Expression of the Ets transcription factors erm and pea3 in early zebrafish development

Here we report the cloning of zebrafish erm and pea3 cDNAs, which are membe rs of the PEA3 subgroup of Ets transcription factors. The expression patter ns of these two genes were examined during zebrafish embryogenesis. Materna l mRNAs of both genes are detectable and transcripts are found ubiquitously until the late blastula, in the marginal zone of gastrula stages and in th e presumptive fore- and hindbrain and in the trunk region of early somite s tages. Later, erm expression is observed in distinct regions of the forebra in, the mid-/hindbrain boundary, the differentiating rhombomeres, branchial arches, otic vesicles, the pectoral fins, the somites and the tailbud in a dynamic fashion. In contrast, pea3 is not expressed in the rhombomeres but in the Rohon-Beard neurons, the sensory lateral line placodes and the hear t. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.