Developmental expression patterns of FTZ-F1 homologues in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The fushi tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) gene family constitutes a subgroup of orphan nuclear receptors which can be divided into two groups (LRH/FTF- and SF-1/Ad4BP-like) based on sequence homology, function, and tissue distribution. Analysis of zebrafish FTZ-F1 homologues (zFF1 and ff1b) during embryogenesis indicated distinct expression patterns for both genes. Besides the previously observed expression in pituitary/hypothalamus and mandibular arch, zFF1 transcripts were also detected in domains corresponding to the pronephric duct, somites, liver, and hindbrain. Additionally, ff1b transcripts were detected at other developmental stages than earlier documented. Comparative sequence analysis showed that zFF1 exhibited higher sequence similarity to the LRH/FTF group than the SF-1/Ad4BP group, whereas ff1b was indistinguishable between the groups. These observations, coupled with obtained expression patterns, indicate that zebrafish FTZ-F1 homologues exhibit characteristics that are indicative of both LRH/FTF- and SF-1/Ad4BP-like genes.