Expression of Chx10 and Chx10-1 in the developing chicken retina

We have isolated full-length cDNAs of chick Chx10 and Chx10-1, two members of the paired type homeobox/CVC gene family. A comparison of sequences suggests that Chx10 is closely related to Alx/Vsx-2 and Vsx-2 of zebrafish and goldfish, respectively; while Chx10-1 is closely related to Vsx-1 of zebrafish and goldfish. Chx10 and Chx10-1 are expressed in the early retinal neuroepithelium, but not in the pigment epithelium and lens. The expression of Chx10 is present in most retinal neuroblasts, while Chx10-1 exhibits a novel pattern along the nasotemporal border. In the differentiating retina, both Chx10 and Chx10-1 are restricted to bipolar cells and are maintained at a low level in bipolar cells of the mature retina.     

Expression of Zkrml2, a homologue of the Krml1/val segmentation gene, during embryonic patterning of the zebrafish (Danio rerio)

We have identified Zkrml2, a novel homologue of the segmentation gene Krml/val in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zkrml2 shows 72% and 92% identity in its basic leucine zipper domain with mouse Krml1 and zebrafish val, respectively. Zkrml2 is expressed coincident with MyoD throughout the somites starting at the three somite stage, becomes restricted to the dermomyotome, and subsequently disappears. Transient expression is also detected in the reticulospinal and oculomotor neurons. Zkrml2 maps to the Oregon linkage group 11 (Boston Linkage group 14) with no mapped zebrafish mutations nearby.     

Functional characterization and genetic mapping of alk8

The novel type I TGFβ family member receptor alk8 is expressed both maternally and zygotically. Functional characterization of alk8 was performed using microinjection studies of constitutively active (CA), kinase modified/dominant negative (DN), and truncated alk8 mRNAs. CA Alk8 expression produces ventralized embryos while DN Alk8 expression results in dorsalized phenotypes. Truncated alk8 expressing embryos display a subtle dorsalized phenotype closely resembling that of the identified zebrafish dorsalized mutant, lost-a-fin (laf). Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to map alk8 to zebrafish LG02 in a region demonstrating significant conserved synteny to Hsa2, and which contains the human alk2 gene, ACVRI. Altogether, these functional, gene mapping and phylogenetic analyses suggest that alk8 may be the zebrafish orthologue to human ACVRI (alk2), and therefore extend previous studies of Alk2 conducted in Xenopus.     

Identification of presomitic mesoderm (PSM)-specific Mesp1 enhancer and generation of a PSM-specific Mesp1/Mesp2-null mouse using BAC-based rescue technology

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) modification technology is a powerful method for the identification of enhancer sequences and genetic modifications. Using this method, we have analyzed the Mesp1 and/or Mesp2 enhancers and identified P1-PSME, a PSM-specific enhancer of Mesp1, which contains a T-box binding site similar to the previously identified P2-PSME. Hence, Mesp1 and Mesp2 use different enhancers for their PSM-specific expression. In addition, we find that these two genes also use distinct enhancers for their early mesodermal expression. Based on these results, we generated a PSM-specific Mesp1/Mesp2-null mouse by introducing a BAC clone, from which only early mesodermal Mesp1 expression is possible, into the Mesp1/Mesp2 double knockout (dKO) genetic background. This successfully rescued gastrulation defects due to the lack of the early mesoderm in the dKO mouse and we thereby obtained a PSM-specific Mesp1/Mesp2-null mouse showing a lack of segmented somites.     

The zebrafish Pax3 and Pax7 homologues are highly conserved, encode multiple isoforms and show dynamic segment-like expression in the developing brain

This study describes the isolation and characterization of zebrafish homologues of the mammalian Pax3 and Pax7 genes. The proteins encoded by both zebrafish genes are highly conserved (>83%) relative to the known mammalian sequences. Also the neural expression patterns during embryogenesis are very similar to the murine homologues. However, observed differences in neural crest and mesodermal expression relative to mammals could reflect some functional divergence in the development of these tissues. For the zebrafish Pax7 protein we report the first full-length amino acid sequences in vertebrates and show the existence of three additional isoforms which have truncations in the homeodomain and/or the C-terminal region. These novel variants provide evidence for additional isoform diversity of vertebrate Pax proteins.     

The zebrafish Hairy/Enhancer-of-split-related gene her6 is segmentally expressed during the early development of hindbrain and somites

Several vertebrate genes of the Hairy/Enhancer-of-split (HES) family are involved in paraxial mesoderm segmentation and intersomitic boundary establishment/maintenance. Here, we show that the zebrafish hairy-related gene, her6, highly homologous to the mammalian and chicken HES-1 genes, is expressed in the posterior part of each segmented somite and in stripes in the anterior presomitic mesoderm (PSM), and also in a dynamic, segmentally restricted pattern during hindbrain segmentation, with all rhombomeres expressing her6 at different time points and at different levels.     

Phylogeny, expression and enzyme activity of zebrafish cyp19 (P450 aromatase) genes

The cyp19 encodes P450 aromatase, the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of estrogens from androgens. Estrogens affect the dimorphic, anatomical, functional and behavioral aspects of development of both males and females. In zebrafish, two cyp19 genes, cyp19a and cyp19b were found. They are expressed in ovary and brain, respectively. Expression of cyp19b can be detected by 11 days post-fertilization (dpf) by in situ hybridization in the olfactory bulbs, ventral telencephalic region and the hypothalamus of the brain in both male and female, where it is generally known to be affecting the reproductive function and sexual behavior. COS-1 clones permanently expressing the enzymes have been isolated. Both aromatase enzymes encoded by these two genes are functional in COS-1 cells and they can use androstenedione and testosterone equally efficiently. The presence of two functional cyp19 in zebrafish has its evolutionary and physiological importance.     

纳米卟啉金属有机骨架对斑马鱼神经系统发育的作用*

目的:研究纳米卟啉金属有机骨架(NPMOF)对斑马鱼幼鱼神经系统发育的作用。方法:斑马鱼胚胎在发育6 h(hpf)后随机分为两组:对照组(n=500)和暴露组(n=500),对照组斑马鱼孵化于E3溶液中,暴露组于100 mg/L的NPMOF-E3溶液中,持续暴露至28、48、72、96或120 hpf。以20条斑马鱼为一批,在28、48、72、96和120 hpf分别提取3批实验组和对照组的总RNA用于RT-PCR;在120 hpf,实验组和对照组分别取20条PTU处理过的斑马鱼用于整体胚胎原位杂交,同样是在120 hpf,每组取150条用于免疫荧光染色,30条用于行为学测试。NPMOF的形状和尺寸用透射电镜测定,其光学特性由紫外分光光度计和荧光光谱仪测定;通过免疫荧光、整体胚胎原位杂交和RT-PCR方法检测各类神经细胞的发育;行为学测试用来监测斑马鱼运动状态的改变。结果:与正常组比较,NPMOF暴露组中神经发育相关基因的表达明显升高(P＜0.05),müller细胞和星形胶质细胞的数量明显增加(P＜0.05),神经元和少突胶质细胞的分布与形态未显示出差异;行为学测试中,斑马鱼的总运动距离、快速运动时间和运动速度的值显著增加(P＜0.05),总静止时间明显降低(P＜0.05)。结论:100 mg/L NPMOF溶液的持续暴露对斑马鱼神经系统发育,特别是视网膜中müller细胞和脑中星形胶质细胞的发育有促进作用。     

Molecular cloning and developmental expression of a zebrafish axonal glycoprotein similar to TAG-1

TAG-1 is a mammalian cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is expressed transiently by a subset of neurons and serves as a fertile substrate for neurite outgrowth in vitro (Furley, A.H., Morton, S.B., Manalo, D., Karagogeos, S., Dodd, H., Jessell, T.M., 1990 The axonal glycoprotein TAG-1 is an immunoglobulin superfamily member with neurite outgrowth promoting activity. Cell 61, 157–170). In order to examine the in vivo function of this molecule, we have cloned a zebrafish tag1-like cDNA and analyzed its expression patterns. tag1 is expressed transiently by specific subsets of neurons when they are projecting their axons or when they are migrating. The specific and dynamic pattern of expression of zebrafish tag1 is consistent with its proposed role in axon guidance and cell migration.     

斑马鱼hoxa1a基因调控颅面骨骼发育的功能研究*

hox基因编码一类高度保守的转录因子家族,人类HOXA1的突变会导致阿萨巴斯卡发育不良综合征 (Athabascan brainstem dysgenesis syndrome, ABDS),使人出现因颅骨异常导致的面部畸形和面部麻痹等症状。利用模式生物斑马鱼研究其同源基因hoxa1a的功能机制。首先利用CRISPR/Cas9技术对斑马鱼hoxa1a进行基因编辑,获得了hoxa1a基因突变,T7E1酶切结果显示F₀酶切效率平均为70%。F₁进一步筛选到两种突变类型,分别是插入了8 bp和删除了7 bp的杂合突变体。杂合子自交得到hoxa1a F₂纯合突变体,并且测序验证hoxa1a基因突变成功。5 dpf时,hoxa1a纯合突变体出现颅面发育异常。阿尔新蓝软骨染色和茜素红硬骨染色结果表明,hoxa1a突变体中颅骨发育异常、筛骨板断裂,鳃弓发育出现缺损。成功在斑马鱼中构建ABDS疾病模型,表明hoxa1a突变会造成斑马鱼颅面骨骼发育异常,为其功能机制研究奠定了基础,为人类ABDS疾病的致病机制研究提供了新的思路。     

金线莲抑制斑马鱼黑色素形成的活性组分筛选及机理研究

为探索金线莲中对黑色素形成具有抑制效果的活性组分,本研究对金线莲进行分离、提取,获得总提组、醇沉组与醇提组,利用斑马鱼筛选金线莲具有美白作用的活性组分。将受精后0.75 h的斑马鱼胚胎分别暴露于不同浓度的金线莲总提组、醇沉组、醇提组,72 h时观察结果表明,金线莲醇提物能有效抑制斑马鱼胚胎黑色素和黄色素沉着,浓度越高抑制效果越明显,且不影响胚胎生长发育。进一步采用半定量PCR和整胚原位杂交技术定量和定性地检测黑色素形成相关基因mRNA表达,结果表明金线莲醇提物可以有效降低silv、tyr和tyrp1a等黑色素合成相关基因的转录水平,且具有浓度依赖关系。通过检测酪氨酸酶活性显示,加入醇提物的实验组其酪氨酸酶活性随着处理浓度升高而逐渐降低。此外,在黑色素已经大量形成的情况下,金线莲醇提物仍可通过下调黑色素合成相关基因的mRNA表达及酪氨酸酶活性来抑制黑色素的形成,并且这种抑制效果可在金线莲醇提物撤除后得到恢复。上述实验结果表明,金线莲醇提物能显著抑制斑马鱼黑色素的形成,本文为金线莲在美白产品领域的开发和应用方面提供了有力支撑。