Zebrafish heparin-binding neurotrophic factor enhances neurite outgrowth during its development

Ming Huang Chang, Chang Jen Huang, Sheng Ping L. Hwang, I. Ching Lu, Chien Ming Lin, Tzong Fu Kuo, Chih Ming Chou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Heparin-binding neurotrophic factor (HBNF) is a secreted heparin-binding protein containing highly basic and cysteine-rich amino acid residues. In this study, we cloned the full-length HBNF cDNA from zebrafish and determined its genomic structure by bioinformatics analysis. Zebrafish HBNF gene is composed of five exons and four introns spanning approximately 82kb. RT-PCR analysis revealed that zebrafish HBNF transcript was highly expressed in adult brain and intestine tissues while less in other tissues. During embryogenesis, zebrafish HBNF transcript was observed to be moderately expressed at earlier stages with a gradual decline. Higher expression level was observed after hatching and maintaining this level into adulthood. The overall amino acid sequence of zebrafish HBNF shows 60% identity to human HBNF, but with approximately 40% identity to other midkine proteins. Like mammalian homolog, zebrafish HBNF could induce significant neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells without NGF stimulation. In addition, zebrafish HBNF was able to enhance extensive neurite outgrowth in zebrafish embryos during embryogenesis. In summary, a feasible in vivo assay for neurite outgrowth was established in zebrafish.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)502-509
Number of pages8
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume321
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 20 2004

Keywords

  • Heparin-binding neurotrophic factor
  • Neurite outgrowth
  • Neuron-specific promoter
  • PC12 cells
  • Zebrafish

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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