Chromatin Regulation During Fin Regeneration in Zebrafish

Presenter: Matthew Garish, Biology

Vertebrate organisms such as the Zebrafish have developed molecular processes to regenerate their fins after amputation by epigenetic cell reprogramming. An insight into the molecular processes could prove clinically useful in addressing such problems as tissue repair. The transcript of KDM6B.1, a histone demethylase (me3K27H3), has already been established in caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish via in situ hybridization. I hypothesize that KDM6B.1 plays a crucial role in zebrafish fin regeneration. I propose to spatially and temporally establish expression patterns of KDM6B.1 during fin regeneration. To address this question, I have purified a KDM6B.1 antigen and antibodies against the antigen. I performed techniques to surgically remove a portion of the Zebrafish’s fin. I have characterized the antibody using such in vitro methods as affinity purification and immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis. After characterizing the antibody, I performed studies on the zebrafish such as immunohistological analysis during fin regeneration. The results concluded higher expression of KDM6B.1 specifically in regenerating tissue. I believe that understanding the results of a histone demethylase during fin regeneration has given insight to the ability of a cell to reprogram itself in response to injury which will give insight to tissue repair.