Autotaxin/Lpar3 signaling regulates Kupffer's vesicle formation and left-right asymmetry in zebrafish

Development. 2012 Dec 1;139(23):4439-48. doi: 10.1242/dev.081745. Epub 2012 Oct 24.

Abstract

Left-right (L-R) patterning is essential for proper organ morphogenesis and function. Calcium fluxes in dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs) are known to regulate the formation of Kupffer's vesicle (KV), a central organ for establishing L-R asymmetry in zebrafish. Here, we identify the lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as a regulator of L-R asymmetry in zebrafish embryos. LPA is produced by Autotaxin (Atx), a secreted lysophospholipase D, and triggers various cellular responses through activation of specific G protein-coupled receptors (Lpar1-6). Knockdown of Atx or LPA receptor 3 (Lpar3) by morpholino oligonucleotides perturbed asymmetric gene expression in lateral plate mesoderm and disrupted organ L-R asymmetries, whereas overexpression of lpar3 partially rescued those defects in both atx and lpar3 morphants. Similar defects were observed in embryos treated with the Atx inhibitor HA130 and the Lpar1-3 inhibitor Ki16425. Knockdown of either Atx or Lpar3 impaired calcium fluxes in DFCs during mid-epiboly stage and compromised DFC cohesive migration, KV formation and ciliogenesis. Application of LPA to DFCs rescued the calcium signal and laterality defects in atx morphants. This LPA-dependent L-R asymmetry is mediated via Wnt signaling, as shown by the accumulation of β-catenin in nuclei at the dorsal side of both atx and lpar3 morphants. Our results suggest a major role for the Atx/Lpar3 signaling axis in regulating KV formation, ciliogenesis and L-R asymmetry via a Wnt-dependent pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / genetics*
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism*
  • Morphogenesis
  • Morpholinos / genetics
  • Morpholinos / pharmacology
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / genetics
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Propionates / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2 / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • 3-(4-(4-((1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethoxy)carbonyl amino)-3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl) benzylsulfanyl) propanoic acid
  • Isoxazoles
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Morpholinos
  • Propionates
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • alkylglycerophosphoethanolamine phosphodiesterase
  • lysophosphatidic acid