Abstract
Distinct groups of dopaminergic neurons develop at defined anatomical sites in the brain to modulate function of a large diversity of local and far-ranging circuits. However, the molecular identity as judged from transcription factor expression has not been determined for all dopaminergic groups. Here, we analyze regional expression of transcription factors in the larval zebrafish brain to determine co-expression with the Tyrosine hydroxylase marker in dopaminergic neurons. We define sets of transcription factors that clearly identify each dopaminergic group. These data confirm postulated relations to dopaminergic groups defined for mammalian systems. We focus our functional analysis on prethalamic dopaminergic neurons, which co-express the transcription factors Arx and Isl1. Morpholino-based knockdown reveals that both Arx and Isl1 are strictly required for prethalamic dopaminergic neuron development and appear to act in parallel. We further show that Arx contributes to patterning in the prethalamic region, while Isl1 is required for differentiation of prethalamic dopaminergic neurons.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Patterning / drug effects
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Body Patterning / genetics
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Catecholamines / metabolism
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Dopaminergic Neurons / cytology
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Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
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Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
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Gene Knockdown Techniques
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Hypothalamus / cytology
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Hypothalamus / metabolism
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LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
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Morpholinos / pharmacology
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Preoptic Area / cytology
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Preoptic Area / metabolism
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Rhombencephalon / cytology
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Rhombencephalon / drug effects
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Rhombencephalon / metabolism
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Telencephalon / cytology
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Telencephalon / metabolism
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Thalamus / cytology
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Thalamus / drug effects
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Thalamus / embryology*
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Transcription, Genetic* / drug effects
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Zebrafish / embryology*
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Zebrafish / genetics*
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Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
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Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
Substances
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Catecholamines
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LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
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Morpholinos
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Transcription Factors
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Zebrafish Proteins
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arxa protein, zebrafish
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insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1
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orthopedia protein, zebrafish