Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.

The visual system converts the distribution and wavelengths of photons entering the eye into patterns of neuronal activity, which then drive motor and endocrine behavioral responses. The gene products important for visual processing by a living and behaving vertebrate animal have not been identified...

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Main Authors: Akira Muto, Michael B Orger, Ann M Wehman, Matthew C Smear, Jeremy N Kay, Patrick S Page-McCaw, Ethan Gahtan, Tong Xiao, Linda M Nevin, Nathan J Gosse, Wendy Staub, Karin Finger-Baier, Herwig Baier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2005-11-01
Series:PLoS Genetics
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC1287954?pdf=render
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spelling doaj-b1ce075af6c541f6a72f213770d1ce842020-11-25T01:57:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Genetics1553-73901553-74042005-11-0115e6610.1371/journal.pgen.0010066Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.Akira MutoMichael B OrgerAnn M WehmanMatthew C SmearJeremy N KayPatrick S Page-McCawEthan GahtanTong XiaoLinda M NevinNathan J GosseWendy StaubKarin Finger-BaierHerwig BaierThe visual system converts the distribution and wavelengths of photons entering the eye into patterns of neuronal activity, which then drive motor and endocrine behavioral responses. The gene products important for visual processing by a living and behaving vertebrate animal have not been identified in an unbiased fashion. Likewise, the genes that affect development of the nervous system to shape visual function later in life are largely unknown. Here we have set out to close this gap in our understanding by using a forward genetic approach in zebrafish. Moving stimuli evoke two innate reflexes in zebrafish larvae, the optomotor and the optokinetic response, providing two rapid and quantitative tests to assess visual function in wild-type (WT) and mutant animals. These behavioral assays were used in a high-throughput screen, encompassing over half a million fish. In almost 2,000 F2 families mutagenized with ethylnitrosourea, we discovered 53 recessive mutations in 41 genes. These new mutations have generated a broad spectrum of phenotypes, which vary in specificity and severity, but can be placed into only a handful of classes. Developmental phenotypes include complete absence or abnormal morphogenesis of photoreceptors, and deficits in ganglion cell differentiation or axon targeting. Other mutations evidently leave neuronal circuits intact, but disrupt phototransduction, light adaptation, or behavior-specific responses. Almost all of the mutants are morphologically indistinguishable from WT, and many survive to adulthood. Genetic linkage mapping and initial molecular analyses show that our approach was effective in identifying genes with functions specific to the visual system. This collection of zebrafish behavioral mutants provides a novel resource for the study of normal vision and its genetic disorders.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC1287954?pdf=render
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Akira Muto
Michael B Orger
Ann M Wehman
Matthew C Smear
Jeremy N Kay
Patrick S Page-McCaw
Ethan Gahtan
Tong Xiao
Linda M Nevin
Nathan J Gosse
Wendy Staub
Karin Finger-Baier
Herwig Baier
spellingShingle Akira Muto
Michael B Orger
Ann M Wehman
Matthew C Smear
Jeremy N Kay
Patrick S Page-McCaw
Ethan Gahtan
Tong Xiao
Linda M Nevin
Nathan J Gosse
Wendy Staub
Karin Finger-Baier
Herwig Baier
Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
PLoS Genetics
author_facet Akira Muto
Michael B Orger
Ann M Wehman
Matthew C Smear
Jeremy N Kay
Patrick S Page-McCaw
Ethan Gahtan
Tong Xiao
Linda M Nevin
Nathan J Gosse
Wendy Staub
Karin Finger-Baier
Herwig Baier
author_sort Akira Muto
title Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
title_short Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
title_full Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
title_fullStr Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
title_full_unstemmed Forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
title_sort forward genetic analysis of visual behavior in zebrafish.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS Genetics
issn 1553-7390
1553-7404
publishDate 2005-11-01
description The visual system converts the distribution and wavelengths of photons entering the eye into patterns of neuronal activity, which then drive motor and endocrine behavioral responses. The gene products important for visual processing by a living and behaving vertebrate animal have not been identified in an unbiased fashion. Likewise, the genes that affect development of the nervous system to shape visual function later in life are largely unknown. Here we have set out to close this gap in our understanding by using a forward genetic approach in zebrafish. Moving stimuli evoke two innate reflexes in zebrafish larvae, the optomotor and the optokinetic response, providing two rapid and quantitative tests to assess visual function in wild-type (WT) and mutant animals. These behavioral assays were used in a high-throughput screen, encompassing over half a million fish. In almost 2,000 F2 families mutagenized with ethylnitrosourea, we discovered 53 recessive mutations in 41 genes. These new mutations have generated a broad spectrum of phenotypes, which vary in specificity and severity, but can be placed into only a handful of classes. Developmental phenotypes include complete absence or abnormal morphogenesis of photoreceptors, and deficits in ganglion cell differentiation or axon targeting. Other mutations evidently leave neuronal circuits intact, but disrupt phototransduction, light adaptation, or behavior-specific responses. Almost all of the mutants are morphologically indistinguishable from WT, and many survive to adulthood. Genetic linkage mapping and initial molecular analyses show that our approach was effective in identifying genes with functions specific to the visual system. This collection of zebrafish behavioral mutants provides a novel resource for the study of normal vision and its genetic disorders.
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC1287954?pdf=render
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