PUBLICATION

Evolutionarily conserved roles of foxg1a in the developing subpallium of zebrafish embryos

Authors
Umeda, K., Tanaka, K., Chowdhury, G., Nasu, K., Kuroyanagi, Y., Yamasu, K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-240222-6
Date
2024
Source
Development, growth & differentiation   66(3): 219-234 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Yamasu, Kyo
Keywords
CRISPR/Cas9, foxg1/foxg1a, pallium, subpallium, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex/metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors*/genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors*/metabolism
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
  • Telencephalon/metabolism
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
  • Zebrafish*/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
38378191 Full text @ Dev. Growth Diff.
Abstract
The vertebrate telencephalic lobes consist of the pallium (dorsal) and subpallium (ventral). The subpallium gives rise to the basal ganglia, encompassing the pallidum and striatum. The development of this region is believed to depend on Foxg1/Foxg1a functions in both mice and zebrafish. This study aims to elucidate the genetic regulatory network controlled by foxg1a in subpallium development using zebrafish as a model. The expression gradient of foxg1a within the developing telencephalon was examined semi-quantitatively in initial investigations. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we subsequently established a foxg1a mutant line and observed the resultant phenotypes. Morphological assessment revealed that foxg1a mutants exhibit a thin telencephalon together with a misshapen preoptic area (POA). Notably, accumulation of apoptotic cells was identified in this region. In mutants at 24 h postfertilization, the expression of pallium markers expanded ventrally, while that of subpallium markers was markedly suppressed. Concurrently, the expression of fgf8a, vax2, and six3b was shifted ventrally, causing anomalous expression in regions typical of POA formation in wild-type embryos. Consequently, the foxg1a mutation led to expansion of the pallium and disrupted the subpallium and POA. This highlights a pivotal role of foxg1a in directing the dorsoventral patterning of the telencephalon, particularly in subpallium differentiation, mirroring observations in mice. Additionally, reduced expression of neural progenitor maintenance genes was detected in mutants, suggesting the necessity of foxg1a in preserving neural progenitors. Collectively, these findings underscore evolutionarily conserved functions of foxg1 in the development of the subpallium in vertebrate embryos.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping