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Updated: May 23, 2026
Sample Preparation and Analysis of RNASeq-based Gene Expression Data from Zebrafish
Published on: October 27, 2017
Characterization of the RNA-binding protein Musashi1 in zebrafish
Shinsuke Shibata1, Masahiko Umei, Hironori Kawahara
1Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
Abstract:
Musashi (Msi) is an evolutionarily conserved gene family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that is preferentially expressed in the nervous system. The first member of the Msi family was identified in Drosophila. Drosophila Msi plays an important role in regulating asymmetric cell division of the sensory organ precursor cells. The mammalian orthologs, including human and mouse Musashi1 (Msi1), are neural RBPs that are strongly expressed in fetal and adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). Mammalian Msi1 contributes to self renewal of NS/PCs through translational regulation of several target mRNAs. In this study, the zebrafish Msi ortholog zMsi1 was identified and characterized. The normal spatial and temporal expression profiles for both protein and mRNA were determined. A series of splice variants were detected. Overall, zMsi1 was strongly expressed in neural tissue in early stages of development and exhibited similarity to mammalian Msi1 expression patterns. To reveal the in vivo function of zMsi1, morpholinos against Msi1 were introduced into one-cell stage zebrafish embryos. Knock down of zmsi1 frequently resulted in aberrant formation of the Central Nervous System (CNS). These results suggest that Msi1 plays roles in CNS development in vertebrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "RNA-Binding Proteins".
Insights
The study identified zebrafish Musashi1 (zMsi1), an RNA-binding protein crucial for nervous system development. Knocking down zMsi1 in zebrafish embryos led to abnormal central nervous system formation, highlighting its role in vertebrate CNS development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Musashi (Msi) proteins are conserved RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) vital for nervous system development.
- Mammalian Musashi1 (Msi1) is expressed in neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) and regulates their self-renewal.
- The function of Msi1 in vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) development requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the zebrafish Msi ortholog, zMsi1.
- To investigate the role of zMsi1 in zebrafish embryonic development, particularly CNS formation.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of zMsi1.
- Determination of zMsi1 mRNA and protein expression patterns.
- Zebrafish embryo morpholino knockdown of zMsi1.
Main Results:
- zMsi1 expression was detected in neural tissues during early development, similar to mammalian Msi1.
- Splice variants of zMsi1 were identified.
- Knockdown of zMsi1 resulted in frequent aberrant formation of the CNS.
Conclusions:
- zMsi1 plays a significant role in the development of the vertebrate CNS.
- These findings underscore the conserved function of Msi1 in CNS development across species.
