21-P024 Ptf1a enforces an inhibitory fate upon glutamatergic lineages in the zebrafish retina

studying vertebrate development, since the embryo could be a favorable target for gene transfer by in ovo electroporation in addition to classical manipulative advantages. However, it is still difficult to deliver transgenes into specific tissues at later developmental period, because common transfection methods are transient. We show here efficient transfer of EGFP driven by the GFAP promoter/enhancer element into developing astrocytes using Tol2 transposition, which allows stable integration of transgenes into chick genome. Following transfected at early stages (E1.5–E3), EGFP positive cells were observed in various neural tissues during later developmental period in which astrocyte normally develops (E10–E21). Cells expressing EGFP were positive for GFAP but negative for neural markers, indicating those appeared to be astrocytes. The results suggest that Tol2 transposition could be a powerful tool to investigate the development of astrocytes in the chick.