Stochastic gene expression and environmental stressors trigger variable somite segmentation phenotypes

ABSTRACT: Mutations of several genes cause incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity of phenotypes. Although phenotypic variabilities are usually attributed to modifier genes or gene-environment interactions, causes of variable outcomes are still unclear. Here, we used loss of function her1 and her7 somite segmentation clock mutants in zebrafish as a quantitative testbed to investigate the causes of phenotypic variability. By quantifying individual somite boundary defects in single mutant embryos, we found stochastic gene expression underlies variability of segmentation defects. Phenotypic strength is further augmented under unfavorable conditions, like low temperature and hypoxia. By performing live imaging of the segmentation clock reporters, we further showed that groups of cells with highe

ORGANISM(S): Danio rerio (zebrafish)

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PROVIDER: S-BSST1156 | bioimages |

REPOSITORIES: bioimages