Exploring the role of Reggie genes and microdomain signaling during zebrafish development

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Reggie-1 and -2 are plasma membrane-associated proteins and characteristic markers of lipid-raft microdomains, which appear to provide assemble functional platforms for signaling across the plasma membrane in neurons and many other cell types. In rats and goldfish, reggies are upregulated during axon growth and regeneration. We have previously identified four reggie genes in the zebrafish, all of which are transcribed in early development, particularly during the morphogenesis of the embryonic eye, brain and somites. Components of the Hedgehog signaling pathway are major players in the patterning of these structures, and are also known to interact with lipid rafts. Here, we propose tho examine the function of zebrafish reggie genes by a combination of in-situ hybridizations, antibody stainings and morpholino gene targeting. In addition, we will examine the possible functional association between reggies and the Hedgehog signaling pathway during axon growth/regeneration, by means of protein co-localiszation and co-immunoprecipitation in cultured cells.