Helmholtz Gemeinschaft

Search
Browse
Statistics
Feeds

Zebrafish enhancer detection (ZED) vector: a new tool to facilitate transgenesis and the functional analysis of cis-regulatory regions in zebrafish

Item Type:Article
Title:Zebrafish enhancer detection (ZED) vector: a new tool to facilitate transgenesis and the functional analysis of cis-regulatory regions in zebrafish
Creators Name:Bessa, J. and Tena, J.J. and de la Calle-Mustienes, E. and Fernandez-Minan, A. and Naranjo, S. and Fernandez, A. and Montoliu, L. and Akalin, A. and Lenhard, B. and Casares, F. and Gomez-Skarmeta, J.L.
Abstract:The identification and characterization of the regulatory activity of genomic sequences is crucial for understanding how the information contained in genomes is translated into cellular function. The cis-regulatory sequences control when, where, and how much genes are transcribed and can activate (enhancers) or repress (silencers) gene expression. Here, we describe a novel Tol2 transposon-based vector for assessing enhancer activity in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). This Zebrafish Enhancer Detector (ZED) vector harbors several key improvements, among them a sensitive and specific minimal promoter chosen for optimal enhancer activity detection, insulator sequences to shield the minimal promoter from position effects, and a positive control for transgenesis. Additionally, we demonstrate that highly conserved noncoding sequences homologous between humans and zebrafish largely with enhancer activity largely retain their tissue-specific enhancer activity during vertebrate evolution. More strikingly, insulator sequences from mouse and chicken, but not conserved in zebrafish, maintain their insulator capacity when tested in this model.
Keywords:Enhancer Detection, Gene Regulation, Insulators, Transgenesis, Animals, Mice, Zebrafish
Source:Developmental Dynamics
ISSN:1058-8388
Publisher:Wiley-Liss
Volume:238
Number:9
Page Range:2409-2417
Date:September 2009
Official Publication:https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.22051
PubMed:View item in PubMed

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Open Access
MDC Library