PUBLICATION

Zebrafish homologue irx1a is required for the differentiation of serotonergic neurons

Authors
Cheng, C.W., Yan, C.H., Choy, S.W., Hui, M.N., Hui, C.C., and Cheng, S.H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-070813-18
Date
2007
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   236(9): 2661-2667 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Cheng, Shuk Han
Keywords
5HT, homeodomain, hindbrain, iroquois, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Acridine Orange/pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Developmental Biology/methods
  • Fluorescent Dyes/pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins/physiology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurons/metabolism
  • Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
  • Serotonin/metabolism
  • Transcription Factors/metabolism
  • Transcription Factors/physiology*
  • Zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins/physiology*
PubMed
17685478 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Serotonergic (5HT) neurons produce neurotransmitter serotonin, which modulates various neuronal circuits. The specification and differentiation of 5HT neurons require both extrinsic signals such as Shh and Fgf, as well as intrinsic transcription factors such as nkx2.2, mash1, phox2b, Gata2, and pet1. In this study, we show that iroquois homeodomain factor irx1a, but not irx1b, is expressed in the 5HT neurons. Knockdown of irx1a by antisense morpholino nucleotides reveals that it is a critical determinant for the differentiation of 5HT neurons in the hindbrain. However, irx1a morphants do not show a reduction of the progenitors of 5HT neurons. Hence, irx1a is not required for the initial specification but it is required for the complete differentiation of 5HT neurons.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping