title: Visualization and exploration of Tcf/Lef function using a highly responsive Wnt/β-catenin signaling-reporter transgenic zebrafish.
abstract: Evolutionarily conserved Tcf/Lef transcription factors (Lef1, Tcf7, Tcf7l1, and Tcf7l2) mediate gene expression regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which has multiple roles in early embryogenesis, organogenesis, adult tissue homeostasis, and tissue regeneration. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of Tcf/Lef activity during these events remain poorly understood. We generated stable transgenic zebrafish lines carrying a new Wnt/β-catenin signaling reporter, Tcf/Lef-miniP:dGFP. The reporter revealed the transcriptional activities of four Tcf/Lef members controlled by Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which were expressed in known Wnt/β-catenin signaling-active sites during embryogenesis, organ development and growth, and tissue regeneration. We used the transgenic lines to demonstrate the contribution of Tcf/Lef-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling to the development of the anterior lateral line, dorsal and secondary posterior lateral lines, and gill filaments. Thus, these reporter lines are highly useful tools for studying Tcf/Lef-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent processes.
authors: Division of Cell Regulation Systems, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors: Nobuyuki
authors: N
authors: Shimizu
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Kawakami
authors: Tohru
authors: T
authors: Ishitani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000196:embryology*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000235:genetics; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D053403:Lateral Line System / Q000196:embryology*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D051820:TCF Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins