Characterization of genetic loss-of-function of Fus in zebrafish

RNA Biol. 2017 Jan 2;14(1):29-35. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2016.1256532. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Abstract

The RNA-binding protein FUS is implicated in transcription, alternative splicing of neuronal genes and DNA repair. Mutations in FUS have been linked to human neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). We genetically disrupted fus in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The fus knockout animals are fertile and did not show any distinctive phenotype. Mutation of fus induces mild changes in gene expression on the transcriptome and proteome level in the adult brain. We observed a significant influence of genetic background on gene expression and 3'UTR usage, which could mask the effects of loss of Fus. Unlike published fus morphants, maternal zygotic fus mutants do not show motoneuronal degeneration and exhibit normal locomotor activity.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas9; Danio rerio; Fus; genetic knockout; morpholino; zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Exons
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genetic Background
  • Genotype
  • Proteome
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS / metabolism
  • Transcriptome
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Proteome
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS