Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-82). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Anatomy / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

by Henry, Kam Yin Cheung. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-160). / ZEBRAFISH (BRACHYDANIO RERIO) / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / LIST OF CONTENTS / ABSTRACT / ABBREVIATION / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Transgenic fish --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Zebrafish --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- The grass carp GH gene and protein / Chapter 1.3.1 --- The genomic sequence --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- The cDNA sequence --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- The grass carp GH protein --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Functional aspects of promoter regions / Chapter 1.4.1 --- PEPCK --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- RSV-LTR --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- hMT-IIA --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- MMTV-LTR --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5 --- Eukaryotic gene expression in cultured cells / Chapter 1.5.1 --- COS-7 and HepG2 cells --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Transfection system --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Fate of DNA after transfection --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6 --- Electroporation and microinjection as tools for gene transfer / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Electroporation: Theory and operation --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Microinjection: Design of microinjector --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Fate of DNA after gene transfer in embryos / Transient expression --- p.16 / Stable transformation --- p.17 / Inheredity of transgene --- p.17 / Chapter 1.7 --- The aims of the present study --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- General techniques / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Electrophoresis of DNA / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- PAGE --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Purification of DNA --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Recovery of DNA fragments / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Electroelution --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- Geneclean kit --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Standard recombinant DNA techniques / Chapter 2.1.4.1 --- Dephosphorylation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.4.2 --- Kinasing --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.4.3 --- Ligation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.4.4 --- Filling in reaction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.4.5 --- Transformation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Minipreparation of plasmids --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Large preparation of plasmids / Chapter 2.1.6.1 --- Qiagene kit --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.6.2 --- CsCl density gradient centrifugation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- DNA sequencing --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- "Extraction of DNA from embryos, fry and fish" / Method 1 --- p.32 / Method 2 --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Probe labelling / Chapter 2.1.9.1 --- End-labelling --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.9.2 --- Random priming --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- CAT assay --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.11 --- Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.12 --- Radioimmunassay(RIA) of FGH --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.13 --- Dot blotting --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.14 --- Southern blotting --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Linkers, primers and probes" / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Primers --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Linkers --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Probes --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3 --- Construction of chimeric growth hormone genes / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Sources of plasmids --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- General principles --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- PEPCKgcGHcDNA --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- RSVgcGHcDNA --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- hMTgcGHcDNAcDNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- MMTVgcGHcDNA --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- "PEPCKgcGH, RSVgcGH and hMTgcGH" --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4 --- Expression of chimeric genes in cultured cells / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Culturing of COS-7 and HepG2 cells --- p.66 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Expression of chimeric genes in COS-7 and HepG2 cells --- p.67 / Chapter 2.5 --- Zebrafish / Chapter 2.5.1 --- "Culturing, Spawning and hatching" --- p.67 / Chapter 2.6 --- Electroporation and microinjection for gene transfer / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Electroporation / Chapter 2.6.1.1 --- Tuning up electroporation --- p.69 / Chapter 2.6.1.2 --- Evidence of gene transfer by electroporation / Chapter 2.6.1.2.1 --- CAT assay --- p.71 / Chapter 2.6.1.2.2 --- Dot blot --- p.71 / Chapter 2.6.1.2.3 --- PCR and Southern blotting of PCR products --- p.72 / Chapter 2.6.1.2.4 --- Southern blotting of fish total DNA --- p.73 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Microinjection / Chapter 2.6.2.1 --- Handling of microinjection --- p.74 / Chapter 2.6.2.2 --- Evidence of gene transfer by microinjection / Chapter 2.6.2.2.1 --- CAT assay --- p.75 / Chapter 2.6.2.2.2 --- PCR and Southern blotting of PCR products --- p.75 / Chapter 2.7 --- Phenotypic alteration of fish generated from electroporated eggs / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Electroporation and handling of fish generated from electroporation --- p.75 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Measurement of phenotypic change in fish generated from electroporation --- p.77 / Chapter 2.8 --- Detection of transgene and expression of exogenous DNA / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Transgene detection --- p.78 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Expression of exogenous DNA --- p.79 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1 --- Construction of Chimeric growth hormone genes / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Confirmation of integrity of chimeric genes / PEPCKgcGHcDNA --- p.80 / RSVgcGHcDNA --- p.81 / hMTgcGHcDNA --- p.81 / MMTVgcGHcDNA --- p.81 / "PEPCKgcGH, RSVgcGH and hMTgcGH" --- p.82 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Yield of chimeric genes from CsCl density gradient centrifugation --- p.82 / Chapter 3.2 --- Chimeric gene expression in COS-7 and HepG2 cells / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Expression of chimeric genes in COS-7 cells --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Expression of chimeric genes in HepG2 cells --- p.93 / Chapter 3.3 --- Transfer of chimeric genes into embryos / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Electroporation / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Monitoring of electroporation --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Evidence for gene transfer / Chapter 3.3.1.2.1 --- CAT assay --- p.98 / Chapter 3.3.1.2.2 --- Dot blotting --- p.98 / Chapter 3.3.1.2.3 --- PCR and Southern blotting of PCR product --- p.101 / Chapter 3.3.1.2.4 --- Southern blotting of DNA from fish generated from electroporation --- p.106 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Microinjection / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- CAT assay --- p.109 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- PCR --- p.109 / Chapter 3.4 --- Phenotypic alterations of fish / The first experiment --- p.112 / The second experiment --- p.113 / The third experiment --- p.113 / The fourth experiment --- p.122 / Chapter 3.5 --- Detection of transgene and expression of exogenous DNA / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Transgene --- p.128 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Possible expression of exogenous DNA --- p.129 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 4.1 --- Chimeric growth hormone genes --- p.132 / Chapter 4.2 --- Expression of chimeric growth hormone genes in COS-7 and HepG2 cells --- p.134 / Chapter 4.3 --- Transfer of exogenous DNA into embyros --- p.136 / Chapter 4.4 --- Phenotypic alteration of fish developed from electroporated eggs --- p.139 / Chapter 4.5 --- The possible integration and expression of exogenous DNA --- p.143 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusions --- p.145 / Chapter 4.7 --- Suggestions for further studies --- p.146 / REFERENCES --- p.148 / Chapter APPENDIX I --- Restriction maps / PEPCKgcGH / PEPCKgcGHcDNA / RSVgcGH / RSVgcGHcDNA / hMTgcGH / hMTgcGHcDNA / MMTVgcGHcDNA / pBH1.2 / pMSG-CAT / pUC19 / hMT-IIA / PBC12BI / RSVCAT / pUC101 / pSEl/S2 / PUCSE2/S1 / pUCS2

Kwok Hin-Fai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-100). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgement --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.vii / List of figures --- p.xi / List of tables --- p.xiv / Symbols and abbreviations --- p.xv / List of fish names mentioned in the thesis --- p.xviii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Gonadotropins / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Structure --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Function --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 --- Gonadotropin receptor / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Structure --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Expression --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Signaling / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- cAMP-mediated pathway --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Phospholipase C-mediated pathway --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Regulation of expression --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Desensitization of receptors / Chapter 1.2.5.1 --- Uncoupling --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.5.2 --- Internalization --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3 --- Structure of ovarian follicles --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- The project objectives and long-term significance --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Cloning and Characterization of Zebrafish Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Receptors ´ؤ Evidence for Distinct Functions of FSH and LH in Follicle Development / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Animals and chemicals --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Isolation of total RNA --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cloning of zebrafish FSHR (zfFSHR) and LHR (zfLHR) cDNA fragments from the zebrafish ovary --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Rapid amplification of 5´ةcDNA ends (5'-RACE) and full-length cDNA --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Isolation of ovarian follicles --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Sampling of the ovaries from sexually immature zebrafish --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Construction of expression plasmids --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Transient transfection and reporter gene assay --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Establishment and characterization of stable zfFSHR or zfLHR-expressing cell lines --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cloning of FSHR and LHR cDNA from the zebrafish ovary --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Functional characterization of zfFSHR and zfLHR --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Expression of zfFSHR and zfLHR during sexual maturation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Stage-dependent expression of zfFSHR and zfLHR in the ovarian follicles --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Down-regulation of FSHR and LHR Expression in the Zebrafish Follicle Ceils by Gonadotropin (hCG) and Its Sigaling Mechanism / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Animals --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Chemicals and hormones --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Primary follicle cell culture --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Total RNA isolation --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- "Validation of semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays for FSHR, LHR and GAPDH" --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Data analysis --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Validation of semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Gonadotropin regulation of FSHR and LHR expression in cultured zebrafish ovarian follicle cells --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of db-cAMP and forskolin on FSHR and LHR expression --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Effects of H89 on hCG-induced suppression of FSHR and LHR expression --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.60 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General Discussion --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1 --- Cloning of zebrafish FSHR and LHR cDNAs and demonstration of receptor specificity --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2 --- Evidence for the differential expression of FSHR and LHR in the zebrafish ovarian and follicle development --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3 --- Down-regulation of FSHR and LHR expression in the zebrafish follicle cells by gonadotropin (hCG) --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4 --- Future research direction --- p.80 / References --- p.84

So Wai-Kin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-127). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.I / Abstract (in English) --- p.II / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.IV / Table of contents --- p.VI / List of Figures --- p.X / Symbols and Abbreviations --- p.XII / List of fish names mentioned in the thesis --- p.XIV / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Pituitary --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Gonadotropins --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Structure --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Signaling --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Expression --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Functions --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4.1 --- Gonadotropin actions on gametogenesis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4.2 --- Gonadotropin actions on steroidogenesis --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Regulation --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.5.1 --- Neuroendocrine control --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.5.1.1 --- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.5.1.2 --- Dopamine (DA) --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5.2 --- Gonadal steroid feedback --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5.2.1 --- Positive feedback --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.5.2.2 --- Negative feedback --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.5.3 --- Paracrine regulators within pituitary --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- "Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα subunits" / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Chemicals --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Animals --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Genomic DNA isolation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Total RNA isolation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Cloning of zebrafish FSHp，LHβ and GTHa fragments --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- LHβ and GTHα --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- FSHβ --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- "5'- and 3'-RACE of zebrafish FSHp, LHβ and GTHα subunits" --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Construction of expression constructs --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Cell culture and transfection of Flp-In´ёØ CHO cell --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Recombinant production of zebrafish FSH and LH --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Northern blot hybridization --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- SEAP reporter gene assay --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.13 --- Data analysis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- "Cloning of zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα subunits" --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- "Expression of zebrafish FSHp, LHβ and GTHα in the zebrafish pituitary" --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Recombinant production of zebrafish FSH and LH --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Functional analysis of zebrafish FSH and LH --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- "Spatial Expression Patterns of Zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα Subunits in the Pituitary and Their Temporal Expression Profiles during Sexual Maturation and Ovulatory Cycle" / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Chemicals --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Animals --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Total RNA isolation from zebrafish pituitaries and reverse transcription --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Validation of RT-PCR on single pituitary --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Real-time PCR --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Tissue preparation for in situ hybridization --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- In situ hybridization --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Data analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "PCR amplification of FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα and GAPDH in single zebrafish pituitary" --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Establishement of real-time RT-PCR for zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHa and GAPDH" --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- "Temporal expression profiles of zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα subunits during sexual maturation" --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- "Temporal expression profiles of zebrafish FSHp, LHβ and GTHα subunits during ovulatory cycle" --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- "In situ hybridization of zebrafish FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα" --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- Cloning of zebrafish gonadotropin subunit cDNAs --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2 --- Bioactivity and receptor specificity of recombinant zebrafish FSH and LH --- p.91 / Chapter 4.3 --- Expression of gonadotropin subunits during zebrafish sexual maturation and ovulatory cycle --- p.92 / Chapter 4.4 --- "Localization of FSHβ, LHβ and GTHα subunits in zebrafish pituitary" --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5 --- Contributions of the present study --- p.94 / Chapter 4.6 --- Future prospects --- p.95 / References --- p.100

Forkhead domain基因家族編碼了很多對於胚胎發育至關重要的轉錄因子，而Foxp4則屬於p-subtype forkhead轉錄因子其中一員。Foxp4在胚胎發育期間的表達十分活躍，在發育中的腦部的不同地方表達，但其於中樞神經系統發育中的調控角色並不清楚。Foxp4基因剔除小鼠在出生前死於心臟的缺陷表型(心二分支) ，在此時間段，腦部的發育才剛剛開始，因此我們無法利用Foxp4基因剔除小鼠作為研究中樞神經系統發育的動物模型。最近，我們的團隊利用小腦組織培養技術及siRNA發佈的研究顯示，Foxp4在小鼠小腦中的蒲金氏細胞(Purkinje cell)中擔當著重要的維持作用。這項研究結果加深了我們對研究Foxp4在中樞神經系統發育中的調控角色的決心。 / 本論文旨在利用斑馬魚作為實驗模型，研究foxp4在斑馬魚中樞神經系統發育中的表達及調控角色。RT-PCR結果顯示foxp4在斑馬魚發育中的bud stage開始表達，並在及後的階段維持其表達水平。利用原位雜交技術 (whole mount in-situ hybridization)，我們發現foxp4表達的地區主要集中於發育中的腦部。在成年斑馬魚中，foxp4表達在不同組織和器官，包括腦部，眼睛和心臟。成年斑馬魚腦部切片原位雜交 (sectioned in-situ hybridization)則顯示，foxp4在小腦的蒲金氏細胞和視頂蓋(optic tectum)的periventricular gray zone表達。 / 為了進一步探究foxp4對於胚胎發育過程中的功能，我們利用微注射技術，把反義嗎啉 (morpholino) MO1注射到斑馬魚胚胎中，大幅度抑制foxp4的表達水平。胚胎受精後48小時，MO1注入的胚胎顯示出第四腦室腦積水的缺陷表型。組織學分析顯示，第四腦室以下的延髓被壓縮致形態異常。此外，利用原位雜交技術及不同的分子標記，我們發現胚胎的中後腦邊界也會出現輕度畸形，而後腦的神經元數量及排列亦受到影響。 / 本項研究展示foxp4在胚胎中樞神經系統的發展的重要性，亦提供了新的見解。我們認為foxp4可能是調控腦室發育的重要成員，但在此方面與foxp4相關的分子機制仍須作更深入的研究。 / The forkhead domain gene family encodes a large group of transcription factors that play essential roles in development. Foxp4 is one of the members in the Foxp subfamily that expressed in different parts of developing central nervous system (CNS) and its function is less characterized. Previous study on Foxp4-knockout mice resulted in early embryonic lethality due to defective heart tube development that hindered the functional study of Foxp4 in CNS development. Recently, our laboratory reported that Foxp4 functions as a maintenance role in the Purkinje cell in the mouse cerebellum. Nevertheless, the role of foxp4 in CNS development was still unclear. / In this study, we used zebrafish as a model to study the expression pattern and functional study of foxp4 in the developing CNS. RT-PCR analysis showed that foxp4 transcript was expressed at the bud stage and maintained in the later embryonic stages. Whole-mount in-situ hybridization showed that foxp4 expressed in the cephalic region during embryonic development. In adult zebrafish, foxp4 expresses in different tissues and organs including brain, eye and heart. Sectioned in-situ hybridization of the adult zebrafish brain showed that foxp4 was specifically expressed in the Purkinje cell and the periventricular gray zone of optic tectum. / To further investigate the function of foxp4 during embryonic development, we injected antisense morpholino, MO1 into the zebrafish embryo to knockdown foxp4. By 48 hour post fertilization (hpf), MO1-injected embryos displayed hydrocephalus in the 4th ventricle. Histological analysis revealed that the medulla oblongata below the 4th ventricle was compressed by the edema resulting in abnormal morphology of medulla oblongata in the MO1-injected morphant. In addition, a mild malformation of the mid-hindbrain boundary, disrupted hindbrain patterning was observed in MO1-injected morphant. / Our findings provide new insight into the function of foxp4 in embryonic CNS development. We suggested that foxp4 may be essential in regulating the brain ventricle development while the molecular mechanism underlying the functional role of foxp4 requires further investigation. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wong, Wai Kei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-102). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.v / Acknowledgement --- p.vii / Figure and table list --- p.xi / Abbreviation --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Zebrafish as a developmental model --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Zebrafish development with highlights --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- CNS development --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Forkhead domain gene in development --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- History of forkhead domain gene --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Functional roles of forkhead domain genes in development --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Foxp subfamily --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Diverse functions of Foxp1, 2, 3 and 4 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Relationship between Foxp subfamily members --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Foxp4 --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Genomic organization and protein structure of mFoxp4 --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Previous studies of mFoxp4 --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Foxp4 studies in other model organisms --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.3.1 --- Rat --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.3.2 --- Xenopus --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.3.3 --- C. elegans --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Zebrafish foxp4 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.5.1 --- Genomic organization and protein structure of foxp4 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.5.2 --- Sequence alignment of foxp4 with other models --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6 --- Hypothesis, aim and strategy of the study --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Expression of foxp4 in zebrafish embryo and adult zebrafish brain / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Animals --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Materials --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Semi-quantitative PCR --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- cDNA of zebrafish embryo --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Isolation of adult zebrafish organs --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3.3 --- RNA extraction and reverse transcription --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3.4 --- Polymerase chain reaction --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Subcloning of DNA fragment / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Preparation of cloning vectors --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Subcloning of DNA fragments --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.4.3 --- Transformation of DNA into competent cells --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.4.4 --- Preparation of recombinant plasmid DNA --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Whole mount in-situ hybridization of zebrafish embryo --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- Preparation of equipment --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- Preparation of zebrafish embryos --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- Preparation of RNA probe --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.5.4 --- Whole-mount in-situ hybridization --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Sectioned in-situ hybridization of adult zebrafish brain --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.6.1 --- Histology of adult zebrafish brain --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.6.2 --- Sectioned in-situ hybridization --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Expression profile of foxp4 in different stages of zebrafish embryo --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Expression pattern of foxp4 in different stages of zebrafish embryo --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Expression profile of foxp4 in different zebrafish organs and tissues --- p.57 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Expression pattern of foxp4 in adult zebrafish brain --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Functional analysis of foxp4 in zebrafish embryonic development / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Design of morpholino --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Sequencing of morpholino target regions of foxp4 --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Microinjection --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4.1 --- Preparation of materials and equipment --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4.2 --- Preparation of injection needle --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4.3 --- Preparation of morpholinos --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4.4 --- Calibration of injection volume --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.4.5 --- Microinjection of zebrafish embryo --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Western blotting to assay foxp4 translation inhibition --- p.72 / Chapter 3.2.5.1 --- Preparation of protein extracts --- p.72 / Chapter 3.2.5.2 --- Coomassie blue staining --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.5.3 --- Western blotting --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Whole mount in-situ hybridization --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- MO1 knockdown efficiency assayed by Western blotting --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- General morphology of morphants --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Histology at the hindbrain region showing the phenotype --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Whole mount in-situ hybridization of different molecular markers --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.85 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Future directions and conclusion / Chapter 4.1 --- Future directions --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2 --- Conclusion --- p.91 / Reference --- p.92

Wang Yajun. / "April 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 212-248). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.