Characterization of spatial and temporal expression pattern of SCG10 during zebrafish development

SCG10 (Superior Cervical Ganglia 10, STMN2) is a member of the stathmin family of proteins. Stathmins regulate microtubule dynamics by inhibiting polymerization and promoting their depolymerization. SCG10 is believed to be a neuronal-specific stathmin that is enriched in the growth cones of developing neurons and plays a role in regulating neurite outgrowth. In all species examined so far, SCG10 is expressed in both the CNS and PNS. We have cloned two zebrafish SCG10 homologues and have determined the temporal and spatial expression pattern of both of these genes by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. RT-PCR shows that both transcripts are expressed maternally and zygotically through at least 5 days. In situ hybridization analysis reveals that both SCG10 orthologues have dynamic, spatial expression patterns that are nearly identical to each other. Initially, these orthologues are expressed in discrete areas of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, as well as in the anterior and posterior lateral line ganglia and transiently in the spinal cord Rohon-Beard neurons. From 48 hpf onwards, the level of expression of both genes increases and becomes mainly restricted to the anterior CNS (the forebrain region, retina, optic tectum, and hindbrain), and to the cranial ganglia. From 72 to 96 hpf, SCG10 genes are also expressed in the developing neurons in the gut and in the surrounding intestinal mesenchyme. Our results provide a starting point for future studies that will investigate the in vivo function of SCG10 orthologues in zebrafish neural development.