The skeleton and pharyngeal teeth of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model of biomineralization in vertebrates

Abstract

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become one of the most common models for genetics, and developmental research in the biosciences. Synchrotron radiation micro computer tomography (SRlCT), scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and energydispersive X-ray analysis were applied to visualize the biomineralization in teeth and bones in high spatial resolution.Keywords: Zebrafish (Danio rerio); synchrotron radiation micro computer tomography; scanning electron microscopy; biomineralization; bone; teeth Der Zebrafisch (Danio rerio) gehört zu den gebräuchlichsten Modellorganismen für genetische und entwicklungsbiologische Fragestellungen in der Biologie. Durch die Anwendung von Synchrotron-Mikrocomputertomographie (SRlCT), Rasterelektronenmikroskopie, Polarisationslichtmikroskopie und energiedispersiver Röntgenspektroskopie kann die Biomineralisation von Zähnen und Knochen im Zebrafisch veranschaulicht werden.

Mineral distribution in highly fluorotic and in normal teeth: A synchrotron microcomputer tomographic study

“…Developing human molars were studied by Avishai et al [21]. We have studied the pharyngeal teeth of zebrafish [22]. Such analyses are only possible for small teeth, i.e.…”

Comparative Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Biomineralization of Tooth Development in Man and Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…The basic morphology of these pharyngeal teeth is similar to the morphology of most vertebrate teeth (Huysseune et al, 1998;Neues et al, 2006). The crown is covered by a thin layer of enameloid, whereas the tooth consists of tubular dentin, which surrounds the pulp chamber with odontoblasts and pulp cells (Neues et al, 2006). Enameloid is different from enamel of vertebrate teeth due to its different content of organic components.…”

“…On each side of both pharyngeal jaws, they are arranged in three rows of which the ventral row consists of five teeth, the mid-dorsal row consists of four teeth, and the dorsal row contains two teeth ( Van der heyden et al, 2001;Wautier et al, 2001). The basic morphology of these pharyngeal teeth is similar to the morphology of most vertebrate teeth (Huysseune et al, 1998;Neues et al, 2006). The crown is covered by a thin layer of enameloid, whereas the tooth consists of tubular dentin, which surrounds the pulp chamber with odontoblasts and pulp cells (Neues et al, 2006).…”

X-ray Microcomputer Tomography for the Study of Biomineralized Endo- and Exoskeletons of Animals

“…67 Consequently, these biomineralized structures are well accessible by µCT. For small fish, they are much more delicate than in the case of mammals.…”

“…We have studied a complete zebrafish (Danio rerio; length about 3 cm) after embedding it in epoxy resin at an energy of 19 keV with a resolution of 7 µm. 67 Due to the size of the fish, it had to be measured in 11 segments which were later electronically assembled. Note that the fish was not physically cut, but different sections were exposed to the X-ray beam by variation of the vertical position of the sample in the X-ray beam.…”