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Sans protein, zebrafish biocrystals turn starry The protein expressed by a newly discovered gene called starmaker has profound effects on the formation of inorganic crystals vital for balance and hearing in zebrafish, scientists in Europe report. Known as otoliths, the crystals, composed largely of calcium carbonate, are located in the fish's inner ears. Starmaker is homologous to a human gene, a mutant form of which can cause deafness. When Theresa Nicolson, now at Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland, and her colleagues damped down the action of starmaker in live fish, the otoliths changed from smooth, round stones into elaborate, star-shaped crystals (shown). The fish then had trouble orienting themselves [Science, 302, 282 (2003)]. The work "represents the first example where a change in the crystal polymorph has been induced and tested for behavioral defects in live animals," writes Purdue University biology professor Donna M. Fekete in a Science commentary. |
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