PROLACTIN FUNCTION IN ZEBRAFISH DEVELOPMENT

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Nhu Nguyen (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Terry L. West

Abstract: Extensive studies have implicated a myriad of functional roles for prolactin (PRL) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) across a variety of adult vertebrate species. However much less is known about the physiological role(s) of PRL during embryonic/fetal development. Previously we demonstrated that in vivo knockdown of PRL produced embryos with multiple morphological abnormalities. In this study we explored the function of the PRLR family during embryogenesis and established the zebrafish as a useful model organism to examine embryonic functions of PRL. The combined results (1) define a role for PRL during early embryonic development (2) provide plausible explanation(s) for the observed phenotypes in PRL-knockdown embryos and (3) provide a foundation for the direction of future research using zebrafish as a model for studying physiological roles and molecular mechanisms of the PRL superfamily in vertebrates. 

Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Date: 2012

Keywords

Endocrinology, Developmental biology, Molecular biology, Embryonic development, Morpholino, Organogenesis, Prolactin, Prolactin Receptor, Zebrafish

Subjects

Prolactin--Research

Zebra danios as laboratory animals

Zebra danios--Embryology

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