Characterization of transgenic zebrafish lines that express GFP in the retina, pineal gland, olfactory bulb, hatching gland, and optic tectum

Transgenic animals are powerful tools to study gene function invivo. Here we characterize several transgenic zebrafish lines that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the LCRRH2-RH2-1 or LCRRH2-RH2-2 green opsin regulatory elements. Using confocal immunomicroscopy, stereo-fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting, we show that the Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-1:GFP)pt112 and Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-2:GFP)pt115 transgenic zebrafish lines express GFP in the pineal gland and certain types of photoreceptors. In addition, some of these lines also express GFP in the hatching gland, optic tectum, or olfactory bulb. Some of the expression patterns differ significantly from previously published similar transgenic fish lines, making them useful tools for studying the development of the corresponding tissues and organs. In addition, the variations of GFP expression among different lines corroborate the notion that transgenic expression is often subjected to position effect, thus emphasizing the need for careful verification of expression patterns when transgenic animal models are utilized for research.

► GFP expression in the green and blue cones in Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-1:GFP)pt112.
► GFP expression in the green cones in Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-2:GFP)pt115-k.
► GFP expression in the optic tectum in Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-2:GFP)pt115-c.
► GFP expression in the olfactory bulb in Tg(LCRRH2-RH2-2:GFP)pt115-j.