The effects of GTPase related gene ect2 and wasf1 on vascular development in zebrafish

• Main Authors: Yan-Hui Chiu, 丘硯蕙
• Other Authors: Chang-Yi Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/zrj9w5

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 生物科學系研究所 === 107 === Vascular development is an important process in vertebrate embryonic development, which is known to be regulated by complex signaling pathways. In the process of vascular formation are mainly divided into vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. GTPase related genes has been shown the importance in angiogenesis, cell migration, and proliferation etc. In the previous study, we have found some GTPase related genes which would express in developing vessels. Using zebrafish, a powerful vertebrate model organism to study vascular development, we have identified the transcription factors nr2f1b/islet2 is required for blood vessel formation. We mainly focused on the patterning of intersegmental vessels (ISV) and caudal vein plexus (CVP). Using mRNA analyzes, we have confirmed that ect2/wasf1 is regulated by nr2f1b / islet2. Hence, we are interested in how those GTPase related genes contribute to vascular patterning in zebrafish. In this study, we investigated the significance of two novel GTPase related genes, wasf1 and ect2, in vascular development. In-situ hybridization showed that both ect2 and wasf1 mRNA expressed in developing vessels. Knockdown of ect2 and wasf1 by morpholino microinjection caused defect in blood vessel formation. Our previous study suggested that vascular defects were not caused by cell death, but more likely resulted from the impairment of cell proliferation and migration. Consistent with our finding, loss of ect2 or wasf1 reduced the expression of the vascular markers.