On the diabetic menu: zebrafish as a model for pancreas development and function.

Bioessays

Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Published: February 2009

Development of the vertebrate pancreas is a complex stepwise process comprising regionalization, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis. Studies in zebrafish are contributing to an emerging picture of pancreas development in which extrinsic signaling molecules influence intrinsic transcriptional programs to allow ultimate differentiation of specific pancreatic cell types. Zebrafish experiments have revealed roles for several signaling molecules in aspects of this process; for example our own work has shown that retinoic acid signals specify the pre-pancreatic endoderm. Time-lapse imaging of live zebrafish embryos has started to provide detailed information about early pancreas morphogenesis. In addition to modeling embryonic development, the zebrafish has recently been used as a model for pancreas regeneration studies. Here, we review the significant progress in these areas and consider the future potential of zebrafish as a diabetes research model.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2770330PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bies.200800123DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

zebrafish model
8
model pancreas
8
pancreas development
8
signaling molecules
8
zebrafish
6
pancreas
5
diabetic menu
4
menu zebrafish
4
development
4
development function
4

Similar Publications

The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes haemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, and permanent blindness and has been listed by the WHO as a priority pathogen. To study RVFV pathogenesis and identify small-molecule antivirals, we established a novel In Vivo model using zebrafish larvae. Pericardial injection of RVFV resulted in ~4 log viral RNA copies/larva, which was inhibited by the antiviral 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Amphotericin B Encapsulation in Polymeric Nanoparticles: Toxicity Insights via Cells and Zebrafish Embryo Testing.

Pharmaceutics

January 2025

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Pesquisa Translacional em Fármacos e Medicamentos (PPG-PTFM), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a commonly utilized antifungal agent, which is also recommended for the treatment of certain neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, its clinical application is constrained because of its poor oral bioavailability and adverse effects, prompting the investigation of alternative drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have gained attention as a potential drug delivery vehicle, providing advantages such as sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, and could have potential as AmB carriers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Rhamnetin 3--α-rhamnoside (ARR) is a major flavonoid of the herb Franch. & Sav., which has been used for treating liver diseases in China.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is a parasite known for its diverse genotypic variants, or Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), which have been associated with varying degrees of tissue involvement. However, aspects such as parasite attachment remain unclear. It has been suggested that the TcI genotype is associated with cardiac infection, the most common involved site in chronic human infection, while TcII is associated with digestive tract involvement.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The scorpion Karsch is edible and has been an essential resource in traditional Chinese medicine for treating numerous diseases. In this study, two small peptides from hydrolysates were examined to elucidate their potential against gastric cancer. The small peptides (AK and GK) were identified using the LC-QTOF-MS-based approach.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!