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
  • Animals
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn/physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Interneurons/physiology
  • Locomotion/physiology*
  • Models, Animal*
  • Motor Neurons/physiology*
  • Physiology, Comparative/methods*
  • Synapses/physiology
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
17024661 Full text @ J. Exp. Zool. B Mol. Dev. Evol.
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
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping