Functional analysis of hox genes in zebrafish

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1196:133-44. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1242-1_9.

Abstract

The zebrafish model organism is well suited to study the role of specific genes, such as hox genes, in embryogenesis and organ function. The ability to modulate the activity of hox genes in living zebrafish embryos represents a cornerstone of such functional analyses. In this chapter we outline the basic methodology for nucleic acid injections into 1-2-cell-stage zebrafish embryos. We also report variations in this method to allow injection of mRNA, DNA, and antisense oligonucleotides to either overexpress, knock down, or knock out specific genes in zebrafish embryos.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Transgenes
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins