PUBLICATION

An important developmental role for oligosaccharides during early embryogenesis of cyprinid fish

Authors
Bakkers, J., Semino, C.E., Stroband, H., Kijne, J.W., Robbins, P.W., and Spaink, H.P.
ID
ZDB-PUB-970918-5
Date
1997
Source
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America   94(15): 7982-7986 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Bakkers, Jeroen, Semino, Carlos, Spaink, Herman P., Stroband, Henri
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Carps/embryology*
  • Chitin/biosynthesis
  • Chitin/metabolism*
  • Chitin Synthase/metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/enzymology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism
  • Fucosyltransferases/administration & dosage
  • Immune Sera
  • Microinjections
  • Ovum
  • Rhizobium/enzymology
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
PubMed
9223299 Full text @ Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
Abstract
Derivatives of chitin oligosaccharides have been shown to play a role in plant organogenesis at nanomolar concentrations. Here we present data which indicate that chitin oligosaccharides are important for embryogenesis in vertebrates. We characterize chitin oligosaccharides synthesized in vitro by zebrafish and carp embryos in the late gastrulation stage by incorporation of radiolabeled N-acetyl-D- [U14C]glucosamine and by HPLC in combination with enzymatic conversion using the Bradyrhizobium NodZ alpha-1, 6- fucosyltransferase and chitinases. A rapid and sensitive bioassay for chitin oligosaccharides was also used employing suspension-cultured plant cells of Catharanthus roseus. We show that chitin oligosaccharide synthase activity is apparent only during late gastrulation and can be inhibited by antiserum raised against the Xenopus DG42 protein. The DG42 protein, a glycosyltransferase, is transiently expressed between midblastula and neurulation in Xenopus and zebrafish embryogenesis. Microinjection of the DG42 antiserum or the Bradyrhizobium NodZ enzyme in fertilized eggs of zebrafish led to severe defects in trunk and tail development.
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