
@article {19198,
	title = {Transcriptional Complexity and Distinct Expression Patterns of auts2 Paralogs in Danio rerio.},
	journal = {G3 (Bethesda)},
	year = {2017},
	month = {2017 Jun 16},
	abstract = {<p>Several genes that have been implicated in autism spectrum disorders are large and have multiple transcripts. Neurons are especially enriched with longer transcripts compared to non-neural cell types. The human autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene is ~1.2 Mb long and is implicated in a number of neurological disorders including autism, intellectual disability, addiction and developmental delay. Recent studies show AUTS2 to be important for activation of transcription of neural specific genes, neuronal migration and neurite outgrowth. However, much remains to be understood regarding the transcriptional complexity and the functional roles of AUTS2 in neurodevelopment. Zebrafish provide an excellent model system for studying both these questions. We undertook genomic identification and characterization of auts2 and its paralogous genes in zebrafish. There are four auts2 family genes in zebrafish: auts2a, auts2b, fbrsl1 and fbrs The absence of complete annotation of their structures hampers functional studies. We present evidence for transcriptional complexity of these four genes mediated by alternative splicing and alternative promoter usage. Furthermore, the expression of the various paralogs is tightly regulated both spatially and developmentally. Our findings suggest that auts2 paralogs serve distinct functions in the development and functioning of target tissues.</p>
},
	issn = {2160-1836},
	doi = {10.1534/g3.117.042622},
	author = {Kondrychyn, Igor and Robra, Lena and Thirumalai, Vatsala}
}
@article {7038,
	title = {The Intracellular Signaling Molecule Darpp-32 Is a Marker for Principal Neurons in the Cerebellum and Cerebellum-Like Circuits of Zebrafish.},
	journal = {Front Neuroanat},
	volume = {10},
	year = {2016},
	month = {2016},
	pages = {81},
	abstract = {<p>The dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein of apparent molecular weight 32 kDa (Darpp-32) is an inhibitory subunit of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1). Darpp-32 activity is regulated by multiple ligand-activated G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). This protein is coded for by the protein phosphatase-1 regulatory subunit 1b (ppp1r1b) gene. Here, we provide experimental evidence for the presence of multiple isoforms of ppp1r1b in zebrafish. We show that these isoforms are differentially expressed during development with the full-length isoform being maternally deposited. Next, with a custom polyclonal antibody generated against the full-length protein, we show that in the adult, Darpp-32 is strongly expressed in principal neurons of the cerebellum and cerebellum-like circuits. These include Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum, Type-I neurons in the optic tectum, and crest cells in the medial octavolateralis nucleus (MON). We confirmed the identity of these neurons through their colocalization with Parvalbumin 7 immunoreactivity. Darpp-32 is seen in the somata and dendrites of these neurons with faint staining in the axons. In all of these regions, Darpp-32-immunoreactive cells were in close proximity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive puncta indicating the presence of direct catecholaminergic input to these neurons. Darpp-32 immunoreactivity was seen in Purkinje neurons as early as 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) when Purkinje neurons are first specified. In sum, we show that Darpp-32, a signaling integrator, is a specific marker of principal neurons in the cerebellum and cerebellum-like circuits in zebrafish.</p>
},
	issn = {1662-5129},
	doi = {10.3389/fnana.2016.00081},
	author = {Robra, Lena and Thirumalai, Vatsala}
}
