Transgenic zebrafish that carry inducible zic2a fusion proteins

Abstract

Zic genes encode proteins that contain zinc fingers used to bind DNA and modify transcription of target genes. Several zic genes have been identified that are critical in regulating nervous system development in a wide variety of organisms. We have chosen to study zic2a because its transcription activity has not been well defined. The goal of this study was to begin determining the regulatory nature of zic2a in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) central nervous system. To do this, three constructs were assembled that, when induced, over expressed constitutively activating, constitutively repressing, or wild type zic2a function. These constructs were further modified and then used to develop three stable transgenic zebrafish lines, which allow conditional over-expression of zic2a in zebrafish embryos. These transgenic, zic2a-expressing zebrafish will be used in further studies to characterize the function of zic2a in the developing nervous system.