Nusap1 is essential for neural crest cell migration in zebrafish

• DOI: 10.1007/s13238-010-0036-8
• Publication Date: 2010-04-15T23:25:01Z
• Authors: Jing Nie; Hua Wang; Fuchu He; Huizhe Huang
• Keywords: Morpholino; Hindbrain; Notochord

Microtubules play important roles in mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation to maintain normal cell cycle progression. A number of microtubule-associated proteins have been identified epithelial neural cultures; however, their physiological significance is not well characterized due the lack appropriate vivo animal models. Nucleolar spindle-associated protein (NuSAP) a microtubule-binding reported be involved mitosis by culture studies. In this report, we zebrafish homologue human NuSAP investigated its expression profile functions. Using situ hybridization, demonstrated that transcripts nusap1 are specifically expressed retina, forebrain, hindbrain crest. When was knocked down through antisense oligonucleotide morpholino technology, morphants showed impaired morphogenesis trunk yolk extension, implying involvement Nusap1 migration. Mechanistic studies revealed an altered pattern crest markers crestin sox9b, but blood vessel notochord gata1 shh. addition, mRNA injection caused serious apoptosis retina tissue, these phenotypes can rescued co-injection against nusap1. These observations only suggest role for connecting with migration, also provide strong evidences potentially vertebrates.