Zebrafish Models of Craniofacial Malformations: Interactions of Environmental Factors.

ABSTRACT: The zebrafish is an appealing model organism for investigating the genetic (G) and environmental (E) factors, as well as their interactions (GxE), which contribute to craniofacial malformations. Here, we review zebrafish studies on environmental factors involved in the etiology of craniofacial malformations in humans including maternal smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition and drug use. As an example, we focus on the (cleft) palate, for which the zebrafish ethmoid plate is a good model. This review highlights the importance of investigating ExE interactions and discusses the variable effects of exposure to environmental factors on craniofacial development depending on dosage, exposure time and developmental stage. Zebrafish also promise to be a good tool to study novel craniofacial terat

SUBMITTER: Raterman ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7701217 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature