PUBLICATION

Kit and foxd3 genetically interact to regulate melanophore survival in zebrafish

Authors
Cooper, C.D., Linbo, T.H., and Raible, D.W.
ID
ZDB-PUB-090324-10
Date
2009
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   238(4): 875-886 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Linbo, Tor, Raible, David
Keywords
melanophore, survival, morphology, kit signaling, foxd3, neural crest, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Survival
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Male
  • Melanins/biosynthesis
  • Melanophores/cytology*
  • Melanophores/metabolism*
  • Mutation/genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/growth & development
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism*
PubMed
19301400 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
We have investigated the role of foxd3 activity in conjunction with signaling by the kit tyrosine kinase receptor in zebrafish black pigment cell (melanophore) development. As loss-of-function of these molecules individually has distinct effects on melanophore number, we have examined the phenotype of double mutants. Individuals with a null mutation in kit have fewer melanophores than wild-type, with cells lost through death. When kit mutants are injected with foxd3 antisense morpholino oligonucleotides or crossed with a foxd3 zebrafish mutant, they have more melanophores than their uninjected or foxd3+ counterparts. Examination of foxd3 loss-of-function in two additional kit mutants that differentially alter kit-dependent migration and survival indicates a change in melanophore number in survival mutants only. Consistently, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end-labeling) analysis confirms a partial rescue of melanophores from cell death. Ectopic expression of foxd3 indicates that foxd3 promotes early melanophore death only when kit is inactive. Taken together, these data suggest a kit-dependent role for foxd3 in the regulation of melanophore survival.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping