PUBLICATION

Prep1.1 has essential genetic functions in hindbrain development and cranial neural crest cell differentiation

Authors
Deflorian, G., Tiso, N., Ferretti, E., Meyer, D., Blasi, F., Bortolussi, M., and Argenton, F.
ID
ZDB-PUB-040109-2
Date
2004
Source
Development (Cambridge, England)   131(3): 613-627 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Argenton, Francesco, Bortolussi, Marino, Deflorian, Gianluca, Meyer, Dirk, Tiso, Natascia
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Branchial Region/embryology
  • Branchial Region/metabolism
  • Cartilage/abnormalities
  • Cartilage/metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation/physiology*
  • Cell Nucleus/metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism*
  • Gastrula/metabolism
  • Head/abnormalities
  • Head/physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
  • Neural Crest/embryology*
  • Neural Crest/metabolism
  • Protein Transport/physiology
  • Rhombencephalon/embryology*
  • Rhombencephalon/metabolism
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
14711874 Full text @ Development
Abstract
In this study we analysed the function of the Meinox gene prep1.1 during zebrafish development. Meinox proteins form heterotrimeric complexes with Hox and Pbx members, increasing the DNA binding specificity of Hox proteins in vitro and in vivo. However, a role for a specific Meinox protein in the regulation of Hox activity in vivo has not been demonstrated. In situ hybridization showed that prep1.1 is expressed maternally and ubiquitously up to 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf), and restricted to the head from 48 hpf onwards. Morpholino-induced prep1.1 loss-of-function caused significant apoptosis in the CNS. Hindbrain segmentation and patterning was affected severely, as revealed by either loss or defective expression of several hindbrain markers (foxb1.2/mariposa, krox20, pax2.1 and pax6.1), including anteriorly expressed Hox genes (hoxb1a, hoxa2 and hoxb2), the impaired migration of facial nerve motor neurons, and the lack of reticulospinal neurons (RSNs) except Mauthner cells. Furthermore, the heads of prep1.1 morphants lacked all pharyngeal cartilages. This was not caused by the absence of neural crest cells or their impaired migration into the pharyngeal arches, as shown by expression of dlx2 and snail1, but by the inability of these cells to differentiate into chondroblasts. Our results indicate that prep1.1 has a unique genetic function in craniofacial chondrogenesis and, acting as a member of Meinox-Pbc-Hox trimers, it plays an essential role in hindbrain development.
Genes / Markers
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping