PUBLICATION

Regulatory gene expression patterns reveal transverse and longitudinal subdivisions of the embryonic zebrafish forebrain

Authors
Hauptmann, G. and Gerster, T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-000309-28
Date
2000
Source
Mechanisms of Development   91(1-2): 105-118 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Gerster, Thomas, Hauptmann, Giselbert
Keywords
forebrain; diencephalon; prosomere; neuromere; longitudinal brain axis; alar/basal boundary; floor plate; roof plate; alar plate; basal plate; two-color whole-mount; in situ hybridization
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Axis, Cervical Vertebra
  • Body Patterning
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
  • Eye Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
  • Otx Transcription Factors
  • PAX2 Transcription Factor
  • POU Domain Factors
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors
  • Prosencephalon/embryology*
  • Proteins/genetics
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Trans-Activators/genetics
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins*
PubMed
10704836 Full text @ Mech. Dev.
Abstract
To shed light on the organization of the rostral embryonic brain of a lower vertebrate, we have directly compared the expression patterns of dlx, fgf, hh, hlx, otx, pax, POU, winged helix and wnt gene family members in the fore- and midbrain of the zebrafish. We show that the analyzed genes are expressed in distinct transverse and longitudinal domains and share expression boundaries at stereotypic positions within the fore- and midbrain. Some of these shared expression boundaries coincide with morphological landmarks like the pathways of primary axon tracts. We identified a series of eight transverse diencephalic domains suggestive of neuromeric subdivisions within the rostral brain. In addition, we identified four molecularly distinct longitudinal subdivisions and provide evidence for a strong bending of the longitudinal rostral brain axis at the cephalic flexure. Our data suggest a strong conservation of early forebrain organization between lower and higher vertebrates.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping