Int. J. Dev. Biol. 50: 435 - 438 (2006)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.052065rs

Vol 50, Issue 4

Expression of FoxP2 during zebrafish development and in the adult brain

Open Access | Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 1 March 2006

Rina Shah¹, Olga Medina-Martinez², Li-Fang Chu³, Rodney C. Samaco² and Milan Jamrich*^,1,2

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, ²Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and ³Cell and Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

Abstract

Fox (forkhead) genes encode transcription factors that play important roles in the regulation of embryonic patterning as well as in tissue specific gene expression. Mutations in the human FOXP2 gene cause abnormal speech development. Here we report the structure and expression pattern of zebrafish FoxP2. In zebrafish, this gene is first expressed at the 20-somite stage in the presumptive telencephalon. At this stage there is a significant overlap of FoxP2 expression with the expression of the emx homeobox genes. However, in contrast to emx1, FoxP2 is not expressed in the pineal gland or in the pronephric duct. After 72 hours of development, the expression of zebrafish FoxP2 becomes more complex in the brain. The developing optic tectum becomes the major area of FoxP2 expression. In the adult brain, the highest concentrations of the FoxP2 transcript can be observed in the optic tectum. In the cerebellum, only the caudal lobes show high levels of Foxp2 expression. These regions correspond to the vestibulocerebellum of mammals. Several other regions of the brain also show high levels of Foxp2 expression.

Keywords

Emx, forkhead, FoxP2, homeobox, speech, telencephalon, zebrafish