Effects of the GNAQQ209L Mutation on Melanophore Migration in Zebrafish — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
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Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Effects of the GNAQQ209L Mutation on Melanophore Migration in Zebrafish

Name: Melanie Gucwa
Major: Biology
Hometown: Carol Stream, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Henle
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research

Name: Steven Wright
Major: Biology
Hometown: Racine, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Henle
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research

Abstract

Danio rerio, a species of zebrafish, is a prevalent model organism used to study uveal melanoma ‒ a cancer of pigmented cells called melanophores. Uveal melanoma is a cancer of the eye, but it also expresses itself throughout the organism, altering the patterns of skin pigmentation. We use zebrafish with a hyperactive GNAQQ209L mutation in melanophores (pigmented cells) to model uveal melanoma. The mutation affects the G𝛼 subunit protein that associates with a G-protein coupled receptor pathway. The mutated G𝛼 subunit remains bound to GTP, prolonging the activation of downstream signaling. However, the direct cellular response to this altered signaling is not fully understood. Our initial hypothesis was that the melanophores in the zebrafish will move to form clusters (and potential precursors to tumors) on the GNAQQ209L fish more than on wild type fish due to the hyperactive signaling of the mutant cellular response. The purpose of this experiment was to compare melanophore migration in GNAQQ209L mutant fish and wild type fish. Time lapse microscopy was used to analyze cell movement in developing zebrafish larvae and during tail regeneration in young adult zebrafish. Melanophores were also imaged in mature adult fish to observe cell locations in the adult caudal fin after migration has occurred. Different migratory patterns were observed on the caudal fins of wild type and mutant fish, and the distance between melanophores in their dormant and migrating form was measured with FIJI software. This research is significant because it allows for a better understanding of the role of GNAQQ209L in cell migration and potentially in metastasis or the spread of cancer.