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Using TgVtg1:mcherry Zebrafish Embryos to Test the Estrogenic Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
Published on: August 8, 2020
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Identification of estrogen target genes during zebrafish embryonic development through transcriptomic analysis
Ruixin Hao1, Maria Bondesson, Amar V Singh
1Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 14, 2013
Summary
Estrogen signaling impacts zebrafish embryonic development in stage- and tissue-specific ways. Researchers identified key estrogen-responsive genes, some potentially serving as biomarkers for endocrine disruptors.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
- Genomics
Background:
- Estrogen signaling is crucial for vertebrate embryonic development.
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) serve as a valuable vertebrate model for studying developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze estrogen signaling pathways during zebrafish embryonic development.
- To identify stage- and tissue-specific gene expression changes induced by estrogen.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2) from 3 hours to 4 days post-fertilization.
- Transcriptome analysis using microarrays identified differentially expressed genes.
- Gene enrichment analysis and visualization using transgenic zebrafish (Tg(5xERE:GFP)) were performed.
Main Results:
- Estrogen treatment (E2) resulted in distinct sets of up- and down-regulated genes at different developmental time points.
- The vitellogenin 1 (vtg1) gene was the only estrogenic marker consistently co-regulated across all time points.
- Estrogen-responsive genes were primarily enriched in the liver, pancreas, and brain tissues.
- Comparison with adult zebrafish revealed a few co-regulated genes, potentially useful as estrogenic biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen's effects on early zebrafish development are both stage- and tissue-specific.
- Identified genes offer insights into estrogenic actions during embryogenesis.
- Potential biomarkers for estrogen exposure and endocrine disruptors were identified in zebrafish.
