Phylogenetic analysis and expression of zebrafish transient receptor potential melastatin family genes

• Published in: Developmental dynamics Vol. 242; no. 11; pp. 1236 - 1249
• Main Authors: Kastenhuber, Edda, Gesemann, Matthias, Mickoleit, Michaela, Neuhauss, Stephan C.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Danio rerio; Freshwater; In Situ Hybridization; Phylogeny; pronephros; Pronephros - metabolism; sensory neurons; Sensory Receptor Cells - metabolism; TRPM Cation Channels - classification; TRPM Cation Channels - genetics; TRPM ion channels; Zebrafish; Zebrafish Proteins - classification; Zebrafish Proteins - genetics; TRPM ion channels; sensory neurons; pronephros; Danio rerio
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24020

Background: The transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) gene family belongs to the superfamily of nonselective TRP ion channels. TRP channels are cellular sensors, detecting a multitude of inputs, including temperature, light, chemical, and mechanical stimuli. Recent studies revealed diverse roles during development, linking TRP channels to differentiation, proliferation, cell motility, cell death, and survival. A detailed description of this gene family in the zebrafish is still missing. Results: Phylogenetic analysis revealed 11 trpm genes in the zebrafish genome. The zebrafish orthologs of mammalian TRPM1 and TRPM4 are duplicated and quadruplicated, respectively, and TRPM8, a cold sensitive channel has been lost in zebrafish. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization experiments revealed dynamic expression pattern of trpm genes in the developing embryo and early larva. Transcripts were mainly found in neural cell clusters, but also in tissues involved in ion homeostasis. Conclusions: Our results suggest a role of TRPM channels in sensory information processing, including vision, olfaction, taste, and mechanosensation. An involvement in developmental processes is likely, as some trpm genes were found to be expressed in differentiating cells. Our data now provide a basis for functional analyses of this gene family of ion channels in the vertebrate model organism Danio rerio. Developmental Dynamics 242:1236–1249, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Key findings The zebrafish TRPM family consists of 11 genes. Zebrafish trpm genes show dynamic expression pattern over embryonic and larval stages. Expression was identified in both excitable and nonexcitable cells, reflecting the broad functional range of TRPM channels. Zebrafish trpm expression was found in cell clusters involved in sensory information processing, ion homeostasis, and osmolarity as well as in the developing brain.