Temporal and spatial patterns of opsin gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
In zebrafish, the first class of cone photoreceptor to become morphologically distinct is the ultraviolet-sensitive short single cone, at 4 days postfertilization, whereas the last class, the red- and green-sensitive double cone, becomes distinct at 10 days postfertilization. We have examined the time course of visual pigment gene expression in zebrafish using whole-mount in situ hybridization. Within the retina, opsins may be detected as early as 40 h postfertilization with the ultraviolet and rod visual pigments being expressed before the blue- (48 h) and red- (60 h) sensitive pigments. In the pineal, red-sensitive opsin is expressed at 48 h postfertilization. Visual pigment expression provides a useful tool for investigations of early cell fate in zebrafish.
Robinson
J
J
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Schmitt
E A
EA
Dowling
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology; D012160:Retina / Q000254:growth & development; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*
D017299:Rod Opsins