Genetic Dissection of Hematopoiesis Using the Zebrafish

Abstract

H ematopoiesis during embryogenesis and adult life has been extensively studied in several vertebrate models. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has recently provided a powerful genetic system to further dissect the molecular pathways of hematopoiesis. Large-scale genetic screens utilizing the zebrafish have identified blood mutants with defects in mesoderm patterning, hematopoietic stem cell generation and maintenance, hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, and erythoid differentiation. Cloning of the mutations has revealed both known and novel genes required for blood production, and served to underscore the strength of the zebrafish as a hematopoietic model. Continued study of zebrafish hematopoietic mutants offers an exciting venue to investigate hematopoiesis during vertebrate ontogeny, as well as to elucidate therapeutics for human blood diseases.