Hedgehog signaling is directly required for the development of zebrafish dorsal root ganglia neurons

Development. 2003 Nov;130(22):5351-62. doi: 10.1242/dev.00722. Epub 2003 Sep 16.

Abstract

Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction is directly required in zebrafish DRG precursors for proper development of DRG neurons. Zebrafish mutations in the Hh signaling pathway result in the absence of DRG neurons and the loss of expression of neurogenin1 (ngn1), a gene required for determination of DRG precursors. Cell transplantation experiments demonstrate that Hh acts directly on DRG neuron precursors. Blocking Hh pathway activation at later stages of embryogenesis with the steroidal alkaloid, cyclopamine, further reveals that the requirement for a Hh signal response in DRG precursors correlates with the onset of ngn1 expression. These results suggest that Hh signaling may normally promote DRG development by regulating expression of ngn1 in DRG precursors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Ganglia, Spinal / embryology*
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Neural Crest / embryology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Teratogens / pharmacology
  • Trans-Activators / drug effects
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Veratrum Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Teratogens
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Veratrum Alkaloids
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • neurog1 protein, zebrafish
  • Neurogenic differentiation factor 1
  • cyclopamine