PUBLICATION
Effect of the sdc4 gene knockdown on muscle development in zebrafish
- Authors
- Wang, A.J., Du, C., Liu, H., Wang, H.L.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-251215-3
- Date
- 2026
- Source
- Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology 281: 111171 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Keywords
- Knockdown, Muscle, Zebrafish, sdc4 gene
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Muscle Development*/genetics
- Muscle, Skeletal*/growth & development
- Muscle, Skeletal*/metabolism
- Syndecan-4*/genetics
- Syndecan-4*/metabolism
- Wnt Signaling Pathway
- Zebrafish*/genetics
- Zebrafish*/growth & development
- Zebrafish*/metabolism
- Zebrafish Proteins*/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins*/metabolism
- PubMed
- 41390996 Full text @ Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B Biochem. Mol. Biol.
Citation
Wang, A.J., Du, C., Liu, H., Wang, H.L. (2026) Effect of the sdc4 gene knockdown on muscle development in zebrafish. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology. 281:111171.
Abstract
The growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle are closely related to syndecan-4 (Sdc4), which is a type I transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan belonging to the syndecan family. However, it remains unclear how the sdc4 gene affects fish muscle development. Therefore, an sdc4 knockdown zebrafish line (sdc4-/-) was generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology in this study, and its phenotypes were analyzed. The results revealed that sdc4-/- zebrafish exhibited reduced body length and weight compared to the wild-type (WT) at 90 days post fertilization (dpf). Furthemore, sdc4-/- zebrafish also showed a significantly larger number of muscle fibers, and significantly reduced individual muscle fiber cross-sectional area. The mRNA expression levels of genes associated with myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) and the wnt/β-catenin pathway were all significantly downregulated. Based on dual luciferase reporter assays, sdc4 gene expression was regulated by the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2aa (Mef2aa) and miR-141-3p, which bind to its promoter and 3' untranslated region (UTR), respectively. Additionally, the reduced average swimming speed and distance observed in sdc4-/- zebrafish at 90 dpf were concomitant with a significant downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex-related genes and a reduction in ATP concentration. This research aids understanding of sdc4 function in fish and may provide a new perspective for studying the molecular mechanisms of muscle growth and development.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping