Ribonuclease like 5 regulates zebrafish yolk extension by suppressing a p53-dependent DNA damage response pathway

Ribonuclease like 5 (Rnasel5) is a novel member of the zebrafish ribonuclease A family and its expression is increased during early embryogenesis. However, the in vivo biological function of Rnasel5 remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that knockdown of Rnasel5 by morhpolinos caused shrunken yolk extension as well as increased DNA damage at yolk syncytial layer and external tissue layers via the activation of p53 pathway. In addition, the morphological defects caused by Rnasel5 knockdown can be partially rescued by mRNA injection. Our findings provide the first functional characterization of Rnasel5 in zebrafish development and reveal its critical role in yolk extension by modulation of the p53 pathway.