Dokument

Summary:
Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is crucial in animal development. Two FGFRs and one FGFR-like receptor, which lacks the intracellular domain, are known in the Cnidarian Hydra vulgaris. FGFRa, also known as Kringelchen, is an important factor in the developmental process of budding, as it controls the detachment of the bud. It is still unknown, which extracellular ligands are responsible for the start of the relevant signal transduction cascades in Hydra. This study gives first insights into the potential functions of five FGFs previously identified in Hydra. Analysis of the gene and protein expression patterns of different FGFs in several Hydra strains suggest that FGFs may comprise evolutionary conserved, multiple functions in bud detachment, neurogenesis, migration and cell differentiation, as well as in the regeneration of head and foot structures in Hydra. The electroporation of siRNAs into adult Hydra was used to analyze knockdown effects of FGFs and FGFRs in Hydra. This method was efficiently reproducing phenotypes obtained using the FGFR inhibitor SU5402 or, alternatively phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides or a dominant-negative FGFR mutant. Additionally, the siRNA-mediated knockdown showed a potential function of FGFRa in neuronal development and of FGFc in the differentiation of I-cells. In summary this work provides new insights into potential functions of FGFs and FGFRs in the model organism Hydra vulgaris and provides a basis for further studies investigating interactions of FGFRs and FGFs in this organism.

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