A β-catenin chromobody-based probe highlights endothelial maturation during vascular morphogenesis in vivo

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.202122
• Publication Date: 2024-06-07T11:45:52Z
• Authors: Sébastien Gauvrit; Shengnan Zhao; Ulrich Rothbauer; Didier Y. R. Stai...
• Keywords: Adherens junction; Live cell imaging

ABSTRACT Visualization of protein dynamics is a crucial step in understanding cellular processes. Chromobodies, fluorescently labelled single-domain antibodies, have emerged as versatile probes for live cell imaging endogenous proteins. However, how these chromobodies behave vivo and accurately they monitor tissue changes remain poorly explored. Here, we generated an endothelial-specific β-catenin chromobody-derived probe analyzed its expression pattern during cardiovascular development zebrafish. Using high-resolution confocal imaging, show that the chromobody signal correlates with localization nucleus at cell-cell junctions, thereby can be used to assess endothelial maturation. Loss Cadherin 5 strongly affects membrane, confirming cadherin-based adherens junction role β-catenin. Furthermore, using genetic model block blood flow, observed junctions are compromised most cells but not endocardium, highlighting heterogeneous response endothelium lack flow. Overall, our data further expand use applications illustrate their potential morphogenesis high resolution.