function of the Egr1 transcription factor in cartilage formation and adaptation to microgravity in zebrafish, Danio rerio

• Published in: Journal of applied ichthyology Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 239 - 244
• Main Authors: Muller, M, Dalcq, J, Aceto, J, Larbuisson, A, Pasque, V, Nourizadeh-Lilladadi, R, Alestrom, P, Martial, J.A
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell Publishing
• Subjects: Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology; Biochimie, biophysique & biologie moléculaire; Danio rerio; Freshwater; Life sciences; Sciences du vivant; Teleostei
• ISSN: 0175-8659; 1439-0426; 1439-0426
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01413.x

Osteoporosis is one of the major concerns for an ageing human population and for passengers on long-term space flights. Teleosts represent a potentially interesting alternative for studying bone physiology. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), the cartilaginous elements that form the pharyngeal arches derive from cranial neural crest cells, whose proper patterning and morphogenesis require reciprocal interactions with other tissue types such as pharyngeal endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm. We show how the zebrafish can be used to study the function of signal transduction pathways, such as the Fgf pathway, or that of particular genes, such as the zinc finger transcription factor Egr1, in pharyngeal skeleton formation and maintenance. We investigate the changes caused by microgravity and chemical treatments on zebrafish. We analyze early gene expression modification using whole genome microarray experiments and the long-term consequences by staining bone structures.