Chapter 3 Haploid Screens and Gamma-Ray Mutagenesis

Abstract

Publisher Summary A number of largescale mutagenesis screens have been conducted to identify developmental mutations in zebrafish. In addition, smaller screens are ongoing in many other laboratories. Regardless of which type of mutagen is used, it is important to screen as efficiently as possible in terms of time, space, and the number of fish used. This chapter describes the use of haploids to screen for early developmental mutations in mutagenized zebrafish, with an emphasis on the use of gamma-rays as a mutagen. Screening haploids allow rapid identification of mutation-bearing females in a parental P or an F1 screen, avoiding the necessity of raising several generations of fish stocks prior to screening. Gynogenetic haploid embryos are produced when eggs are fertilized by UV-irradiated sperm, the resulting haploid embryos develop solely from maternal genetic information. Although the UV-irradiated sperm provides no male genetic contribution to the embryo, they are necessary to activate embryonic development.