Characterization of the neuroligin gene family expression and evolution in zebrafish.

摘要: Neuroligins constitute a family of transmembrane proteins localized at the postsynaptic side both excitatory and inhibitory synapses central nervous system. They are involved in synaptic function maturation recent studies have linked mutations specific human to mental retardation autism. We isolated Neuroligin homologs Danio rerio. Next, we studied their gene structures reconstructed evolution genes across vertebrate phyla. Using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, analyzed expression alternative splicing pattern each during zebrafish embryonic development different adult organs. By situ hybridization, temporal spatial larval stages found that expressed throughout Globally, our results indicate that, evolution, subfunctionalization events occurred within paralogous members this zebrafish.