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Expression patterns of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor in loach fish embryos
1Biological Institute, Hyogo University of Teachers Education, Yashiro, Kato-gun, 673-14, Hyogo, Japan.
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry
|November 7, 2013
Summary
Heparin-binding proteins from loach fish embryos stimulate goldfish fin regeneration. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF-1 and FGF-2) were identified in early embryo stages, but diminished in later stages.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are crucial signaling molecules in embryonic development and tissue repair.
- Heparin-binding proteins play significant roles in cellular processes, including mitogenesis and differentiation.
- Fish embryos serve as valuable models for studying conserved developmental mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and mitogenic activity of heparin-binding proteins in loach fish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) embryos.
- To identify specific fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) within these fractions and assess their developmental stage-specific expression.
- To explore the potential role of these factors in fin regeneration by examining their activity on goldfish fin blastema cells.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and purification of heparin-binding proteins from loach fish embryos at various developmental stages (blastula, gastrula, 4-8 somites, 12-16 somites) using heparin sepharose chromatography.
- Assay of mitogenic activity of the purified fractions on fibroblast-like cells from goldfish caudal fin blastema.
- Western blot analysis using monoclonal antibodies against human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2).
Main Results:
- Heparin-binding fractions from blastula, gastrula, and 4-8 somite stage embryos exhibited potent mitogenic activity.
- Immunoreactive FGF-1 was detected in heparin-binding fractions from blastula, gastrula, and 4-8 somite stages.
- Immunoreactive FGF-2 was exclusively found in the 4-8 somite stage heparin-binding fraction.
- No immunoreactive FGF-1 or FGF-2 bands were detected in the heparin-binding fraction from 12-16 somite stage embryos.
Conclusions:
- Loach fish embryos express developmentally regulated heparin-binding growth factors, including FGF-1 and FGF-2.
- These factors possess mitogenic activity relevant to tissue regeneration, as demonstrated by their effect on goldfish fin blastema cells.
- The presence of FGF-1 and FGF-2 diminishes in later embryonic stages, suggesting a specific role during early development and potentially early regenerative processes.
