We developed the bitterling as a unique, well-studied model organism in the area of the evolutionary ecology of brood parasitism. The bitterling-mussel relationship, interspecific mussel host... Show moreWe developed the bitterling as a unique, well-studied model organism in the area of the evolutionary ecology of brood parasitism. The bitterling-mussel relationship, interspecific mussel host preference, and mussel gill structure are studied in detail, to help understand the developmental adaptation of bitterling embryos in response to their mussel hosts. Our complete stage series of the bitterling species R. ocellatus in Chapter 2 is a new, character-based systems that are compatible with the widely-used zebrafish staging system. With time-lapse video, we demonstrated the dynamic processes of hatching moment of the rosy bitterling in real time, which indicates the hatching process is mechanical rather than enzymatic. In Chapter 3, we described the neuroanatomy of bitterling for the first time, filling the gaps in the previous embryonic research in various bitterling taxa. Combined with the molecular analysis of brain early development in Chapter 4, brain development in the rosy bitterling is compared with that in the zebrafish. In Chapter 5, we studied the morphogenetic process of blastokinesis in the bitterling embryo, and its possible relation to brood parasitism. Show less
Cells communicate in multicellular organisms; by secreting and sensing signals, in order to adjust their behavior to the environment. Extracellular signals such as cytokines and growth factors bind... Show moreCells communicate in multicellular organisms; by secreting and sensing signals, in order to adjust their behavior to the environment. Extracellular signals such as cytokines and growth factors bind to cell surface receptors and trigger the activation of multiple protein signal transduction cascades that mediate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and motility. The Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family is a group of homologous proteins forming several linear signal transduction pathways. The MAPK family is conserved among eukaryotes and most vertebrates contain at least 14 MAPKs. We are interested in the molecular mechanisms of MAPK signalling that facilitate proper development of the zebrafish embryo. The zebrafish is an excellent model to delineate MAPK associated embryonic processes. The bodyplan is completed within 24hours and within a week most organs are formed. With the current available zebrafish tools molecular mechanisms could be identified and linked to cellular processes and morphological observations. We constructed constitutive active zebrafish Erk2 mutants for identification of new signalling events. We completed expression analysis of all P38 isoforms by expression analysis of the P38_ and P38_ isoforms. We also performed a comparative study between P38_ and Erk2 MAPK in gastrulation. Finally, We addressed the role of P38_ in zebrafish angiogenesis. Show less
