Restricted expression of the receptor serine/threonine kinase BMPR-IB in zebrafish

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) comprise a rapidly expanding subclass of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. They are known to regulate a diverse range of developmental phenomena including cell differentiation, morphogenesis and apoptosis. In this study, we have isolated a zebrafish homolog of BMP type IB receptor (BMPR-IB) and examined the localization of the transcripts during embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed that unlike other type I and type II receptors that mediate BMP signal, it is expressed in developing somite and in mid-hind brain region in a restricted manner.