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An Assay for Permeability of the Zebrafish Embryonic Neuroepithelium
Published on: October 24, 2012
Dual function of polysialic acid during zebrafish central nervous system development.
M Marx1, U Rutishauser, M Bastmeyer
1Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Fach M626, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|December 19, 2001
Summary
Polysialic acid (PSA) modulates neural development in zebrafish. Its removal disrupts axon guidance, affecting commissure formation and midline crossing, suggesting distinct roles in CNS development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Polysialic acid (PSA) is a post-translational modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM).
- PSA influences cell migration, neurite outgrowth, and synaptic plasticity.
- Its role in vertebrate nervous system development, particularly in axon guidance, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of PSA in the developing zebrafish central nervous system (CNS).
- To determine the functional role of PSA in axonal pathfinding and commissure formation.
Main Methods:
- Whole-mount immunocytochemistry using PSA-specific antibodies.
- Enzymatic removal of PSA.
- Injections of soluble PSA.
Main Results:
- PSA is transiently expressed on cell bodies but not axons, except for the posterior commissure.
- Floorplate cells exhibit strong PSA expression throughout development.
- Enzymatic PSA removal caused defasciculation of the posterior commissure and impaired hindbrain commissure crossing.
- Soluble PSA mimicked hindbrain but not posterior commissure defects.
Conclusions:
- PSA plays distinct roles in regulating axonal growth and midline guidance in the zebrafish CNS.
- Mechanisms of PSA action differ between the posterior commissure and other axonal pathways.
