Developmental functions of rapgef1b in neural crest specification and presomitic mesoderm patterning

Here, we investigated the developmental role of rapgef1 using zebrafish as a model. We show that rapgef1 is maternally expressed and alternately spliced isoforms of its two paralogs, rapgef1a and rapgef1b show development and tissue-specific expression.

CRISPR-Cas9 and morpholino-based targeting of rapgef1b resulted in developmental defects in the embryonic brain and somites. The rapgef1b morphants showed altered expression of lineage determinants of the cranial neural crest. Comparative transcriptome and altered expression analysis of morphants revealed fresh insights into the developmental functions of rapgef1b in presomitic mesoderm, and somitogenesis.