Identification of recessive maternal‐effect mutations in the zebrafish using a gynogenesis‐based method

In animal species, early developmental processes are driven by maternally derived factors. Here, we describe a forward genetics approach to identify recessive mutations in genes encoding such maternal factors in the zebrafish. We used a gynogenesis‐based approach to identify 14 recessive maternal‐ef...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental dynamics 2004-10, Vol.231 (2), p.324-335
Main Authors: Pelegri, Francisco, Dekens, Marcus P.S., Schulte‐Merker, Stefan, Maischein, Hans‐Martin, Weiler, Catrin, Nüsslein‐Volhard, Christiane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Patterning
cellularization
cytokinesis
Danio rerio
dorsal induction
early development
early pressure
egg activation
Embryo, Nonmammalian - anatomy & histology
Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects
Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology
Female
gastrulation
Genes, Recessive
gynogenesis
Male
maternal‐effect
mitosis
Morphogenesis
Mutagens - pharmacology
Mutation
nuclear fusion
Phenotype
zebrafish
Zebrafish - embryology
Zebrafish - genetics
Zebrafish - physiology
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Summary:In animal species, early developmental processes are driven by maternally derived factors. Here, we describe a forward genetics approach to identify recessive mutations in genes encoding such maternal factors in the zebrafish. We used a gynogenesis‐based approach to identify 14 recessive maternal‐effect mutations. Homozygosity for these mutations in adult females leads to the inviability of their offspring. Confocal microscopy of embryos labeled with a DNA dye and a membrane marker allowed us to further analyze mutant embryos for defects in nuclear and cellular divisions. The mutations result in a range of defects in early developmental processes, including egg activation, early nuclear events, mitosis, cytokinesis, axial patterning, and gastrulation. Our effort constitutes a systematic attempt to identify maternal‐effect genes in a vertebrate species. The sample of mutations that we have identified reflects the diversity of maternally driven functions in early development and underscores the importance of maternal factors in this process. Developmental Dynamics 231:324–335, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:1058-8388
1097-0177
DOI:10.1002/dvdy.20145