Comparative gene expression analysis of the fmnl family of formins during zebrafish development and implications for tissue specific functions
- Authors
- Santos-Ledo, A., Jenny, A., and Marlow, F.L.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-121019-42
- Date
- 2013
- Source
- Gene expression patterns : GEP 13(1-2): 30-37 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Marlow, Florence
- Keywords
- actin, vascular system, visual system, otic vesicles, brain
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism*
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
- Multigene Family
- Organ Specificity
- Transcription, Genetic
- Zebrafish
- Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism*
- PubMed
- 23072729 Full text @ Gene Expr. Patterns
Fmlns belong to the Formin family, catalysts of linear Actin polymerization with mostly unknown roles in vivo. In cell culture Fmnls are involved in cell migration and adhesion and the formation of different types of protrusions including filopodia and blebs, suggesting important roles during development. Moreover, Fmnls can act downstream of Rac and Cdc42, mediators of cytoskeletal changes as targets of important pathways required for shaping tissues. The zebrafish genome encodes five Fmnls. Here we report their tissue specific expression patterns during early development and pharyngula stages. The fmnls show overlapping and distinct expression patterns, which suggest that they could regulate similar processes during development, but may also have independent functions. In particular, we find a strong maternal contribution of all fmnls, but distinct expression patterns in the developing brain eye, ear, heart and vascular system.