Analysis of pigment regeneration in a GNAQ Q209L zebrafish model of melanoma — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Analysis of pigment regeneration in a GNAQ Q209L zebrafish model of melanoma

Name: Josey Muske
Major: Biology
Hometown: Trevor, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Henle
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: SURE

Name: Tanisha Perlmutter
Major: Biology and Neuroscience
Hometown: Detroit Lakes, MN
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Henle
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: SURE

Abstract

Transgenic GNAQ^Q209L zebrafish have a hyperactive point mutation in a Gα protein in melanocytes, which may lead to increased proliferation and or survival of this pigmented cell type. We used zebrafish to study the role of this protein during pigment regeneration in tissue. We amputated the zebrafish caudal fin to analyze pigmentation changes and determine the origin of melanocytes during tissue regeneration. We asked whether pre-existing melanocytes from adjacent tissue migrate and proliferate into new tissue post-amputation, or whether unpigmented melanocyte precursors develop and proliferate to form pigmented areas in regenerated tissue. This study used phenylthiourea to block formation of new pigment in regenerating tissue and address these two possible outcomes. Pigmentation in the regenerating caudal fin was analyzed by microscopy weekly until week 7. We found no significant difference in the area of pigmentation pre- and post-amputation, but did find that expression of GNAQ^Q209L increased the total pigmented area compared to wild type zebrafish. Importantly, our results suggest that pigmentation in regenerating tissues in both GNAQ^Q209L and wild type zebrafish arises from unpigmented melanocyte precursors rather than migration of pre-existing melanocytes. This study provides a better understanding of how GNAQ^Q209L affects melanocyte development during regeneration. Future research with this model may lead to a better understanding of cell signaling in diseases in which melanocytes are hyperproliferative, such as cutaneous skin melanoma or uveal melanoma.

Poster file