Loss of Atoh8 Affects Neurocranial and Axial Skeleton Development in Zebrafish

Despite the very subtle phenotypic effect of our mutation, we were able to show involvement of <i>atoh8</i> in the skeletal development of zebrafish. We attribute the mild phenotype to a compensatory mechanism induced by nonsense-mediated degradation of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) as suggested in the recent literature. The effect of <i>atoh8</i>-disruption on zebrafish skeletal development suggests that the loss of <i>atoh8</i> cannot be compensated for at interfaces where more than one embryonic cell lineage contributes to bone and cartilage formation.