RNA-seq of zebrafish ptk7 mutants with severe spinal curvature and heterozygous straight siblings

To identify molecular mechanisms underlying scoliosis spine curvature, we performed next generation RNA sequencing on ptk7 mutant vs. ptk7/+ sibling fish, at an age correlating with severe scoliosis progression (~1 cm length). Because the tissue of idiopathic scoliosis origin remains unknown, RNA-Seq was performed on bulk RNA samples collected from the entire trunk and tail (heads were removed at the level of the gill to eliminate signals associated with abnormal Ptk7 function in the brain).