Identification and expression analysis of mical family genes in zebrafish

Mical (molecule interacting with CasL) represent a conserved family of cytosolic multidomain proteins that has been shown to be associated with a variety of cellular processes, including axon guidance, cell movement, cell-cell junction formation, vesicle trafficking and cancer cell metastasis. However, the expression and function of these genes during embryonic development have not been comprehensively characterized, especially in vertebrate species, although some limited in vivo studies have been carried out in neural and musculature systems of Drosophila and in neural systems of vertebrates. So far, no mical family homologs have been reported in zebrafish, an ideal vertebrate model for the study of developmental processes. Here we report eight homologs of mical family genes in zebrafish and their expression profiles during embryonic development. Consistent with the findings in Drosophila and mammals, most zebrafish mical family genes display expression in neural and musculature systems. In addition, five mical homologs are detected in heart, and one, micall2a, in blood vessels. Our data established an important basis for further functional studies of mical family genes in zebrafish, and suggest a possible role for mical genes in cardiovascular development.