Otx2 expression and implications for olfactory imprinting in the anemonefish, Amphiprion percula
- Authors
- Veilleux, H.D., Van Herwerden, L., Cole, N.J., Don, E.K., De Santis, C., Dixson, D.L., Wenger, A.S., and Munday, P.L.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-131119-34
- Date
- 2013
- Source
- Biology Open 2(9): 907-915 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Cole, Nicholas, Don, Emily
- Keywords
- olfaction, coral reef fish, habitat selection, memory, candidate gene, in-situ hybridisation
- MeSH Terms
- none
- PubMed
- 24143277 Full text @ Biol. Open
The otx2 gene encodes a transcription factor (OTX2) essential in the formation of the brain and sensory systems. Specifically, OTX2-positive cells are associated with axons in the olfactory system of mice and otx2 is upregulated in odour-exposed zebrafish, indicating a possible role in olfactory imprinting. In this study, otx2 was used as a candidate gene to investigate the molecular mechanisms of olfactory imprinting to settlement cues in the coral reef anemonefish, Amphiprion percula. The A. percula otx2 (Ap-otx2) gene was elucidated, validated, and its expression tested in settlement-stage A. percula by exposing them to behaviourally relevant olfactory settlement cues in the first 24hours post-hatching, or daily throughout the larval phase. In-situ hybridisation revealed expression of Ap-otx2 throughout the olfactory epithelium with increased transcript staining in odour-exposed settlement-stage larval fish compared to no-odour controls, in all scenarios. This suggests that Ap-otx2 may be involved in olfactory imprinting to behaviourally relevant settlement odours in A. percula.