Role of Fmn2b in the development of lateral line system of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Formins are a family of proteins that are involved in nucleating and elongating actin filaments and are hence hypothesized to be involved in the development of nervous system. The project aims at studying the role of one member of the Formin family, Formin2b, in the development of lateral line system by studying the defects in development caused by the knockdown of the protein in zebrafish embryos. Behavior experiments showed balance defects and a defect in escape responses suggesting defects in the development of inner ear and/or mechanosensory lateral line of the embryos. Using antisense morpholinos to reduce Fmn2b levels in the embryos, it was found that there are defects in the development of lateral line in the embryos with Fmn2b knockdown. The number of neuromasts in the lateral line system and the interval between consecutive neuromasts was affected due to Fmn2b knockdown. This could be because of defects in actin bundling during the maturation and deposition of neuromasts.