PUBLICATION

Evolution and expression of the zebrafish unc119 paralogues indicates a conserved role in cilia

Authors
Jean, F., Pilgrim, D.
ID
ZDB-PUB-190507-39
Date
2019
Source
Gene expression patterns : GEP   33: 1-10 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Pilgrim, David
Keywords
In situ hybridization, Lipidated intraflagellar transport (LIFT), Phylogenetic tree, RT-PCR, Synteny, Vesicular trafficking
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cilia/metabolism*
  • Conserved Sequence*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Eye/metabolism
  • Nephrons/metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Spinal Cord/metabolism
  • Synteny
  • Zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins/chemistry
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
31055152 Full text @ Gene Expr. Patterns
Abstract
UNC119 proteins are required for ciliary trafficking in a process called lipidated protein intraflagellar targeting (LIFT) or through vesicle transport. However, although unc119 has been studied in a variety of contexts, either organismal constraints or genetic redundancy has largely restricted their study in ciliary contexts. One possible solution for this is to use the zebrafish, however, the unc119 genes have not been well described in this species. In our study, we show in a condensed species tree that the presence of unc119 genes correlates with the presence of cilia across eukaryotes and that phylogenetic evidence suggests there are three subgroups of UNC119 proteins. Zebrafish contain all three of these subgroups: two vertebrate-specific UNC119A proteins, one vertebrate-specific UNC119B protein, and one UNC119. Expression analyses show that each of the zebrafish unc119 genes are maternally-expressed and have overlapping but distinct expression in ciliated tissues, such as the eye, pronephric duct, and spinal cord. Overall, these findings set the foundation for future studies into the use of the zebrafish to study unc119 gene knock-outs, particularly from a ciliary perspective.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping