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Generating and evaluating a ranked candidate gene list for potential vertebrate heart field regulators
G Musso1, C Mosimann2, D Panáková3
1Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Genomics Data
|December 24, 2015
Summary
Zebrafish embryos reveal that key genes Tbx5 and Pitx2 control heart development by influencing the first and second heart fields (FHF and SHF). This study details methods for analyzing gene expression data to understand heart field migration.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cardiovascular research
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- Vertebrate heart development involves two distinct cardiomyocyte lineages: the first heart field (FHF) and the second heart field (SHF).
- While initially thought unique to higher vertebrates, distinct FHF and SHF have been identified in lower vertebrates like zebrafish.
- Transcription factors Tbx5 and Pitx2 are crucial for septation and chamber formation in higher vertebrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of Tbx5 and Pitx2 in regulating FHF and SHF contributions to the zebrafish heart tube.
- To identify molecular regulators of heart field migration using gene expression profiling.
Main Methods:
- Microarray-based expression profiling was performed on embryonic zebrafish.
- Gene expression analysis was conducted following inhibition of tbx5a and pitx2ab.
- Procedures for data processing, prioritization, and functional enrichment analysis are described.
Main Results:
- Tbx5 and Pitx2 were found to influence the relative contributions of FHF and SHF to the developing zebrafish heart.
- Microarray analysis identified potential molecular modulators of heart field migration.
Conclusions:
- Tbx5 and Pitx2 play conserved roles in regulating heart field contributions across vertebrates.
- The described methods facilitate the analysis of gene expression data to uncover mechanisms of heart development.
