The function of the Egr1 transcription factor in cartilage formation and adaptation to microgravity in zebrafish,Danio rerio

Abstract

Osteoporosis is one of the major concerns for an ageing human population and for passengers on long-term space flights. Teleosts represent a potentially interesting alternative for studying bone physiology. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), the cartilaginous elements that form the pharyngeal arches derive from cranial neural crest cells, whose proper patterning and morphogenesis require reciprocal interactions with other tissue types such as pharyngeal endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm. We show how the zebrafish can be used to study the function of signal transduction pathways, such as the Fgf pathway, or that of particular genes, such as the zinc finger transcription factor Egr1, in pharyngeal skeleton formation and maintenance. We investigate the changes caused by microgravity and chemical treatments on zebrafish. We analyze early gene expression modification using whole genome microarray experiments and the long-term consequences by staining bone structures.

Space omics research in Europe: Contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes

“…While a variety of experimental models have been used in the context of hyper/microgravity, fish are one of the rarer organisms. Of the identified studies, zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) have been the species of choice with both experiments conducted by the same European group based in Belgium ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ). This group has used D. rerio as a model organism to investigate bone formation and homeostasis, taking advantage of its small size, rapid development, easy maintenance, and sequenced genome ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ).…”

“…Of the identified studies, zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) have been the species of choice with both experiments conducted by the same European group based in Belgium ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ). This group has used D. rerio as a model organism to investigate bone formation and homeostasis, taking advantage of its small size, rapid development, easy maintenance, and sequenced genome ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ). Furthermore, the high degree of gene homology with humans suggests that D. rerio may be a suitable model organism to investigate other (patho)physiological phenomena in the context of hyper/microgravity in vertebrates ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ).…”

“…This group has used D. rerio as a model organism to investigate bone formation and homeostasis, taking advantage of its small size, rapid development, easy maintenance, and sequenced genome ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ). Furthermore, the high degree of gene homology with humans suggests that D. rerio may be a suitable model organism to investigate other (patho)physiological phenomena in the context of hyper/microgravity in vertebrates ( Aceto et al., 2015 ; Muller et al., 2010 ). The findings from these studies have collectively demonstrated that simulated hyper/microgravity can be successfully applied to D. rerio and such stimuli elicits gene level changes ( Tables S5 , S6 and S8 ).…”