| First Author | Li S | Year | 2019 |
| Journal | Dev Cell | Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 89-98.e4 |
| PubMed ID | 31474563 | Mgi Jnum | J:281761 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6380749 | Doi | 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.08.002 |
| Citation | Li S, et al. (2019) Sema3a-Nrp1 Signaling Mediates Fast-Twitch Myofiber Specificity of Tw2(+) Cells. Dev Cell 51(1):89-98.e4 |
| abstractText | We previously identified a unique population of interstitial muscle progenitors, marked by expression of the Twist2 transcription factor, which fuses specifically to type IIb/x fast-twitch myofibers. Tw2(+) progenitors are distinct from satellite cells, a muscle progenitor that expresses Pax7 and contributes to all myofiber types. Through RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence, we identify the membrane receptor, Nrp1, as a marker of Tw2(+) cells but not Pax7(+) cells. We also found that Sema3a, a chemorepellent ligand for Nrp1, is expressed by type I and IIa myofibers but not IIb myofibers. Using stripe migration assays, chimeric cell-cell fusion assays, and a Sema3a transgenic mouse model, we identify Sema3a-Nrp1 signaling as a major mechanism for Tw2(+) cell fiber-type specificity. Our findings reveal an extracellular signaling mechanism whereby a cell-surface receptor for a chemorepellent confers specificity of intercellular fusion of a specific muscle progenitor with its target tissue. |
