PUBLICATION

A new high-content model system for studies of gastrointestinal transit: the zebrafish

Authors
Rich, A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-090309-14
Date
2009
Source
Neurogastroenterology and motility : (Other)
Registered Authors
Rich, Adam
Keywords
Cajal, Danio rerio, ICC, motility
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Tract*/anatomy & histology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract*/physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Transit/physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Animal*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research/economics
  • Zebrafish*/anatomy & histology
  • Zebrafish*/physiology
PubMed
19254352 Full text @ Neurogastroenterol. Motil.
Abstract
The zebrafish gastrointestinal (GI) tract displays an anatomy and cellular architecture that is similar to the human GI tract, with concentric layers of inner epithelia, connective tissue, circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle layers. Propulsion of luminal content results from the integrated activity of smooth muscle cells, enteric neurons and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Zebrafish larvae are transparent and propagating contractions in the entire GI tract are easily visualized. A new moderate-throughput zebrafish-based GI transit assay is described in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. This assay utilizes intact zebrafish larvae which contain essential regulatory elements (ICC and enteric neurons). Forward genetic analysis, which identifies genes underlying specific phenotypes, is possible using the zebrafish system. The zebrafish model system compliments existing models for studies of GI motility and will contribute to the understanding of the regulation of GI motility, and to identification of novel drug targets.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping