Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The transcription coactivator, Yes-associated protein (YAP), which is a nuclear effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, has been shown to be a mechano-transducer. By using mutant fish and human 3D spheroids, we have recently demonstrated that YAP is also a mechano-effector. YAP functions in three-dimensional (3D) morphogenesis of organ and global body shape by controlling actomyosin-mediated tissue tension. In this chapter, we present a platform that links the findings in fish embryos with human cells. The protocols for analyzing tissue tension-mediated global body shape/organ morphogenesis in vivo and ex vivo using medaka fish embryos and in vitro using human cell spheroids represent useful tools for unraveling the molecular mechanisms by which YAP functions in regulating global body/organ morphogenesis.

DOI： 10.1007/978-1-4939-8910-2_14

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) genes are involved in the neural regulation of energy homeostasis; however, their developmental expressions and functions are not fully understood in vertebrates. We have identified a novel zebrafish cart-like gene that encodes a protein of 105 amino acids possessing sequence similarity to zebrafish and mammalian CART proteins. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the cart-like transcripts were maternally supplied and gradually decreased during the cleavage, blastula and gastrula stages; then, transcripts subsequently reaccumulated at the segmentation, pharyngula and hatching stages. Based on a whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis using an antisense cart-like RNA probe, we found that the cart-like transcript was predominantly expressed in both the Rohon-Beard neurons and trigeminal ganglia, suggesting the involvement of the cart-like gene in zebrafish neural development.

DOI： 10.1016/j.gep.2018.08.002

PubMed

researchmap

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Mammalian SLURP1 and SLURP2 belong to the Ly-6/uPAR superfamily and are involved in maintaining the physiological integrity of keratinocytes. However, the developmental expression and functions of other Ly-6/uPAR family genes in vertebrates are still obscure. We have isolated novel Ly-6/uPAR family genes slurp-like1 (ly2.3/ly97.3) and slurp-like2 (ly2.2/ly97.2) in zebrafish. Both the Slurp-like1 and Slurp-like2 proteins contain the typical signal sequence and carboxy-terminal CCXXXXCN (X: an arbitrary amino acid) consensus sequence of the Ly-6/uPAR family but lack a transmembrane domain and a GPI-anchoring signal sequence, suggesting that both proteins may function as secretory proteins. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that slurp-like1 was predominantly expressed in the floor plate of the neural tube and in the hypochord of the notochord at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) and detected in the liver and intestinal bulb at 72 hpf, while slurp-like2 was expressed in the midbrain and hindbrain at 24 hpf and detected in the liver and pancreas at 72 hpf. Differential expression profiles of the slurp-like1 and slurp-like2 genes suggest the distinct physiological involvement of these genes in zebrafish early embryogenesis.

DOI： 10.1016/j.gep.2018.08.006

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.01.010

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Lead author   Language：English  

DOI： 10.1080/21655979.2017.1300727

PubMed

researchmap

Authorship：Lead author  

DOI： 10.1002/9781118492833.ch9

Scopus

researchmap

Other Link： http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8375-2317