Genetic Steps to Organ Laterality in Zebrafish
Author Information
Author(s): Jau-Nian Chen, Frauke van Bebber, Allan M. Goldstein, Fabrizio C. Serluca, Donald Jackson, Sarah Childs, George Serbedzija, Kerri S. Warren, John D. Mably, Per Lindahl, Alan Mayer, Pascal Haffter, Mark C. Fishman
Primary Institution: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
How are organs linked to each other as they achieve their laterally asymmetric positions?
Conclusion
The study identifies seven mutations that disrupt organ laterality in zebrafish without affecting other embryonic structures.
Supporting Evidence
- Seven recessive mutations affecting organ laterality were isolated from 750 genomes examined.
- Class 1 mutations resulted in symmetrical organ positions without left-right asymmetry.
- Class 2 mutations showed variable organ positions, including normal, reversed, or randomized.
- Class 3 mutations selectively affected the laterality of the heart.
Takeaway
This study found that zebrafish can have their organs placed on the wrong side, and they discovered some genes that cause this to happen.
Methodology
Mutations were generated by ENU mutagenesis and examined in F3 progeny using specific probes for organ primordia.
Limitations
The study focused only on specific mutations and did not explore all possible genetic factors affecting organ laterality.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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