A MAGE/NDN-Like Gene in Zebrafish

Abstract

The human necdin/MAGE gene family has over 50 members, but most of the proteins encoded by these genes are of unknown function. We have now identified a single locus in Danio rerio that encodes a putative protein with significant coding sequence similarity to the mammalian NDN/MAGE genes. Analysis of the complete Fugu ribripes genome sequence also suggests that there is only a single MAGE-like gene in teleost fish. mage is expressed in the larval and adult brain, specifically the retina, the medial region of the telencephalon, periventricular gray zone of the optic tectum, and most highly in the cerebellar corpus. The discovery of a zebrafish NDN/MAGE gene expressed the developing brain facilitates studies of the MAGE homology domain in vertebrate development. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.