Transcriptional inhibition of etv2 expression is essential for embryonic cardiac development.

E-twenty six variant 2 (Etv2) transcription factor participates in cardiac, vascular-endothelial and blood cell lineage specification decisions during embryonic development. Previous studies have identified genomic elements in the etv2 locus responsible for vascular endothelial cell specification. Using transgenic analysis in zebrafish, we report here an etv2 proximal promoter fragment that prevents transgene misexpression in myocardial progenitor cells.

Mmp17b is essential for proper neural crest cell migration in vivo.

The extracellular matrix plays a critical role in neural crest (NC) cell migration. In this study, we characterize the contribution of the novel GPI-linked matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) zebrafish mmp17b. Mmp17b is expressed post-gastrulation in the developing NC.

Fli+ etsrp+ hemato-vascular progenitor cells proliferate at the lateral plate mesoderm during vasculogenesis in zebrafish.

Background: Vasculogenesis, the de novo formation of blood vessels from precursor cells is critical for a developing embryo. However, the signals and events that dictate the formation of primary axial vessels remain poorly understood.

Methodology/principal Findings: In this study, we use ets-related protein-1 (etsrp), which is essential for vascular development, to analyze the early stages of vasculogenesis in zebrafish.

Characterization of the astacin family of metalloproteases in C. elegans.

Background: Astacins are a large family of zinc metalloproteases found in bacteria and animals. They have diverse roles ranging from digestion of food to processing of extracellular matrix components. The C.