Duplicate zebrafish pth genes are expressed along the lateral line and in the central nervous system during embryogenesis

Endocrinology. 2005 Feb;146(2):547-51. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-0296. Epub 2004 Nov 11.

Abstract

PTH plays a critical role in calcium metabolism in tetrapods. The primary site of PTH expression is the parathyroid glands, although it is also detected in the thymus and hypothalamus. Fish lack anatomically distinct parathyroid glands, and the first animals to evolve parathyroid glands were the amphibians. However, fish do have PTH family ligands and receptors, which are functionally similar to their mammalian counterparts. We report the expression patterns of duplicate zebrafish pth genes during embryogenesis. Both zebrafish pth1 and pth2 transcripts are expressed along the lateral line before the migration of the lateral line primordium and later in development Pth protein is detected in lateral line neuromasts by immunohistochemistry. pth1 transcripts are also detected in the central nervous system in the ventral neural tube. These temporally and anatomically restricted expression patterns imply a novel role for PTH family hormones during embryonic development of the zebrafish and allow for the genetic dissection of PTH function in this model organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Afferent Pathways / embryology
  • Afferent Pathways / physiology*
  • Animal Structures / embryology
  • Animal Structures / physiology
  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / embryology
  • Central Nervous System / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Male
  • Mechanoreceptors / physiology
  • Parathyroid Glands
  • Parathyroid Hormone / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / physiology*

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone