Heterogeneity in progenitor cell subtypes in the ventricular zone of the zebrafish adult telencephalon

Glia. 2010 May;58(7):870-88. doi: 10.1002/glia.20971.

Abstract

The zebrafish has become a new model for adult neurogenesis, owing to its abundant neurogenic areas in most brain subdivisions. Radial glia-like cells, actively proliferating cells, and label-retaining progenitors have been described in these areas. In the telencephalon, this complexity is enhanced by an organization of the ventricular zone (VZ) in fast and slow-dividing domains, suggesting the existence of heterogeneous progenitor types. In this work, we studied the expression of various transgenic or immunocytochemical markers for glial cells (gfap:gfp, cyp19a1b:gfp, BLBP, and S100beta), progenitors (nestin:gfp and Sox2), and neuroblasts (PSA-NCAM) in cycling progenitors of the adult zebrafish telencephalon (identified by expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), MCM5, or bromodeoxyuridine incorporation). We demonstrate the existence of distinct populations of dividing cells at the adult telencephalic VZ. Progenitors of the overall slow-cycling domains express high levels of Sox2 and nestin:gfp as well as all glial markers tested. In contrast, domains with an overall fast division rate are characterized by low or missing expression of glial markers. PCNA-positive cells in fast domains further display a morphology distinct from radial glia and co-express PSA-NCAM, suggesting that they are early neuronal precursors. In addition, the VZ contains cycling progenitors that express neither glial markers nor nestin:gfp, but are positive for Sox2 and PSA-NCAM, identifying them as committed neuroblasts. On the basis of the marker gene expression and distinct cell morphologies, we propose a classification for the dividing cell states at the zebrafish adult telencephalic VZ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / analysis
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism
  • Lateral Ventricles
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nestin
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / analysis
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / genetics
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / metabolism
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • SOX Transcription Factors / analysis
  • SOX Transcription Factors / genetics
  • SOX Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Sialic Acids / analysis
  • Sialic Acids / genetics
  • Sialic Acids / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / classification
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Telencephalon / cytology*
  • Telencephalon / physiology
  • Zebrafish / anatomy & histology*
  • Zebrafish / physiology
  • Zebrafish Proteins / analysis
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nestin
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1
  • SOX Transcription Factors
  • Sialic Acids
  • Sox2 protein, zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • polysialyl neural cell adhesion molecule