Left: Schematic views of the early zebrafish forebrain showing the
anlage of the
adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary). The adenohypophysis arises
as a placode at
the anterior edge of the nervous system between 15 and 20 hours post
fertilization.
By 20 hpf, the two sub-regions of the placode, the Pars Disatalis (PD)
and Pars
Intermedia (PI), are distinct (See Guner et al, 2008).
Right: the Hh-regulated genes nkx2.2
(blue) and pax7 (red) mark
the PD and PI in this
36 hour embryo. Lateral view of the brain, eyes removed.
Click to learn how our lab is investigating Hh/Gli signaling in pituitary development.