PUBLICATION

Myomaker mediates fusion of fast myocytes in zebrafish embryos

Authors
Landemaine, A., Rescan, P.Y., Gabillard, J.C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-140801-12
Date
2014
Source
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications   451(4): 480-4 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Fast myotome, Fusion, Muscle growth, Myocyte, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Fusion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Muscle Cells/physiology*
  • Muscle Development/genetics
  • Muscle Proteins/biosynthesis*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
PubMed
25078621 Full text @ Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.
Abstract
Myomaker (also called Tmem8c), a new membrane activator of myocyte fusion was recently discovered in mice. Using whole mount in situ hybridization on zebrafish embryos at different stages of embryonic development, we show that myomaker is transiently expressed in fast myocytes forming the bulk of zebrafish myotome. Zebrafish embryos injected with morpholino targeted against myomaker were alive after yolk resorption and appeared morphologically normal, but they were unable to swim, even under effect of a tactile stimulation. Confocal observations showed a marked phenotype characterized by the persistence of mononucleated muscle cells in the fast myotome at developmental stages where these cells normally fuse to form multinucleated myotubes. This indicates that myomaker is essential for myocyte fusion in zebrafish. Thus, there is an evolutionary conservation of myomaker expression and function among Teleostomi.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping