Functional Analysis of the Zebrafish Caudal Fin Regeneration

Minshuo Lin, Université D'Ottawa / University Of Ottawa, Université D'Ottawa / University Of Ottawa
2013
The caudal fin of zebrafish (danio rerio) is often used to study regeneration thanks to its extraordinary regenerative ability, easy access, and relative simplicity in structure. Branching morphogenesis is observed in many organs, including lungs and salivary glands in mammals, as well as the fin rays in zebrafish and is thought to follow unifying principles. An important developmental gene, sonic hedgehog a (shha), has been shown in other studies to play an essential role in the branch
more » ... n. Previous studies in our lab have shown that the transient depletion of the shha-expressing cells following laser ablation of the shha-expressing cells in the regenerating caudal fin results in a delay of fin rays branch formation. In order to study the long-term effect of ablating the shha-expressing cells, I generated a new zebrafish transgenic line (Tg)(2.4shha:CFP-NTR-ABC) to perform a conditional cell ablation using the Metronidazole/Nitroreductase (Mtz/NTR) system. Preliminary data suggest that cell ablation using the Mtz/NTR system is successful in the Tg(2.4shha:CFP-NTR-ABC) embryos. In addition, short-term ablation of the shha-expressing cells through Mtz/NTR system delays branch formation during caudal fin regeneration of the Tg(2.4shha:CFP-NTR-ABC) adult fish. Further work will involve the analysis of the effects of the long-term ablation of the shha-expressing cells and the involvement of other signaling pathways in the ray branching formation during zebrafish caudal fin regeneration. This study can provide insights into understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying branching morphogenesis in various organs. During the course of the above project, I have observed an organ-wide response to local injury in the zebrafish caudal fin. In this study, I have shown, for the first time, an immediate organ-wide response to partial fin amputation characterized by the damage of blood vessels, nerve fibers and the activation of inflammatory response in the non-amputated tissues. I established that the adult zebrafi [...]
doi:10.20381/ruor-3263 fatcat:oysmiylh4jcmlilwhws4olp27y