The development of zebrafish pancreas affected by deficiency of Hedgehog signaling

Gene Expr Patterns. 2021 Sep:41:119185. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2021.119185. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Abstract

The pancreas development depends on complex regulation of several signaling pathways, including the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling via a receptor complex component, Smoothened, which deficiency blocks the Hh signaling. Such a defect in birds and mammals results in an annular pancreas. We showed that in developing zebrafish, the mutation of Smoothened or inhibition of Hh signaling by its antagonist cyclopamine caused developmental defects of internal organs, liver, pancreas, and gut. In particular, the pancreatic primordium was duplicated. The two exocrine pancreatic primordia surround the gut. This phenomenon correlates with a significant reduction of the gut's diameter, causing the annular pancreas phenotype.

Keywords: Annular pancreas; Elastase; Green fluorescent protein (GFP); Pancreas; Transgenic; Zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hedgehog Proteins* / genetics
  • Pancreas
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Smoothened Receptor / genetics
  • Smoothened Receptor / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish* / genetics

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • smo protein, zebrafish