PUBLICATION

Insights into the evolutionary history of the vertebrate zic3 locus from a teleost-specific zic6 gene in the zebrafish, Danio rerio

Authors
Keller, M.J., and Chitnis, A.B.
ID
ZDB-PUB-070523-10
Date
2007
Source
Development genes and evolution   217(7): 541-547 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Chitnis, Ajay
Keywords
Fishes, Zic, Evolution, Gene expression, Synteny
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*
  • Mice
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Repressor Proteins/genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Synteny
  • Transcription Factors/genetics*
  • Zebrafish/genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
PubMed
17503076 Full text @ Dev. Genes Evol.
Abstract
The Zic gene family of zinc-finger transcription factors includes five orthologues, zic1-5, that are common to the Euteleostian vertebrates (fish, frogs, birds, and mammals). The Zic genes have been implicated as regulators of a number of critical developmental processes, including neurulation, neuronal differentiation, neural crest specification, the establishment of left-right asymmetry, and regulation of cell proliferation. The different Zic genes encode proteins that are expressed in broadly overlapping spatial domains, have conserved DNA-binding domains that recognize a common motif, are capable of physical interactions, and can co-regulate one another's transcription. Thus, the transcriptional regulation of individual proteins and their effects on downstream targets must be assessed within the context of co-expression with other family members. We describe a novel gene, zic6, that is specific to the teleost fishes and lacks the lateral and rostral expression domains typical of the other Zic family members. We present evidence that zic6 is an ancestral locus arising by chromosomal duplication early in the Euteleostomi that was subsequently lost in the terrestrial vertebrates.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping