A high-throughput enhancer trap technique will be refined and subsequently exploited to systematically define hundreds of genes that are important in the retinal development of zebrafish. The technique is a powerful adaptation of well-characterized P-transposon methods that have been so effective in dissecting the genetics of Drosophila development. In this case, the method relies on the selective expression of transposons tagged with a nontoxic fluorochrome, i.e., green fluorescent protein (GFP). Relatively efficient integration of the transposon has been demonstrated, and more than 5 percent of integration events are expected to lead to GFP expression under the control of endogenous enhancers in select populations of cells and tissues. Lines of fish in which GFP is expressed selectively in retina or other tissues will be identified and preserved for more detailed developmental, morphometric and genetic analyses by the principal investigator and others. As in Drosophila, a significant fraction of transposition events is expected to disturb normal gene expression and to lead to mutations or quantitative variants. This feature of the enhancer trap is particularly significant because it should enable a fine-grained analysis of subtle abnormalities in retina that would otherwise escape detection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY013020-04
Application #
6525044
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
1999-09-30
Project End
2004-09-29
Budget Start
2002-09-30
Budget End
2003-09-29
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$274,853
Indirect Cost
Name
Florida State University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
020520466
City
Tallahassee
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32306
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