The antigenic pattern of the developing brain of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio

Abstract

AbstractDevelopmental stages, from eight cells to 28 days post‐hatching, of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, were analysed by immunoelectrophoresis with unabsorbed and absorbed rabbit antiserum to adult zebrafish brain. From the earliest embryonic stage to the oldest post‐hatching stage tested, a developing antigenic pattern was recognizable. Six antigens, found to be consistently present in all stages, exhibited no observable variation in electrophoretic mobility or diffusion rates. Of four other antigens present in the earliest stage analysed, one appeared intermittently throughout subsequent developmental stages. Three antigens appeared consistently, but showed variations in electrophoretic mobility at different stages. Fourteen ‐antigens, two of which were transitory, appeared during development, adding to the complexity of the antigenic pattern. Including all stable and variant forms of antigens, a total of 30 antigens was detected from the earliest embryonic stage to the oldest post‐hatching stage tested.