithelia, in part, via multiple protease-mediated mechanisms. Proteolytic processing of Cadherin-6B (Cad6B) in premigratory cranial neural crest cells by metalloproteinases not only disassembles cadherin-based junctions but also generates shed Cad6B ectodomains or N-terminal fragments (NTFs) that may possess additional roles. Here we report that Cad6B NTFs promote delamination by enhancing local extracellular proteolytic activity around neural crest cells undergoing EMT en masse.

Annexin A6 controls neuronal membrane dynamics throughout chick cranial sensory gangliogenesis.

Cranial sensory ganglia are components of the peripheral nervous system that possess a significant somatosensory role and include neurons within the trigeminal and epibranchial nerve bundles. Although it is well established that these ganglia arise from interactions between neural crest and neurogenic placode cells, the molecular basis of ganglia assembly is still poorly understood. Members of the Annexin protein superfamily play key roles in sensory nervous system development throughout metazoans.

Should I stay or should I go? Cadherin function and regulation in the neural crest.

Our increasing comprehension of neural crest cell development has reciprocally advanced our understanding of cadherin expression, regulation, and function. As a transient population of multipotent stem cells that significantly contribute to the vertebrate body plan, neural crest cells undergo a variety of transformative processes and exhibit many cellular behaviors, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), motility, collective cell migration, and differentiation. Multiple studies have elucidated regulatory and mechanistic details of specific cadherins during neural crest cell development in a highly contextual manner.

Cadherin-6B proteolysis promotes the neural crest cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through transcriptional regulation.

During epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), cells disassemble cadherin-based junctions to segregate from the epithelia. Chick premigratory cranial neural crest cells reduce Cadherin-6B (Cad6B) levels through several mechanisms, including proteolysis, to permit their EMT and migration. Serial processing of Cad6B by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteins and γ-secretase generates intracellular C-terminal fragments (CTF2s) that could acquire additional functions.

FoxD3 regulates cranial neural crest EMT via downregulation of tetraspanin18 independent of its functions during neural crest formation.

The scaffolding protein tetraspanin18 (Tspan18) maintains epithelial cadherin-6B (Cad6B) to antagonize chick cranial neural crest epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). For migration to take place, Tspan18 must be downregulated. Here, we characterize the role of the winged-helix transcription factor FoxD3 in the control of Tspan18 expression.

Cadherin-6B is proteolytically processed during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions of the cranial neural crest.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly coordinated process underlying both development and disease. Premigratory neural crest cells undergo EMT, migrate away from the neural tube, and differentiate into diverse cell types during vertebrate embryogenesis. Adherens junction disassembly within premigratory neural crest cells is one component of EMT and, in chick cranial neural crest cells, involves cadherin-6B (Cad6B) down-regulation.

CDX2 regulates multiple trophoblast genes in bovine trophectoderm CT-1 cells.

The bovine trophectoderm (TE) undergoes a dramatic morphogenetic transition prior to uterine endometrial attachment. Many studies have documented trophoblast-specific gene expression profiles at various pre-attachment stages, yet genetic interactions within the transitioning TE gene regulatory network are not well characterized. During bovine embryogenesis, transcription factors OCT4 and CDX2 are co-expressed during early trophoblast elongation.

Cadherin dynamics during neural crest cell ontogeny.

Cell membrane-associated junctional complexes mediate cell-cell adhesion, intercellular interactions, and other fundamental processes required for proper embryo morphogenesis. Cadherins are calcium-dependent transmembrane proteins at the core of adherens junctions and are expressed in distinct spatiotemporal patterns throughout the development of an important vertebrate cell type, the neural crest. Multipotent neural crest cells arise from the ectoderm as epithelial cells under the influence of inductive cues, undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migrate throughout the embryonic body, and then differentiate into multiple derivatives at predetermined destinations.

Optimization of a lipitoid-based plasmid DNA transfection protocol for bovine trophectoderm CT-1 cells.

Embryo-derived cell lines are important in vitro models for investigating the molecular mechanisms directing embryonic tissue lineage segregation and maintenance. The bovine trophectoderm-derived CT-1 cell line has been widely used to identify regulatory mechanisms of interferon tau gene expression, and it possesses potential as a model for characterizing the gene regulatory network controlling trophoblast lineage differentiation and development. This functional potential, however, is severely limited as CT-1 cells are very recalcitrant to standard transfection methods.

Persistent colonization by Haemophilus influenzae in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae colonizes the respiratory tract of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and causes intermittent exacerbations. Isolates of H. influenzae collected monthly in a prospective study were subjected to molecular typing.

Horizontal transfer of the gene encoding outer membrane protein P2 of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

An adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was monitored prospectively for 2 years. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from sputum cultures at 22 of 23 monthly clinic visits. Analysis of the isolates, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), revealed that the patient was colonized by 3 different strains during the 2-year period.