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Transcription factor Ap-2α is necessary for development of embryonic melanophores, autonomic neurons and pharyngeal skeleton in zebrafish
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Transcription factor Ap-2α is necessary for development of embryonic melanophores, autonomic neurons and pharyngeal skeleton in zebrafish

Erin K O'Brien, Claudia d'Alençon, Gregory Bonde, Wei Li, Jeff Schoenebeck, Miguel L Allende, Bruce D Gelb, Deborah Yelon, Judith S Eisen and Robert A Cornell
Developmental biology, Vol.265(1), pp.246-261
2004
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.09.029
PMID: 14697367
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.09.029View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The genes that control development of embryonic melanocytes are poorly defined. Although transcription factor Ap-2α is expressed in neural crest (NC) cells, its role in development of embryonic melanocytes and other neural crest derivatives is unclear because mouse Ap-2α mutants die before melanogenesis. We show that zebrafish embryos injected with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides complementary to ap-2α ( ap-2α MO) complete early morphogenesis normally and have neural crest cells. Expression of c-kit, which encodes the receptor for the Steel ligand, is reduced in these embryos, and, similar to zebrafish c-kit mutant embryos, embryonic melanophores are reduced in number and migration. The effects of ap-2α MO injected into heterozygous and homozygous c-kit mutants support the notion that Ap-2α works through C-kit and additional target genes to mediate melanophore cell number and migration. In contrast to c-kit mutant embryos, in ap-2α MO-injected embryos, melanophores are small and under-pigmented, and unexpectedly, analysis of mosaic embryos suggests Ap-2α regulates melanophore differentiation through cell non-autonomous targets. In addition to melanophore phenotypes, we document reduction of other neural crest derivatives in ap-2α MO-injected embryos, including jaw cartilage, enteric neurons, and sympathetic neurons. These results reveal that Ap-2α regulates multiple steps of melanophore development, and is required for development of other neuronal and non-neuronal neural crest derivatives.
Hirschsprung's disease Branchial arches Enteric neurons c-kit Sympathetic neurons Transcription factor ap-2 Melanocyte Cranial nerves Zebrafish Morpholino Neural crest

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