Emilin genes are duplicated and dynamically expressed during zebrafish embryonic development.
Emilins are a family of extracellular matrix proteins with common structural organization and containing a characteristic N-terminal cysteine-rich domain. The prototype of this family, Emilin-1, is found in human and murine organs in association with elastic fibers, and other emilins were recently isolated in mammals. To gain insight into these proteins in lower vertebrates, we investigated the expression of emilins in the fish Danio rerio. Using sequence similarity tools, we identified eight members of this family in zebrafish. Each emilin gene has two paralogs in zebrafish, showing conserved structure with the human ortholog. In situ hybridization revealed that expression of zebrafish emilin genes is regulated in a spatiotemporal manner during embryonic development, with overlapping and site-specific patterns mostly including mesenchymal structures. Expression of certain emilin genes in peculiar areas, such as the central nervous system or the posterior notochord, suggests that they may play a role in key morphogenetic processes.
Milanetto
Martina
M
Department of Histology, Microbiology, and Medical Biotechnologies; University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Tiso
Natascia
N
Braghetta
Paola
P
Volpin
Dino
D
Argenton
Francesco
F
Bonaldo
Paolo
P
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C030340:elastin microfibril interface located protein