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EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO LIGHT OR DARK AND VITAMIN D ON ACTIVATION OF MAP KINASE IN JUVENILE ZEBRAFISH**

Abstract

Higher latitudes and one’s relative exposure to sunlight have been correlated with a higher incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is thought that the level of vitamin D produced by the skin in response to sunlight may protect against this degenerative autoimmune disorder that targets the myelin sheath of nerves. Vitamin D has also been shown to activate the MAP kinase pathway (ERK1/2) and gene transcription by mechanisms not completely understood. In this study we allowed the development of zebrafish embryos for five days under a full-spectrum light source in the presence or absence of Vitamin D or in the absence of light with and without Vitamin D. We then assessed the activation of ERK1/2 by Western blotting using specific antibodies against the total and phosphorylated forms of ERK. Our preliminary experiments suggest that development in the dark increases the activation of ERK1 and ERK2 over that observed in embryos developed under light. At present, the effect of Vitamin D on ERK1/2 activation is unclear. In addition, a higher percentage of embryos were still in their chorions following five days of exposure to dark compared to those exposed to light.

Acknowledgements

YHC Undergraduate Research Initiative

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