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Nasal embryonic LHRH factor plays a role in the developmental migration and projection of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone 3 neurons in zebrafish
Author(s) -
Palevitch Ori,
Abraham Eytan,
Borodovsky Natalya,
Levkowitz Gil,
Zohar Yonathan,
Gothilf Yoav
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21823
Subject(s) - zebrafish , biology , embryonic stem cell , gonadotropin releasing hormone , microbiology and biotechnology , gene knockdown , medicine , endocrinology , hormone , neuroscience , genetics , cell culture , gene , luteinizing hormone
The initiation of puberty and the functioning of the reproductive system depend on proper development of the hypophysiotropic gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) system. One critical step in this process is the embryonic migration of GnRH neurons from the olfactory area to the hypothalamus. Using a transgenic zebrafish model, Tg ( gnrh3:EGFP ), in which GnRH3 neurons and axons are fluorescently labeled, we investigated whether zebrafish NELF is essential for the development of GnRH3 neurons. The zebrafish nelf cDNA was cloned and characterized. During embryonic development, nelf is expressed in GnRH3 neurons and in target sites of GnRH3 projections and perikarya, before the initiation of their migration. Nelf knockdown resulted in a disruption of the GnRH3 system which included absence or misguiding of GnRH3 axonal outgrowth and incorrect or arrested migration of GnRH3 perikarya. These results suggest that Nelf is an important factor in the developmental migration and projection of GnRH3 neurons in zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics 238:66–75, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.