Function and Regulation of the Wilms’ Tumor Suppressor 1 (WT1) Gene in Fish

Abstract

The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene Wt1 is highly conserved among vertebrates. In contrast to mammals, most fish species possess two wt1 paralogs that have been named wt1a and wt1b. Concerning wt1 in fish, most work so far has been done using zebrafish, focusing on the embryonic kidney, the pronephros. In this chapter we will describe the structure and development of the pronephros as well as the role that the wt1 genes play in the embryonic zebrafish kidney. We also discuss Wt1 target genes and describe the potential function of the Wt1 proteins in the adult kidney. Finally we will summarize data on the role of Wt1 outside of the kidney.

Hand2 delineates mesothelium progenitors and is reactivated in mesothelioma

“…In transverse sections of wt1a-and wt1b:EGFP-expressing embryos, we detected EGFP signal in the coelomic epithelium surrounding the gut, liver, and pancreas in addition to the previously reported labeling of the glomerulus and pronephric tubules ( Fig. 3J-K) (Bollig et al, 2009;Endlich et al, 2014;Peralta et al, 2014;Perner et al, 2016). Further, we observed wt1a/b reporter-expressing Tagln-positive smooth muscle cells around the gut and hepatic and pancreatic ducts ( Fig.…”

“…To further confirm and define the hand2-expressing mesothelia, we turned to Wt1 expression that characterizes the developing visceral mesothelium in mammals (Chen et al, 2014;Parenti et al, 2013;Walker et al, 1994). Expression of the zebrafish Wt1 paralogs wt1a and wt1b becomes detectable at 6-8 ss as previously analysed in kidney and epicardium development (Bollig et al, 2009;Endlich et al, 2014;Peralta et al, 2014;Perner et al, 2016). During somitogenesis, we found wt1a:EGFP and wt1b:EGFP activity lateral of the differentiating kidney structures within the drl:mCherry-expressing LPM corresponding to the hand2-positive territory (Fig.…”