PUBLICATION

A Kupffer's vesicle size threshold for robust left-right patterning of the zebrafish embryo

Authors
Gokey, J.J., Ji, Y., Tay, H.G., Litts, B., Amack, J.D.
ID
ZDB-PUB-151008-9
Date
2016
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   245(1): 22-33 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Amack, Jeffrey, Gokey, Jason, Ji, Yongchang, Tay, Hwee Goon
Keywords
Cilia, Congenital disease, Developmental noise, Left-right patterning, Organ size control
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning/physiology*
  • Cilia/physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology
  • Embryonic Development/physiology*
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
26442502 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Motile cilia in the 'organ of asymmetry' create directional fluid flows that are vital for left-right (LR) asymmetric patterning of vertebrate embryos. Organ function often depends on tightly regulated organ size control, but the role of organ of asymmetry size in LR patterning has remained unknown. Observations of the organ of asymmetry in the zebrafish -called Kupffer's vesicle (KV)-have suggested significant variations in KV size in wild-type embryos, raising questions about the impact of KV organ size on LR patterning.
To understand the relationship between organ of asymmetry size and its function, we characterized variations in KV at several developmental stages and in several different zebrafish strains. We found that the number of KV cilia and the size of the KV lumen were highly variable, whereas the length of KV cilia showed less variation. These variabilities were similar among different genetic backgrounds. By specifically modulating KV size and analyzing individual embryos, we identified a size threshold that is necessary for KV function.
Together these results indicate the KV organ of asymmetry size is not tightly controlled during development, but rather must only exceed a threshold to direct robust LR patterning of the zebrafish embryo. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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