Neuronal expression of ndst3 in early zebrafish development is responsive to Wnt signaling manipulation

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are constituents of the cell surface and extracellular matrix and are vital for various activities within the cell. The N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (heparin glucosaminyl) family of enzymes, or NDST, modifies heparan sulfate (HS) by catalyzing both the N-deacetylation and the N-sulfation of N-acetylglucosamine residues. In zebrafish, a single ndst3 gene is an orthologue of both mammalian NDST3 and NDST4 genes. The role of ndst3 in zebrafish development has not been investigated and such study may provide insight into the role(s) of both mammalian orthologues. Here, we characterized expression of ndst3 during early development in zebrafish and found it to be predominately neuronal. We found that expression of ndst3 is sensitive to Wnt signaling manipulation, with stimulation of the Wnt pathway resulting in robust expansion of ndst3 expression domains. Finally, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we mutagenized the ndst3 gene and isolated an allele, ndst3^nu20, resulting in a frameshift and premature protein truncation. We discovered Ndst3 is not essential for zebrafish survival as ndst3^nu20 homozygous mutants are viable and fertile.