Work

Early requirement for fgf8 function during hindbrain pattern formation in zebrafish

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is required for normal development of the vertebrate brain, including the isthmus and caudal regions of the hindbrain. Recent work in zebrafish has identified a requirement for the combination of fgf3 and fgf8 functions in specification of rhombomeres 5 and 6 (r5, r6), when evaluated at mid- and late somitogenesis stages. However, when examined earlier in development, during early somitogenesis stages, FGF8 alone is required to initiate r5 and r6 development. Both a mutation in fgf8 and injection of fgf8-targeted antisense morpholino-modified oligonucleotides result in suppression of genes normally expressed in r5 and r6 by the one- to two-somite stage. This expression recovers by the six-somite stage, and we propose that this recovery is a response to activation of fgf3 and to delayed accumulation of fgf8. These data demonstrate an early, nonredundant requirement for fgf8 function in hindbrain patterning.

Source: Developmental Dynamics

DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.10464

Authors: Elizabeth L. Wiellette, Hazel Sive

Institutions: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Awards: G2292391374, ZEBRAFISH NEUROGENESIS-- EMBRYOLOGY AND GENETICS, ISOLATION OF GENES USED IN ZEBRAFISH FOREBRAIN INDUCTION, G6836853534