PUBLICATION

Developmental and comparative transcriptomic identification of iridophore contribution to white barring in clownfish

Authors
Salis, P., Lorin, T., Lewis, V., Rey, C., Marcionetti, A., Escande, M.L., Roux, N., Besseau, L., Salamin, N., Sémon, M., Parichy, D., Volff, J.N., Laudet, V.
ID
ZDB-PUB-190113-17
Date
2019
Source
Pigment cell & melanoma research   32(3): 391-402 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Laudet, Vincent, Parichy, David M.
Keywords
Amphiprion, Clownfish, Coral Reef Fish, Iridophore, Leucophore, Transcriptomic
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Chromatophores/metabolism*
  • Fish Proteins/genetics*
  • Fishes/genetics*
  • Fishes/growth & development*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genome
  • Pigmentation/genetics*
  • Transcriptome*
PubMed
30633441 Full text @ Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.
Abstract
Actinopterygian fishes harbor at least eight distinct pigment cell types, leading to a fascinating diversity of colors. Among this diversity, the cellular origin of the white color appears to be linked to several pigment cell types such as iridophores or leucophores. We used the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris, which has a color pattern consisting of white bars over a darker body, to characterize the pigment cells that underlie the white hue. We observe by electron microscopy that cells in white bars are similar to iridophores. In addition, the transcriptomic signature of clownfish white bars exhibit similarities with that of zebrafish iridophores. We further show by pharmacological treatments that these cells are necessary for the white color. Among the top differentially expressed genes in white skin, we identified several genes (fhl2a, fhl2b, saiyan, gpnmb and apoD1a) and show that 3 of them are expressed in iridophores. Finally, we show by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis that these genes are critical for iridophore development in zebrafish. Our analyses provide clues to the genomic underpinning of color diversity and allow identification of new iridophores genes in fish. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping