Analyzing Gene Expression of Human PIG11 Homologs (PIG11a AND PIG11b) In Zebrafish Embryos
Location
Golden Eagles
Start Date
2-5-2025 11:40 AM
Department
Biology
Abstract
TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis in response to cellular stress. TP53 acts as a transcription factor that can promote the expression of many pro-apoptotic genes, including tp53-induced gene 11 (PIG11). The loss of PIG11 can contribute to cancer development by reducing apoptosis and allowing damaged cells to survive. In zebrafish, the PIG11 gene has been duplicated, giving rise to two sister genes called pig11a and pig11b. To understand its function, we will determine where and when pig11a and pig11b are expressed during development using a process called whole-mount situ hybridization (WISH). This technique allows us to visualize gene expression patterns in intact embryos, providing information about which cells express pig11a/b during development. To determine where pig11a/b are expressed, we will focus on the five following stages: neurulation (10 hours post-fertilization, hpf), after neural tube formation (18 hpf), differentiation of sensory neurons (24 hpf), during peak apoptosis in the spinal cord (36 hpf), and after peak apoptosis (3 days post-fertilization, dpf). We expect that pig11a and pig11b will be expressed in areas of developmentally regulated programmed cell death, such as the brain and spinal cord.
Faculty Sponsor
Jorge Cantu
Analyzing Gene Expression of Human PIG11 Homologs (PIG11a AND PIG11b) In Zebrafish Embryos
Golden Eagles
TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis in response to cellular stress. TP53 acts as a transcription factor that can promote the expression of many pro-apoptotic genes, including tp53-induced gene 11 (PIG11). The loss of PIG11 can contribute to cancer development by reducing apoptosis and allowing damaged cells to survive. In zebrafish, the PIG11 gene has been duplicated, giving rise to two sister genes called pig11a and pig11b. To understand its function, we will determine where and when pig11a and pig11b are expressed during development using a process called whole-mount situ hybridization (WISH). This technique allows us to visualize gene expression patterns in intact embryos, providing information about which cells express pig11a/b during development. To determine where pig11a/b are expressed, we will focus on the five following stages: neurulation (10 hours post-fertilization, hpf), after neural tube formation (18 hpf), differentiation of sensory neurons (24 hpf), during peak apoptosis in the spinal cord (36 hpf), and after peak apoptosis (3 days post-fertilization, dpf). We expect that pig11a and pig11b will be expressed in areas of developmentally regulated programmed cell death, such as the brain and spinal cord.