Dynein axonemal assembly factors ( dnaaf ) 5 and 9 are expressed in ciliated organs of zebrafish embryos

Dynein axonemal assembly factors (DNAAFs) play crucial roles in the formation and function of motile cilia, and their dysfunction often results in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We report the spatio-temporal expression patterns of dnaaf5 and dnaaf9 mRNA in zebrafish embryos, providing insight into their possible functions during development. We show that dnaaf5 and dnaaf9 mRNAs are expressed in motile ciliated tissues, such as the Kupffer’s vesicle, pronephros, floor plate, brain and olfactory placode. The dnaaf5 and dnaaf9 crispants develop ciliopathic defects during zebrafish development. These data suggest that dnaaf5 and dnaaf9 may regulate motile cilia biogenesis and function in zebrafish. Our findings suggest functional redundancy and divergence among dynein arm assembly factors in vertebrates.