Developmental role of GnRH and PACAP in a zebrafish model

GnRH is expressed early in development long before reproduction begins. To determine whether GnRH has a role in development, gene knockdown with morpholinos was used in one-cell zebrafish embryos to block translation of gnrh mRNA into protein. Gene knockdown of gnrh2, gnrh3 or both at the one-cell stage resulted in a high percentage of embryos at 24-48 h with a defective mid-hindbrain boundary and underdeveloped eyes; a small percentage of embryos at 72 h had a defective heart. In similar studies on GHRH-PACAP, gene knockdown resulted in a smaller brain and eyes, but a normal-appearing heart. The evidence supports a role for the three neuropeptides in early development.