Description:
University of Oregon Researchers: David Lains, Zoltan Varga
absolute Zebrafish Line.
Summary of Our Technology: The absolute line is a cross between two recessive, non-lethal mutations: mitfab692(nacre) and ednrb1ab140 (rose). The result is a transparent zebrafish line that allows observation of organs, as well as fluorescent reporter gene products, without invasive manipulations. The double mutant lacks Melanophores (black pigment cells) and iridophores (silver/reflective pigment cells), but retains some Xanthophores (yellow pigment cells). Adults have yellowish/transparent skin. The double-mutant line is bred according to standard mendelian genetics.
Advantages: Normal pigmentation is strongly reduced allowing internal organs, tissues and cells to be observed without obstruction by black or silver/reflective pigment cells. Yellow pigment is reduced, but present. These pigment cells are relatively permissive for fluorescence and normal illumination for microscopy.
Benefits: Transparent fish can be used to screen for mutations, or the expression of fluorescent reporter products such as GFP or other fluorescent proteins in mutagenic screens, toxicity screens, drug screens, behavioral screens, cell and tissue movements or growth. The large-scale, bulk use of such mutant or transgenic absolute lines would provide effective and efficient screening strategies to investigate the effects of (small) chemical molecules, chemical compounds, toxins, hormones, and potential drugs on physiology, metabolism, or inherence of traits. These fish can be used in a wide variety of biomedical tests and applications.
For more information, please refer to ZIRC.