Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
High Resolution Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization within Zebrafish Embryos to Study Gene Expression and Function
Published on: October 19, 2013
Comparative analysis of genes regulated by Dzip1/iguana and hedgehog in zebrafish
Corey R Arnold1, Ryan E Lamont, John T Walker
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
Background:
The zebrafish genetic mutant iguana (igu) has defects in the ciliary basal body protein Dzip1, causing improper cilia formation. Dzip1 also interacts with the downstream transcriptional activators of Hedgehog (Hh), the Gli proteins, and Hh signaling is disrupted in igu mutants. Hh governs a wide range of developmental processes, including stabilizing developing blood vessels to prevent hemorrhage. Using igu mutant embryos and embryos treated with the Hh pathway antagonist cyclopamine, we conducted a microarray to determine genes involved in Hh signaling mediating vascular stability.
Results:
We identified 40 genes with significantly altered expression in both igu mutants and cyclopamine-treated embryos. For a subset of these, we used in situ hybridization to determine localization during embryonic development and confirm the expression changes seen on the array.
Conclusions:
Through comparing gene expression changes in a genetic model of vascular instability with a chemical inhibition of Hh signaling, we identified a set of 40 differentially expressed genes with potential roles in vascular stabilization.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
02:02Cis-regulatory Sequences
02:46Genetic Screens
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which...