PUBLICATION
Frataxin is essential for zebrafish embryogenesis and pronephros formation
- Authors
- Ercanbrack, W.S., Dungan, A., Gaul, E., Ramirez, M., J DelVecchio, A., Grass, C., Wingert, R.A.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-250109-59
- Date
- 2024
- Source
- Frontiers in cell and developmental biology 12: 14962441496244 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Wingert, Rebecca
- Keywords
- development, frataxin, kidney, metabolism, nephron, zebrafish
- MeSH Terms
- none
- PubMed
- 39723241 Full text @ Front Cell Dev Biol
Citation
Ercanbrack, W.S., Dungan, A., Gaul, E., Ramirez, M., J DelVecchio, A., Grass, C., Wingert, R.A. (2024) Frataxin is essential for zebrafish embryogenesis and pronephros formation. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology. 12:14962441496244.
Abstract
Background and objectives Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) is a genetic disease that affects a variety of different tissues. The disease is caused by a mutation in the frataxin gene (FXN) which is important for the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters. The primary pathologies of FRDA are loss of motor control and cardiomyopathy. These occur due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain and the heart due to their high metabolic rates. Our research aims to understand how developmental processes and the kidney are impacted by a deficiency of FXN.
Methods We utilized an antisense oligomer, or morpholino, to knockdown the frataxin gene (fxn) in zebrafish embryos. Knockdown was confirmed via RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, and Sanger sequencing. To investigate phenotypes, we utilized several staining techniques including whole mount in situ hybridization, Alcian blue, and acridine orange, as well as dextran-FITC clearance assays.
Results fxn deficient animals displayed otolith malformations, edema, and reduced survival. Alcian blue staining revealed craniofacial defects in fxn deficient animals, and gene expression studies showed that the pronephros, or embryonic kidney, had several morphological defects. We investigated the function of the pronephros through clearance assays and found that the renal function is disrupted in fxn deficient animals in addition to proximal tubule endocytosis. Utilizing acridine orange staining, we found that cell death is a partial contributor to these phenotypes.
Discussion and conclusion This work provides new insights about how fxn deficiency impacts development and kidney morphogenesis. Additionally, this work establishes an additional model system to study FRDA.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping