Roles of zebrafish Fgf17b and FGF-responsive transcription factor Spf in the development of the zebrafish embryos

【摘要】：正 Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play an important role in the formation of mesodermaland ectodermal tissues during early development of vertebrate embryos. We have identified anovel member of FGF family in zebrafish, Fgf17b, an ortholog of human FGF17. Theexpression of fgf17b occurs during late blastulation and early gastrulation in the blastodermalmargin where cells commit to the mesoderm fate. During segmentation, fgf17b is expressed inthe forebrain and developing somites. Overexpression of fgf17b can dorsalize embryos, resultingin increased expression of dorsal markers and decreased expression of ventral markers.