A novel HoxB cluster protein expressed in the hindbrain and pharyngeal arches

Genesis. 2014 Oct;52(10):858-63. doi: 10.1002/dvg.22806. Epub 2014 Aug 23.

Abstract

We describe a novel zebrafish line that fluorescently tags a previously unknown protein, CT74a, allowing us to follow its endogenous expression in real time and at subcellular resolution in live embryos. Our results showed that CT74a-Citrine fusion protein is expressed in the developing pharyngeal arches, hindbrain, and fin buds in a pattern highly reminiscent of transcription factors belonging to anterior Hox gene families, including expression in a subset of neuronal nuclei. Consistent with this, splinkerette-PCR revealed that CT74a-Citrine's genomic integration is within the HoxB region, and 3' RACE demonstrated that its downstream coding sequence has no recognizable homology. Thus, CT74a is a previously unknown protein located within the HoxB cluster adjacent to Hoxb4a and is expressed in a Hoxb4a-like pattern.

Keywords: HoxB cluster; Hoxb4a; fluorescent fusion protein; zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / embryology
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Branchial Region / embryology
  • Branchial Region / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / genetics
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Rhombencephalon / embryology
  • Rhombencephalon / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • citrine protein, bacteria
  • unm_ct74a protein, zebrafish