PUBLICATION

The role of Gdf5 in the development of the zebrafish fin endoskeleton

Authors
Waldmann, L., Leyhr, J., Zhang, H., Allalou, A., Öhman-Mägi, C., Haitina, T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210710-11
Date
2021
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   251(9): 1535-1549 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Gdf5 mutant, endoskeleton, fin radials, pectoral fin, zebrafish appendages
MeSH Terms
  • Animal Fins/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones/metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 5/genetics
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 5/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Zebrafish*/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
34242444 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate limb skeleton requires a complex interaction of multiple factors to facilitate the correct shaping and positioning of bones and joints. Growth and differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) is involved in patterning appendicular skeletal elements including joints. Expression of gdf5 in zebrafish has been detected in fin mesenchyme condensations and segmentation zones as well as the jaw joint, however little is known about the functional role of Gdf5 outside of Amniota.
We generated CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of gdf5 in zebrafish and analysed the resulting phenotype at different developmental stages. Homozygous gdf5 mutant zebrafish displayed changes in segmentation of the endoskeletal disc and, as a consequence, loss of posterior radials in the pectoral fins. Mutant fish also displayed disorganisation and reduced length of endoskeletal elements in the median fins, while joints and mineralisation seemed unaffected.
Our study demonstrates the importance of Gdf5 in the development of the zebrafish pectoral and median fin endoskeleton and reveals that the severity of the effect increases from anterior to posterior elements. Our findings are consistent with phenotypes observed in the human and mouse appendicular skeleton in response to Gdf5 knockout, suggesting a broadly conserved role for Gdf5 in Osteichthyes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genes / Markers
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping