Caudal fin shape imprinted during late zebrafish embryogenesis is re-patterned by SONIC hedgehog.

ABSTRACT: Appendage shape is formed during development - and re-established during regeneration - according to spatial and temporal cues that orchestrate local cell behaviors. The caudal fin is the primary appendage used for propulsion in most fishes, and the organ exhibits a range of distinct morphologies adapted for different swimming strategies. Zebrafish caudal fins develop with a forked shape, with longer supportive bony rays at the periphery and shorter rays at the center of the external organ. Here, we show that inducing a transient pulse of sonic hedgehog a (shha) overexpression during late embryonic development leads to excess growth of the central rays, causing the adult caudal fin to grow into a triangular, truncate shape. Our results identify a period - prior to endogenous shha expressio

SUBMITTER: Surette E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396763 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature