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The lateral line of zebrafish: a model system for the analysis of morphogenesis and neural development in vertebrates
Author(s) -
DamblyChaudière Christine,
Sapède Dora,
Soubiran Fabien,
Decorde Kelly,
Gompel Nicolas,
Ghysen Alain
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1016/j.biolcel.2003.10.005
Subject(s) - zebrafish , biology , morphogenesis , lateral line , line (geometry) , neural development , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , genetics , geometry , gene , mathematics
The lateral line of the zebrafish has many of the advantages that made the sensory organs of Drosophila a very productive model system: 1) it comprises a set of discrete sense organs (neuromasts) arranged in a defined, species‐specific pattern, such that each organ can be individually recognized; 2) the neuromasts are superficial and easy to visualize, and the innervating neurons are easy to label; 3) the sensory projection is simple yet reproducibly organized. Here we describe some of the tools that can be used to investigate the development of this system, and we illustrate their usefulness with specific exemples. We conclude that the lateral line is uniquely suited among vertebrate sensory systems for a molecular, cellular and genetic analysis of pattern formation and of neural development.