PUBLICATION
A Rapid F0 CRISPR Screen in Zebrafish to Identify Regulator Genes of Neuronal Development in the Enteric Nervous System
- Authors
- Davidson, A.E., Straquadine, N.R.W., Cook, S.A., Liu, C.G., Nie, C., Spaulding, M.C., Ganz, J.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-250407-11
- Date
- 2025
- Source
- Neurogastroenterology and motility : e70009e70009 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Ganz, Julia
- Keywords
- CRISPR/Cas9, ENS neurons, ENS neuropathies, enteric progenitor cells, intestinal transit
- MeSH Terms
-
- Gene Editing/methods
- Neurons*/physiology
- Zebrafish/genetics
- Neurogenesis*/genetics
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
- Enteric Nervous System*/growth & development
- Enteric Nervous System*/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems*
- Animals
- PubMed
- 40189908 Full text @ Neurogastroenterol. Motil.
Citation
Davidson, A.E., Straquadine, N.R.W., Cook, S.A., Liu, C.G., Nie, C., Spaulding, M.C., Ganz, J. (2025) A Rapid F0 CRISPR Screen in Zebrafish to Identify Regulator Genes of Neuronal Development in the Enteric Nervous System. Neurogastroenterology and motility. :e70009e70009.
Abstract
Background The neural crest-derived enteric nervous system (ENS) provides the intrinsic innervation of the gut with diverse neuronal subtypes and glial cells. The ENS regulates all essential gut functions, such as motility, nutrient uptake, immune response, and microbiota colonization. Deficits in ENS neuron numbers and composition cause debilitating gut dysfunction. Yet, few studies have identified genes that control neuronal differentiation and the generation of the diverse neuronal subtypes in the ENS.
Methods Utilizing existing CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in zebrafish, we have developed a rapid and scalable screening approach for identifying genes that regulate ENS neurogenesis.
Key results As a proof-of-concept, F0 guide RNA-injected larvae (F0 crispants) targeting the known ENS regulator genes sox10, ret, or phox2bb phenocopied known ENS phenotypes with high efficiency. We evaluated 10 transcription factor candidate genes as regulators of ENS neurogenesis and function. F0 crispants for five of the tested genes have fewer ENS neurons. Secondary assays in F0 crispants for a subset of the genes that had fewer neurons reveal no effect on enteric progenitor cell migration but differential changes in gut motility.
Conclusions Our multistep, yet straightforward CRISPR screening approach in zebrafish tests the genetic basis of ENS developmental and disease gene functions that will facilitate the high-throughput evaluation of candidate genes from transcriptomic, genome-wide association, or other ENS-omics studies. Such in vivo ENS F0 crispant screens will contribute to a better understanding of ENS neuronal development regulation in vertebrates and what goes awry in ENS disorders.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping