PUBLICATION

The cellular architecture and molecular determinants of the zebrafish fusogenic synapse

Authors
Luo, Z., Shi, J., Pandey, P., Ruan, Z.R., Sevdali, M., Bu, Y., Lu, Y., Du, S., Chen, E.H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-220622-9
Date
2022
Source
Developmental Cell   57(13): 1582-1597.e6 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Chen, Elizabeth, Du, Shao Jun (Jim), Luo, Zhou, Shi, Jun
Keywords
Jam2a/Jamb, Jam3b/Jamc, Myomaker, Myomixer, WASP and WAVE, actin cytoskeleton, cell-cell fusion, invasive membrane protrusions, myoblast fusion, zebrafish muscle development
MeSH Terms
  • Actins*/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Fusion
  • Drosophila/metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins/genetics
  • Membrane Proteins/metabolism
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Synapses/metabolism
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
  • Zebrafish*/metabolism
PubMed
35709765 Full text @ Dev. Cell
Abstract
Myoblast fusion is an indispensable process in skeletal muscle development and regeneration. Studies in Drosophila led to the discovery of the asymmetric fusogenic synapse, in which one cell invades its fusion partner with actin-propelled membrane protrusions to promote fusion. However, the timing and sites of vertebrate myoblast fusion remain elusive. Here, we show that fusion between zebrafish fast muscle cells is mediated by an F-actin-enriched invasive structure. Two cell adhesion molecules, Jam2a and Jam3b, are associated with the actin structure, with Jam2a being the major organizer. The Arp2/3 actin nucleation-promoting factors, WAVE and WASP-but not the bipartite fusogenic proteins, Myomaker or Myomixer-promote the formation of the invasive structure. Moreover, the convergence of fusogen-containing microdomains and the invasive protrusions is a prerequisite for cell membrane fusion. Thus, our study provides unprecedented insights into the cellular architecture and molecular determinants of the asymmetric fusogenic synapse in an intact vertebrate animal.
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