Using the Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino Zebrafish Line to Characterize In Vivo Expression of neurod
- Authors
- Thomas, J.L., Ochocinska, M.J., Hitchcock, P.F., and Thummel, R.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-120112-4
- Date
- 2012
- Source
- PLoS One 7(1): e29128 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Thomas, Jennifer, Thummel, Ryan
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics*
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- Cell Cycle/radiation effects
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/radiation effects
- Embryonic Development/genetics
- Embryonic Development/radiation effects
- Gene Expression
- Light
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
- Photoreceptor Cells/cytology
- Photoreceptor Cells/metabolism
- Photoreceptor Cells/radiation effects
- Regeneration/genetics
- Regeneration/radiation effects
- Zebrafish/embryology
- Zebrafish/genetics*
- PubMed
- 22235264 Full text @ PLoS One
In this study, we used a newly-created transgenic zebrafish, Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino, to further characterize the expression of neurod in the developing and adult retina and to determine neurod expression during adult photoreceptor regeneration. We also provide observations regarding the expression of neurod in a variety of other tissues. In this line, EGFP is found in cells of the developing and adult retina, pineal gland, cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, midbrain, hindbrain, neural tube, lateral line, inner ear, pancreas, gut, and fin. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we compare the expression of the nrd:egfp transgene to that of endogenous neurod and to known retinal cell types. Consistent with previous data based on in situ hybridizations, we show that during retinal development, the nrd:egfp transgene is not expressed in proliferating retinal neuroepithelium, and is expressed in a subset of retinal neurons. In contrast to previous studies, nrd:egfp is gradually re-expressed in all rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration in adult zebrafish, in situ hybridization reveals that neurod is not expressed in Müller glial-derived neuronal progenitors, but is expressed in photoreceptor progenitors as they migrate to the outer nuclear layer and differentiate into new rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration, expression of the nrd:egfp matches that of neurod. We conclude that Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino is a good representation of endogenous neurod expression, is a useful tool to visualize neurod expression in a variety of tissues and will aid investigating the fundamental processes that govern photoreceptor regeneration in adults.