Transdifferentiation is the poorly understood phenomenon whereby a terminally differentiated cell acquires a completely new identity. Here, we describe a rare example of a naturally occurring transdifferentiation event in zebrafish in which kidney distal tubule epithelial cells are converted into an endocrine gland known as the Corpuscles of Stannius (CS). We find that this process requires Notch signalling and is associated with the cytoplasmic sequestration of the Hnf1b transcription factor, a master-regulator of renal tubule fate. A deficiency in the Irx3b transcription factor results in ectopic transdifferentiation of distal tubule cells to a CS identity but in a Notch-dependent fashion. Using live-cell imaging we show that CS cells undergo apical constriction en masse and are then extruded from the tubule to form a distinct organ. This system provides a valuable new model to understand the molecular and morphological basis of transdifferentiation and will advance efforts to exploit this rare phenomenon therapeutically.
Pubmed ID: 30394875 RIS Download
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View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Goat anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (DyLight® 594) secondary antibody
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View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets HNF1B
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Goat anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (DyLight® 594) secondary antibody
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets HNF1B
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets CDH1
View all literature mentionsDanio rerio with name hnf1bahi1843Tg/hi1843Tg from ZFIN.
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