MicroRNA expression in zebrafish embryonic development

Science. 2005 Jul 8;309(5732):310-1. doi: 10.1126/science.1114519. Epub 2005 May 26.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, about 21 nucleotides in length, that can regulate gene expression by base-pairing to partially complementary mRNAs. Regulation by miRNAs can play essential roles in embryonic development. We determined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of 115 conserved vertebrate miRNAs in zebrafish embryos by microarrays and by in situ hybridizations, using locked-nucleic acid-modified oligonucleotide probes. Most miRNAs were expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner during segmentation and later stages, but not early in development, which suggests that their role is not in tissue fate establishment but in differentiation or maintenance of tissue identity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Development
  • Gene Expression*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Multigene Family
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Organ Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Oligonucleotide Probes