PUBLICATION

Genetic screen for mutations affecting development and function of the enteric nervous system

Authors
Kuhlman, J., and Eisen, J.S.
ID
ZDB-PUB-061227-7
Date
2007
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   236(1): 118-127 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Eisen, Judith S., Kuhlman, Julie
Keywords
enteric nervous system, zebrafish, gastrointestinal tract motility, neural crest, genetic screen, mutation
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology
  • Enteric Nervous System/embryology
  • Enteric Nervous System/growth & development*
  • Enteric Nervous System/physiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Motility/genetics*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract/embryology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract/physiology
  • Genetic Testing
  • Larva/physiology
  • Mutation*
  • Neural Crest/embryology
  • Neural Crest/physiology
  • Neurons/metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics
PubMed
17131406 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
An intact enteric nervous system is required for normal gastrointestinal tract function. Several human conditions result from decreased innervation by enteric neurons; however, the genetic basis of enteric nervous system development and function is incompletely understood. In an effort to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying enteric nervous system development, we screened mutagenized zebrafish for changes in the number or distribution of enteric neurons. We also established a motility assay and rescreened mutants to learn whether enteric neuron number is correlated with gastrointestinal motility in zebrafish. We describe mutations isolated in our screen that affect enteric neurons specifically, as well as mutations that affect other neural crest derivatives or have pleiotropic effects. We show a correlation between the severity of enteric neuron loss and gastrointestinal motility defects. This screen provides biological tools that serve as the basis for future mechanistic studies.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping