title: Embryonic expression and DNA-binding properties of zebrafish pax-6.
abstract: Zebrafish pax-6 (pax[zf-a]) and its murine homologue are structurally and functionally related to the Drosophila paired box gene eyeless, a master control gene for eye development. This report details the zebrafish pax-6 embryonic expression pattern both at the mRNA and protein level. Transcripts are first detected in the presumptive forebrain and hindbrain regions of the neural plate. After formation of the neural keel, Pax-6 protein accumulates within the same two domains. Expression is also observed in the optic vesicles and lens placodes, confirming that the Pax-6 protein is expressed in those areas of the eye where it is assumed to control differentiation. The relative DNA-binding affinity of the zebrafish Pax-6 protein to different categories of Pax recognition sites is shared with the murine homologue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amirthalingam
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lorens
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Saetre
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salaneck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fjose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA