Mechanically sensitive HSF1 is a key regulator of left-right symmetry breaking in zebrafish embryos.

ABSTRACT: The left-right symmetry breaking of vertebrate embryos requires nodal flow. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the asymmetric gene expression regulation under nodal flow remain elusive. Here, we report that heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is asymmetrically activated in the Kupffer's vesicle of zebrafish embryos in the presence of nodal flow. Deficiency in HSF1 expression caused a significant situs inversus and disrupted gene expression asymmetry of nodal signaling proteins in zebrafish embryos. Further studies demonstrated that HSF1 is a mechanosensitive protein. The mechanical sensation ability of HSF1 is conserved in a variety of mechanical stimuli in different cell types. Moreover, cilia and Ca²⁺-Akt signaling axis are essential for the activation of HSF1 under

SUBMITTER: Du J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10520531 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature