Genes regulated by potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 (Kctd15) in the developing neural crest.

Neural crest (NC) development is controlled precisely by a regulatory network with multiple signaling pathways and the involvement of many genes. The integration and coordination of these factors are still incompletely understood. Overexpression of Wnt3a and the BMP antagonist Chordin in animal cap cells from Xenopus blastulae induces a large number of NC specific genes.

Cell adhesion in zebrafish embryos is modulated by March 8.

March 8 is a member of a family of transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases that have been studied mostly for their role in the immune system. We find that March 8 is expressed in the zebrafish egg and early embryo, suggesting a role in development. Both knock-down and overexpression of March 8 leads to abnormal development.

Habenular commissure formation in zebrafish is regulated by the pineal gland-specific gene unc119c.

Background: The zebrafish pineal gland (epiphysis) is a site of melatonin production, contains photoreceptor cells, and functions as a circadian clock pacemaker. Since it is located on the surface of the forebrain, it is accessible for manipulation and, therefore, is a useful model system to analyze pineal gland function and development. We previously analyzed the pineal transcriptome during development and showed that many genes exhibit a highly dynamic expression pattern in the pineal gland.

Coordinated activation of the secretory pathway during notochord formation in the Xenopus embryo.

We compared the transcriptome in the developing notochord of Xenopus laevis embryos with that of other embryonic regions. A coordinated and intense activation of a large set of secretory pathway genes was observed in the notochord, but not in notochord precursors in the axial mesoderm at early gastrula stage. The genes encoding Xbp1 and Creb3l2 were also activated in the notochord.

Brd4 associates with mitotic chromosomes throughout early zebrafish embryogenesis.

Brd4 is a member of the BET (bromodomains and extraterminal) subfamily of bromodomain proteins that includes chromatin-modifying proteins and transcriptional regulators. Brd4 has a role in cell cycle progression, making it indispensable in mouse embryos and cultured cells. The N-terminal domain of Brd4 participates in a fusion oncogene.