Transgenic animals are powerful tools to study gene function invivo. Here we characterize several transgenic zebrafish lines that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the LCR(RH2)-RH2-1 or LCR(RH2)-RH2-2 green opsin regulatory elements. Using confocal immunomicroscopy, stereo-fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting, we show that the Tg(LCR(RH2)-RH2-1:GFP)(pt112) and Tg(LCR(RH2)-RH2-2:GFP)(pt115) transgenic zebrafish lines express GFP in the pineal gland and certain types of photoreceptors. In addition, some of these lines also express GFP in the hatching gland, optic tectum, or olfactory bulb. Some of the expression patterns differ significantly from previously published similar transgenic fish lines, making them useful tools for studying the development of the corresponding tissues and organs. In addition, the variations of GFP expression among different lines corroborate the notion that transgenic expression is often subjected to position effect, thus emphasizing the need for careful verification of expression patterns when transgenic animal models are utilized for research.

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green opsin regulatory elements gene function animal blotting green fluorescent protein lcrrh2rh21 or zebrafish research confocal immunomicroscopy stereofluorescence microscopy

Wei, Fang Sarah, Bonaffini Jian, Zou Xiaolei, Wang Cen, Zhang Taro, Tsujimura Shoji, Kawamura Xiangyun, Wei,.Characterization of transgenic zebrafish lines that express GFP in the retina, pineal gland, olfactory bulb, hatching gland, and optic tectum.. 13 (5-6),150-9.

Wei, Fang Sarah, Bonaffini Jian, Zou Xiaolei, Wang Cen, Zhang Taro, Tsujimura Shoji, Kawamura Xiangyun, Wei,"Characterization of transgenic zebrafish lines that express GFP in the retina, pineal gland, olfactory bulb, hatching gland, and optic tectum." 13

Wei, Fang Sarah, Bonaffini Jian, Zou Xiaolei, Wang Cen, Zhang Taro, Tsujimura Shoji, Kawamura Xiangyun, Wei,"Characterization of transgenic zebrafish lines that express GFP in the retina, pineal gland, olfactory bulb, hatching gland, and optic tectum."