Rap1b Promotes Notch-Signal-Mediated Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development by Enhancing Integrin-Mediated Cell Adhesion

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge from hemogenic endothelium (HE) within the ventral portion of the dorsal aorta during vertebrate development. In zebrafish, Notch signaling induces HE specification from posterior lateral plate mesoderm (PLPM) cells as they migrate over the ventral surface of the somite. During migration, PLPM cells make close contact with Notch-ligand-expressing somitic cells to acquire HE identity. Herein, we show in zebrafish that the small GTPase Rap1b regulates HSC development by potentiating Notch-mediated HE specification. PLPM cells migrate toward the midline along the somite boundary where fibronectin accumulates. Rap1b stimulates integrin β1 to enhance PLPM cell adhesion to fibronectin localized at the somite boundary. Rap1b-induced integrin-β1-mediated adhesion to fibronectin leads to the spreading of PLPM cells to facilitate their physical contact with the Notch-ligand-expressing somitic cells, thereby promoting Notch-mediated HE specification. Thus, we have revealed an unexpected role of Rap1-induced integrin-mediated cell adhesion in HSC development. [Display omitted] •Rap1b is involved in hematopoietic stem cell development in zebrafish•Rap1b promotes Notch-mediated hemogenic endothelium specification of PLPM cells•Fibronectin guides PLPM cells to migrate along somite boundary through integrin β1•Rap1b activates Notch by inducing integrin-β1-mediated PLPM adhesion to somite Rho et al. show a role for the small GTPase Rap1b in hematopoietic stem cell development in zebrafish. Rap1b promotes Notch-signal-mediated specification of posterior lateral plate mesoderm cells by inducing their adhesion to Notch-ligand-expressing somitic cells through integrin-β1-mediated adhesion to fibronectin localized at the somite boundary.