Znfl1s are essential for patterning the anterior-posterior axis of zebrafish posterior hindbrain by acting as direct target genes of retinoic acid.

RA (retinoic acid) signaling is essential for the patterning the hindbrain of vertebrates. Although hundreds of potential RA targets genes are identified, the ones other than hox genes playing roles in patterning anterior-posterior axis of hindbrain by mediating RA signaling remains largely unknown. Previously, we reported that znfl1s play essential roles in the formation of posterior neuroectoderm in zebrafish embryos. Here, we revealed that znfl1s play a critical role in patterning the posterior axis of hindbrain by maintaining the homeostasis of RA signaling in zebrafish embryos. Knocking down znfl1s shortened the length of the posterior hindbrain in a similar way of reducing RA signaling in zebrafish embryos and the defective posterior hindbrain was effectively rescued by elevating RA signaling. By performing mutagenesis assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays on the promoter of znfl1s, we demonstrated that znfl1s are direct target genes of RA to mediate RA signaling through a functional DR1 RA response element. Taken together, our results showed that Znfl1s are essential for patterning the anterior-posterior axis development of posterior hindbrain by acting as direct target genes of RA signaling.