PUBLICATION

Zath3, a neural basic helix-loop-helix gene, regulates early neurogenesis in the zebrafish

Authors
Park, S.-H., Yeo, S.-Y., Yoo, K.-W., Hong, S.-K., Lee, S., Rhee, M., Chitnis, A.B., and Kim, C.-H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-030805-4
Date
2003
Source
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications   308(1): 184-190 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Chitnis, Ajay, Hong, Sung-Kook, Kim, Cheol-Hee, Park, Su-Hyeon, Yeo, Sang-Yeob, Yoo, Kyeong-Won
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
  • Nervous System/embryology*
  • RNA, Messenger/genetics
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/chemistry
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
PubMed
12890499 Full text @ Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.
Abstract
We have isolated a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene homologous to the Drosophila proneural gene atonal, termed zath3, from zebrafish. zath3 is expressed in neurons of the central nervous system and in subsets of cranial ganglia. Zebrafish mindbomb (mib) mutants have a higher density of zath3 expressing cells and narrowminded (nrd) mutants lack zath3 expression in a domain corresponding to primary sensory neurons showing that the expression of zath3 is regulated by both mib and nrd. Injection of synthetic zath3 RNA into zebrafish embryos expands the neural plate size, promotes ectopic expression of neuronal markers, and partially rescues the deficit of sensory neurons seen in nrd mutants. Interfering with zath3 function using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MO) has no significant effect on early neurogenesis. However, a double knock down of zath3 and neurogenin1 (ngn1), another atonal homologue, with morpholinos (MOs) leads to more severe defects in neurogenesis than are seen with ngn1 MO alone: a subtle reduction of motor and inter-neurons, and an almost complete loss all cranial ganglia. This study suggests that zath3 and ngn1 have partially overlapping roles in early neurogenesis.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping