PUBLICATION

Zebrafish primary neurons initiate expression of the LIM homeodomain protein Isl-1 at the end of gastrulation

Authors
Korzh, V., Edlund, T., and Thor, S.
ID
ZDB-PUB-961014-628
Date
1993
Source
Development (Cambridge, England)   118: 417-425 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Korzh, Vladimir, Thor, Stefan
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System/embryology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
  • Gastrula/physiology*
  • Gene Expression/physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation/physiology*
  • Genetic Markers
  • Homeodomain Proteins*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurons/physiology*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish/genetics
PubMed
8223269 Full text @ Development
Abstract
Isl-1 has previously been established as the earliest marker of developing chicken spinal motor neurons where it is regulated by inductive signals from the floorplate and notochord. We now report that, in zebrafish, the expression of Isl-1 is initiated in Rohon-Beard cells, primary motor neurons, interneurons and cranial ganglia, hours before the neural tube itself is formed. The expression is initiated simultaneously in the Rohon-Beard cells and the primary motor neurons, at the axial level of the presumptive first somite. The Isl-1- expressing motor neurons appear on either side of the ventral midline whereas the interneurons and Rohon-Beard cells initiate expression while located at the edge of the germinal shield. Isl-1 expression is initiated in these cells before the formation of a differentiated notochord. Isl-1 is expressed in the various functional classes of primary neurons at 24 hours postfertilization. This selective expression of a homeodomain protein in the primary neurons implies that these neurons share a common program of early development and that they have evolved and been selected for as a coordinated system. One of the functions of the primary neurons is to send long axons which pioneer the major axon tracts in the zebrafish embryo. An evolutionary conserved functional role for Isl-1 in the expression of the pioneering phenotype of the primary neurons is suggested.
Genes / Markers
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Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
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Mapping