Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
10:06
High Resolution Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization within Zebrafish Embryos to Study Gene Expression and Function
Published on: October 19, 2013
23.3K
Investigation of Islet2a function in zebrafish embryos: Mutants and morphants differ in morphologic phenotypes and
Rosa L Moreno1, Kristina Williams1, Kenneth L Jones2
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
Plos One
|June 22, 2018
Summary
Transcription factor Islet2a does not determine unique electrical properties in zebrafish CaP motor neurons. However, Islet2a disruption affects motor neuron morphology and gene expression, suggesting a role beyond electrophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Zebrafish primary motor neurons exhibit diverse electrophysiological properties.
- CaP motor neurons possess distinct inward and outward current densities compared to other motor neurons.
- The transcription factor Islet2a is uniquely expressed in CaP motor neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of transcription factor Islet2a in specifying the unique electrophysiological properties of zebrafish CaP motor neurons.
- To assess the impact of Islet2a disruption on motor neuron morphology and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Gene editing using TALENs and antisense morpholino to disrupt Islet2a function.
- Electrophysiology to measure neuronal currents.
- Microarray analysis to assess gene expression profiles.
- RNA in situ hybridization and immunolabeling to examine gene and protein expression in CaPs.
Main Results:
- Electrophysiology did not support a specific role for Islet2a in determining CaP's unique electrical properties.
- Morphological differences in CaP and other motor neurons were observed in islet2a mutants and morphants.
- Gene expression profiling revealed differential expression of 174-201 genes in morphants compared to mutants and controls.
- Islet protein persisted in CaPs of mutants, though at reduced levels.
Conclusions:
- Islet2a is not specifically required for the differentiation of stereotypic large inward and outward currents in CaP motor neurons.
- Islet2a plays a role in motor neuron morphology and gene expression.
- Further investigation is needed to fully elucidate the function of Islet proteins in CaP development.
Related Concept Videos
01:42What is Gene Expression?
196.9K
Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
196.9K
01:36What is Gene Expression?
11.5K
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then...
11.5K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
16.6K
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
16.6K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
5.6K
5.6K
02:35Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
24.9K
Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area.
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
24.9K
02:51mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
6.7K
The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
6.7K