title: G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 is involved in brain development during zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryogenesis.
abstract: G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper, formerly known as GPR30) is found to be a trophic and protective factor in mediating action of estrogen in adult brain, while its role in developing brain remains to be elucidated. Here we present the expression pattern of Gper and its functions during embryogenesis in zebrafish. Both the mRNA and protein of Gper were detected throughout embryogenesis. Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) revealed a wide distribution of gper mRNAs in various regions of the developing brain. Gper knockdown by specific morpholinos resulted in growth retardation in embryos and morphological defects in the developing brain. In addition, induced apoptosis, decreased proliferation of the brain cells and maldevelopment of sensory and motor neurons were also found in the morphants. Our results provide novel insights into Gper functions in the developing brain, revealing that Gper can maintain the survival of the brain cells, and formation and/or differentiation of the sensory and motor neurons.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jianzhen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kathy W Y
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Sham
authors.forename: Shuk Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Shuisheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Christopher H K
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Haoran
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C549840:gper1 protein, zebrafish