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Left–right asymmetry in zebrafish

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Abstract

In vertebrates, internal organs are positioned asymmetrically across the left–right (LR) axis, placing them in a defined area within the body. This LR asymmetric placement is a conserved feature of the vertebrate body plan. Events determining LR asymmetry occur during embryonic development, and are regulated by the coordinated action of genetic mechanisms that are evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates. Recent studies using zebrafish have provided new insights into how the Kupffer’s vesicle organizer region is generated, and how it relays LR asymmetry information to the lateral plate mesoderm. In this review, we summarize recent advances in zebrafish and describe our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying these processes.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Ian Smith for advice, helpful discussions and critical reading of the manuscript. We also thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Uehara Memorial Foundation, the Nakajima Foundation and the Mochida Memorial Foundation for past and current support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gene Regulation Research, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Nara, 630-0101, Japan

    Takaaki Matsui & Yasumasa Bessho

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  1. Takaaki Matsui
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  2. Yasumasa Bessho
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Correspondence to Takaaki Matsui.

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Matsui, T., Bessho, Y. Left–right asymmetry in zebrafish. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 69, 3069–3077 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-0985-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-0985-6

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