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Targeted gene expression in the zebrafish prechordal plate
Author(s) -
Inbal Adi,
Topczewski Jacek,
SolnicaKrezel Lilianna
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20253
Subject(s) - gastrulation , biology , zebrafish , gene , genetics , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell
Targeted gene expression is a powerful tool for understanding gene function in vivo. In zebrafish, overexpression of gene products is typically accomplished ubiquitously, without temporal and spatial specificity. However, the yeast Gal4/UAS system can be used for targeted gene expression in zebrafish. Here we describe the generation and characterization of Tg [ gsc: Gal4‐VP16 ] transgenic zebrafish lines that harbor a construct encoding Gal4‐VP16 transcriptional activator under the control of a fragment of the goosecoid gene promoter. Tg [ gsc:Gal4‐VP16 ] embryos express Gal4‐VP16 RNA in presumptive prechordal plate mesendoderm during late blastula and throughout gastrulation. By crossing these fish to Tg [ UAS‐GFP ] transgenic fish, we show that the gsc:Gal4‐VP16 transgene is capable of driving strong expression of a target gene in the prechordal plate and its derivatives during gastrulation and segmentation. Thus, the use of Tg [ gsc:Gal4‐VP16 ] fish can help in understanding gene function in the prechordal plate, an embryonic structure that is crucial for normal neural patterning. genesis 44:584–588, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.