PUBLICATION

Transgene driving GFP expression from the promoter of the zona pellucida gene zpc is expressed in oocytes and provides an early marker for gonad differentiation in zebrafish

Authors
Onichtchouk, D., Aduroja, K., Belting, H.G., Gnügge, L., and Driever, W.
ID
ZDB-PUB-031103-9
Date
2003
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   228(3): 393-404 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Belting, Heinz-Georg Paul (Henry), Driever, Wolfgang, Gnügge, Lara
Keywords
zebrafish, oogenesis, zona pellucida, ZP3, green fluorescent protein, sex differentiation, FIGalpha
MeSH Terms
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Female
  • Zona Pellucida/physiology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics*
  • Male
  • Luminescent Proteins/analysis
  • Luminescent Proteins/genetics*
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Differentiation/genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Recombinant Proteins/analysis
  • Transcription Factors/chemistry
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Animals
  • Oocytes/physiology*
  • Sex Differentiation/genetics
(all 26)
PubMed
14579378 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Although mechanisms of sex differentiation have been studied intensely in mammals, insects, and worms, little is known about this process in lower vertebrates. To establish a marker for female gonad differentiation in zebrafish, we generated a transgenic line in which 412 bp from the promoter and 5' mRNA leader of the female-specific zebrafish zona pellucida gene zpc are fused to the coding region of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The zpc0.5:GFP transgene is expressed exclusively in oocytes, starting from the onset of female-specific differentiation, and closely resembles the expression pattern of the wild-type zpc. Strong GFP expression persists throughout oogenesis and is visible through the body wall of females. We have also characterized a putative upstream factor of zpc, FIGalpha, and show that distribution of FIGalpha RNA is compatible with its postulated role in the regulation of zpc. The zpc0.5:GFP transgenic line described here will be useful for studying oocyte development and the mechanisms that determine sex-specific gene expression in the zebrafish. It is also the first promoter characterized to date to drive stable and efficient expression specifically in the zebrafish female germline.
Genes / Markers
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping
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Citation
Onichtchouk, D., Aduroja, K., Belting, H.G., Gnügge, L., and Driever, W. (2003) Transgene driving GFP expression from the promoter of the zona pellucida gene zpc is expressed in oocytes and provides an early marker for gonad differentiation in zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists. 228(3):393-404.