Examining dlx5a/6a Expression in gsx1/2 Zebrafish Mutants

Abreanne Andlinger*, Rebecca Coltogirone, Sadie Bergeron, Ph.D.
Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Science & Techonology (Oral Presentation)

Student’s Major: Biology

Neurological disorders such as autism and schizophrenia are in part the result of mutations in the genes that control neurodevelopment. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if Gsx1/2 transcription factors regulate the expression of the genes dlx5a/6a. Zebrafish were used as the model organism for this experiment. Zebrafish heterozygous for the gsx1/2 TALEN mutation were crossed to get a pool of sibling embryos of various genotypes, including mutants, wild types, and heterozygotes. These embryos were fixed at 30 hours post fertilization. The embryos were then stained through in situ hybridization to visually compare the expression of dlx5a/6a in the brains of the wild type and mutant embryos. It is expected that the gsx1/2 mutants will have decreased expression of dlx5a compared to the wild types because these embryos have a mutation in their gene sequence of gsx1/2 that likely causes these transcription factors not to be able to bind to their specific binding sites on other genes. Gsx1 does not have any known binding sites for the gene dlx6a, so it is expected there will be no change in expression between the wild types and gsx1 mutants. This research is still ongoing, but preliminary research shows Gsx1/2 regulates expression of dlx5a. By exploring the connections between transcription factors and genes in zebrafish, this research could be a model for the way these genes contribute to neural development in humans.

Funding: The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation