Human melanoma cells transplanted into zebrafish proliferate, migrate, produce melanin, form masses and stimulate angiogenesis in zebrafish.

In this research, we optimized parameters for xenotransplanting WM-266-4, a metastatic melanoma cell line, including zebrafish site and stage for transplantation, number of cells, injection method, and zebrafish incubation temperature. Melanoma cells proliferated, migrated and formed masses in vivo. We transplanted two additional cancer cell lines, SW620, a colorectal cancer cell line, and FG CAS/Crk, a pancreatic cancer cell line and these human cancers also formed masses in zebrafish.

Insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish rapidly identifies genes essential for early vertebrate development.

To rapidly identify genes required for early vertebrate development, we are carrying out a large-scale, insertional mutagenesis screen in zebrafish, using mouse retroviral vectors as the mutagen. We will obtain mutations in 450 to 500 different genes--roughly 20% of the genes that can be mutated to produce a visible embryonic phenotype in this species--and will clone the majority of the mutated alleles. So far, we have isolated more than 500 insertional mutants.

A large-scale insertional mutagenesis screen in zebrafish.

It is estimated that approximately 2500 genes are essential for the normal development of a zebrafish embryo. A mutation in any one of these genes can result in a visible developmental defect, usually followed by the death of the embryo or larva by days 5-7 of age. We are performing a large-scale insertional mutagenesis screen in the zebrafish with the goal of isolating approximately 1000 embryonic mutations.

Zebrafish Genomic Library in Yeast Artificial Chromosomes.

We have constructed a zebrafish yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library using genomic DNA isolated from the inbred AB zebrafish strain. The average insert size is 470 kb, estimated from analysis of 155 random selected YACs. The library consists of 17,000 clones, providing about a 4.

Zebrafish genomic library in yeast artificial chromosomes.

We have constructed a zebrafish yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library using genomic DNA isolated from the inbred AB zebrafish strain. The average insert size is 470 kb, estimated from analysis of 155 random selected YACs. The library consists of 17,000 clones, providing about a 4.