PUBLICATION
The utility of zebrafish for studies of the comparative biology of motor systems
- Authors
- Fetcho, J.R.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-061020-27
- Date
- 2007
- Source
- Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution 308(5): 550-562 (Review)
- Registered Authors
- Fetcho, Joseph R.
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Interneurons/physiology
- Zebrafish/physiology*
- Synapses/physiology
- Animals
- Physiology, Comparative/methods*
- Locomotion/physiology*
- Models, Animal*
- Humans
- Motor Neurons/physiology*
- Genetic Diseases, Inborn/physiopathology
- PubMed
- 17024661 Full text @ J. Exp. Zool. B Mol. Dev. Evol.
Citation
Fetcho, J.R. (2007) The utility of zebrafish for studies of the comparative biology of motor systems. Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution. 308(5):550-562.
Abstract
Although zebrafish are best known as a model for studies of development, there is now a growing role for the model in studies of the functional organization of the nervous system, including studies of a variety of sensory systems, central processing, and motor output. The zebrafish has much to offer for such work because of the unique combination of genetics, optical methods, and physiology it allows. Here I illustrate, using three examples, the broad range of avenues along which zebrafish can inform us about motor systems. The examples include efforts to understand the functional organization and evolution of spinal interneurons, the role of mutants in informing us about motor dysfunction and human disease, and the ability to use the special features of zebrafish to explore strategies to restore function after injury. The most important aspects of these studies are evident only when they are placed in a comparative context, so they serve to highlight the power of zebrafish in studies of the comparative biology of motor control.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping