Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
06:35
Visualization of Craniofacial Development in the sox10: kaede Transgenic Zebrafish Line Using Time-lapse Confocal Microscopy
Published on: September 30, 2013
Cell adhesion molecule cadherin-6 function in zebrafish cranial and lateral line ganglia development
1Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA.
Summary
Cadherin-6 (cdh6) is crucial for vertebrate nervous system development. Loss of cdh6 in zebrafish embryos resulted in abnormal cranial ganglia and nerve formation, highlighting its essential role.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Cadherins are vital cell adhesion molecules regulating vertebrate nervous system development.
- Cadherin-6 (cdh6) expression is prominent in embryonic zebrafish cranial and lateral line ganglia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific functions of cdh6 in cranial and lateral line ganglia and nerve development.
- To analyze the consequences of cdh6 loss-of-function on neurogenesis in zebrafish.
Main Methods:
- Utilized antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) to create zebrafish cdh6 loss-of-function models (cdh6 morphants).
- Observed and analyzed cranial ganglion and nerve development in cdh6 morphant embryos.
Main Results:
- cdh6 loss-of-function led to altered shape and reduced development in specific cranial and lateral line ganglia, including the statoacoustic and vagal ganglia.
- Cranial nerves exhibited abnormal formation in cdh6 morphant embryos.
Conclusions:
- Cadherin-6 plays an important role in the proper formation of cranial ganglia.
- cdh6 is essential for the development of cranial nerves and associated ganglia in vertebrates.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:25Structure of Cadherins
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
01:23Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...