PUBLICATION

Notch resolves mixed neural identities in the zebrafish epiphysis

Authors
Cau, E., Quillien, A., and Blader, P.
ID
ZDB-PUB-080616-25
Date
2008
Source
Development (Cambridge, England)   135(14): 2391-2401 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Blader, Patrick
Keywords
Notch, Neural specification, Zebrafish, Epiphysis, Photoreceptor, Projection neuron
MeSH Terms
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Signal Transduction
  • Receptors, Notch/genetics
  • Receptors, Notch/physiology*
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Homozygote
  • Models, Neurological
  • Epiphyses/innervation*
  • Epiphyses/metabolism
  • Photoreceptor Cells/physiology*
  • Transgenes
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Neurons/physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
(all 20)
PubMed
18550717 Full text @ Development
Abstract
Manipulation of Notch activity alters neuronal subtype identity in vertebrate neuronal lineages. Nonetheless, it remains controversial whether Notch activity diversifies cell fate by regulating the timing of neurogenesis or acts directly in neuronal subtype specification. Here, we address the role of Notch in the zebrafish epiphysis, a simple structure containing only two neural subtypes: projection neurons and photoreceptors. Reducing the activity of the Notch pathway results in an excess of projection neurons at the expense of photoreceptors, as well as an increase in cells retaining a mixed identity. However, although forced activation of the pathway inhibits the projection neuron fate, it does not promote photoreceptor identity. As birthdating experiments show that projection neurons and photoreceptors are born simultaneously, Notch acts directly during neuronal specification rather than by controlling the timing of neurogenesis. Finally, our data suggest that two distinct signals are required for photoreceptor fate specification: one for the induction of the photoreceptor fate and the other, involving Notch, for the inhibition of projection neuron traits. We propose a novel model in which Notch resolves mixed neural identities by repressing an undesired genetic program.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Figure Gallery (10 images)
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Expression
Phenotype
Fish Conditions Stage Phenotype Figure
mib1ta52b/ta52bcontrol14-19 somites
1 - 1 of 1
Show
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
hi781TgTransgenic Insertion
kca3TgTransgenic Insertion
    kca4TgTransgenic Insertion
      knu3TgTransgenic Insertion
        ta52b
          		Point Mutation
          tr233
            		Point Mutation
            y8TgTransgenic Insertion
              1 - 7 of 7
              Show
              Human Disease / Model
              No data available
              Sequence Targeting Reagents
              Target Reagent Reagent Type
              dldMO2-dldMRPHLNO
              dldMO4-dldMRPHLNO
              1 - 2 of 2
              Show
              Fish
              Fish
              dlahi781Tg/hi781Tg
              dlahi781Tg/hi781Tg; knu3Tg + MO2-dld + MO4-dld
              dldtr233/tr233
              kca3Tg; kca4Tg
              knu3Tg
              mib1ta52b/ta52b
              mib1ta52b/ta52b; knu3Tg
              mib1ta52b/ta52b; y8Tg
              WT
              y8Tg
              1 - 10 of 10
              Show
              Antibodies
              Orthology
              No data available
              Engineered Foreign Genes
              Marker Marker Type Name
              EGFPEFGEGFP
              GAL4EFGGAL4
              1 - 2 of 2
              Show
              Mapping
              No data available
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              Citation
              Cau, E., Quillien, A., and Blader, P. (2008) Notch resolves mixed neural identities in the zebrafish epiphysis. Development (Cambridge, England). 135(14):2391-2401.