Abstract
Angiogcnesis is a fundamental vertebrate developmental process that requires signalling by the secreted protein vascular cndothclial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). VEGF-A functions in the development of embryonic structures, during tissue remodelling and for the growth of tumour-induced vasculature. The study of the role of VEGF-A during normal development has been significantly complicated by the dominant, haplo-insufficient nature of VEGF-A-targeted mutations in mice. We have used morpholino-based targeted gene knock-down technology to generate a zebrafish VEGF-A morphant loss of function model. Zebrafish VEGF-A morphant embryos develop with an enlarged pericardium and with major blood vessel deficiencies. Morphological assessment at 2 days of development indicates a nearly complete absence of both axial and interscgmcntal vasculature, with no or reduced numbers of circulating red blood cells. Molecular analysis using the endothelial markers fli-1 and flk-1 at 1 day of development demonstrates a fundamental distinction between VEGF-A requirements for axial and intersegmental vascular structure specification. VEGF-A is not required for the initial establishment of axial vasculature patterning, whereas all development of intersegmental vasculature is dependent on VEGF-A signalling. The zebrafish thus serves as a quality model for the study of conserved vertebrate angiogenesis processes during embryonic development.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 294-301 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Yeast |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- Fli-1
- Flk-1
- Morphant
- Morpholino
- VEGF-A
- Vasculature
- Zebrafish
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Bioengineering
- Biochemistry
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Genetics