Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta is critical for zebrafish intersegmental vessel formation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) is a tyrosine kinase receptor known to affect vascular development. The zebrafish is an excellent model to study specific regulators of vascular development, yet the role of PDGF signaling has not been determined in early zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, vascular mural cells, in which PDGFRbeta functions cell autonomously in other systems, have not been identified in zebrafish embryos younger than 72 hours post fertilization.

Methodology/principal findings

In order to investigate the role of PDGFRbeta in zebrafish vascular development, we cloned the highly conserved zebrafish homolog of PDGFRbeta. We found that pdgfrbeta is expressed in the hypochord, a developmental structure that is immediately dorsal to th

SUBMITTER: Wiens KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2892519 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature