Nrdp1 governs differentiation of the melanocyte lineage via Erbb3b signaling in the zebrafish embryogenesis

NRDP1/FLRP1 is an E3-ubiquitin ligase with RBCC (RING, B-box, coiled-coil) motifs. NRDP1 is involved in versatile cellular signaling mechanisms in various species. Nonetheless, their functional roles in embryogenesis are largely unknown. We thus identified, isolated, and analyzed spatiotemporal expression and functional roles of zebrafish nrdp1 in the zebrafish embryogenesis. nrdp1 transcripts are prevalent in the neural crest cells, nervous system and skeletal muscle throughout the embryogenesis. Morpholino based knockdown of nrdp1 hinders pigmentation process. Based on further analysis of the nrdp1 morphants with markers for pigmentation process, we propose that Nrdp1 is associated with differentiation process of the melanocyte lineage by regulating Erbb3b, an Erbb signaling molecule along zebrafish embryogenesis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.