Phenotypic analysis of reduction in slincR expression during early development. (A) An 18-endpoint morphologic screen in slincR and control morphants at 120 hpf (n = 24). No significant malformations were observed in the slincR morphants. Control and slincR morphant evaluations were completed in a binary notation (present/absent) and statistically compared using Fisher’s exact test at P < 0.05 for each endpoint. (B) Larval photomotor response (LPR) in control and slincR morphants at 120 hpf (n = 23) using the Viewpoint Zebrabox systems. SlincR morphants displayed a hypoactive response (P < 0.01), with −14.04% difference of the mean area under the curve when compared with controls. The LPR assay consisted of 3 minutes of light and dark alternating periods, for a total of four light-dark transitions, with the first transition representing an acclimation period. The black and white bar along the y-axis indicates the 3 minutes of light (white) and dark (black) alternating periods. Larval zebrafish at this developmental stage display increased locomotion during periods of darkness. The overall area under the curve was analyzed for the last three light-dark cycles compared with control morphants using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (P < 0.01). All experiments were independently repeated a minimum of two times.
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