Molecular Mechanisms of Early Eyefield Cohesion in the Developing Zebrafish
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Semaphorin6A(Sema6A) is a transmembrane protein important for aspects of development including cell migration, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Plexins are the functional receptors of Semaphorins. Semaphorins bind to Plexins, initiating forward signaling through the intracellular domain of Plexin. We have shown Sema6A-PlexinA2 signaling is necessary for zebrafish eye development including that Sema6A functions to maintain cohesion in early eyefields. However, it’s unknown which downstream signaling pathway(s) Sema6A-PlexinA2 use to regulate cohesion. Cultured eyefield explants lose integrity which is prevented by adding Sema6A. Using pharmacological inhibitors and conditioned media, we identified signaling pathways involved in maintaining eyefield cohesion in early explant cultures.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Bryan Ballif
Graduate Student Mentors
Fiona Doherty, Eliza McLatchy
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Molecular Mechanisms of Early Eyefield Cohesion in the Developing Zebrafish
Semaphorin6A(Sema6A) is a transmembrane protein important for aspects of development including cell migration, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Plexins are the functional receptors of Semaphorins. Semaphorins bind to Plexins, initiating forward signaling through the intracellular domain of Plexin. We have shown Sema6A-PlexinA2 signaling is necessary for zebrafish eye development including that Sema6A functions to maintain cohesion in early eyefields. However, it’s unknown which downstream signaling pathway(s) Sema6A-PlexinA2 use to regulate cohesion. Cultured eyefield explants lose integrity which is prevented by adding Sema6A. Using pharmacological inhibitors and conditioned media, we identified signaling pathways involved in maintaining eyefield cohesion in early explant cultures.