PUBLICATION

Combinatorial expression of zebrafish brn-1- and brn-2-related POU genes in the embryonic brain, pronephric primordium, and pharyngeal arches

Authors
Hauptmann, G. and Gerster, T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-000623-3
Date
2000
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   218(2): 345-358 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Gerster, Thomas, Hauptmann, Giselbert
Keywords
orebrain; midbrain; hindbrain; segmentation; prosomere; pronephric primordium; pharyngeal arches; class IIIPOU genes; redundant gene function; Brn-1; Brn-2; zp-12; zp-23; zp-47; zp-50
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Brain/embryology
  • Brain/metabolism
  • Branchial Region/embryology
  • Branchial Region/metabolism
  • Central Nervous System/embryology
  • Central Nervous System/metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Kidney/embryology
  • Kidney/metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides/genetics*
  • POU Domain Factors
  • Trans-Activators/genetics*
  • Transcription Factors/genetics*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins
PubMed
10842361 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Vertebrate class III POU genes are widely expressed in the embryonic and adult central nervous system, where they act as transcriptional regulators of cell- and/or region-specific gene expression. We isolated four zebrafish class III POU genes, named zp-12, zp-23, zp-47 and zp-50. In this study, we examined the developmental expression patterns of the Brn-1- and Brn-2-related zp-12, zp-23 and zp-47 genes by means of whole-mount in situ hybridization. Similarly to their mammalian orthologues, the major expression site of all zebrafish zp genes is the CNS. Neurectodermal expression was first detected at the beginning of somitogenesis in spatially restricted segment-like domains in different parts of the neural plate. During somitogenesis transcript distributions changed from highly restricted to widespread but nevertheless distinct patterns found in all major subdivisions of the CNS. While zp-47 expression was detected exclusively in the CNS, localized expression of zp-12 and zp-23 was also found in the pronephric primordium and in cell clusters within the mandibular and hyoid arches. Furthermore, zp-23 transcripts were transiently detected in a restricted region of the paraxial mesendoderm and, at late embryogenesis stages, in the auditory vesicles. The early regionalized expression of all three zp genes is compatible with roles in regional specification of the neural plate. Comparison of the distinct yet overlapping expression of zp-12, zp-23, zp-47 and the previously characterized zp-50 gene implies both unique, as well as redundant functions for each family member. We propose that coordinate expression of particular combinations of class III POU genes contribute to pattern formation or cell fate determination in the developing CNS and other structures. Dev Dyn;218:345-358.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping