The role of Non-muscle myosin IIA and IIB in proper cranial neural crest cell migration and differentiation
Mentor 1
Jennifer Gutzman
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
The neural crest (NC) is a migratory multipotent stem cell population that gives rise to cranial, vagal, trunk, sacral, and cardiac tissues in the body. Cranial NC cells are specifically important in the development of craniofacial structures, particularly the cartilage of the face and throat. Migratory patterns are key in positioning NC cells to establish these structures. Through cell culture studies, non-muscle myosin II (NMII) proteins have been outlined to play an integral role in the migration of cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that NMII proteins are also essential in the migration of the cranial NC. Here, we are using the zebrafish model to study the role of NMII isoforms in vivo by examining cranial NC cell migration in developing larvae. We are investigating the role of the two highly expressed and conserved NMII isoforms, NMIIA (myh9a, myh9b) and NMIIB (myh10). Using mutants for myh9a and myh10, in parallel with morpholino mediated gene knockdown studies, we are examining craniofacial cartilage formation at 5 days post fertilization. Control and mutant larvae are fixed and stained with Alcian Blue to label the developing cartilage structures in the jaw. Morphometric analysis will be used to examine Meckel’s and ceratohyal cartilage using MorphoJ software. We expect to define a role for both NMIIA and NMIIB in jaw development, which would suggest an in vivo function for NMIIA and NMIIB in NC cell migration or differentiation. Future studies will examine earlier cell migratory behavior and cell shape in control mutant embryos.
The role of Non-muscle myosin IIA and IIB in proper cranial neural crest cell migration and differentiation
Union Wisconsin Room
The neural crest (NC) is a migratory multipotent stem cell population that gives rise to cranial, vagal, trunk, sacral, and cardiac tissues in the body. Cranial NC cells are specifically important in the development of craniofacial structures, particularly the cartilage of the face and throat. Migratory patterns are key in positioning NC cells to establish these structures. Through cell culture studies, non-muscle myosin II (NMII) proteins have been outlined to play an integral role in the migration of cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that NMII proteins are also essential in the migration of the cranial NC. Here, we are using the zebrafish model to study the role of NMII isoforms in vivo by examining cranial NC cell migration in developing larvae. We are investigating the role of the two highly expressed and conserved NMII isoforms, NMIIA (myh9a, myh9b) and NMIIB (myh10). Using mutants for myh9a and myh10, in parallel with morpholino mediated gene knockdown studies, we are examining craniofacial cartilage formation at 5 days post fertilization. Control and mutant larvae are fixed and stained with Alcian Blue to label the developing cartilage structures in the jaw. Morphometric analysis will be used to examine Meckel’s and ceratohyal cartilage using MorphoJ software. We expect to define a role for both NMIIA and NMIIB in jaw development, which would suggest an in vivo function for NMIIA and NMIIB in NC cell migration or differentiation. Future studies will examine earlier cell migratory behavior and cell shape in control mutant embryos.
