Bioelectrical signal controls skin pattern formation of zebrafish

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840080
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: ARAMAKI Toshihiro 大阪大学, 生命機能研究科, 特任研究員(常勤) (30525340)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 形態形成 / 電気シグナル / 光遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, optogenetics techniques were introduced into zebrafish pigment cells. When illuminated by blue light, Channelrhodopsin-2 expressing melanophores were artificially depolarized and showed enhanced cellular motility in vitro. Using this technique, we then artificially altered skin pattern in vivo by switching rearing light conditions. The resulting pattern indicated that a reaction-diffusion system is viable in zebrafish skin pattern formation process.

Free Research Field

発生生物学