Background: Recently, the number of studies investigating the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying nervous system function in both normal and pathological states has increased significantly. Despite the identification of numerous proteins involved in neural metabolic processes, interest in key regulatory proteins continues to grow. In particular, annexin A2 (ANXA2), previously known for its role in cancer, is gaining attention for its potential role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted on Danio rerio of the AB line. Knockdown of the Anxa2a was achieved by microinjection of translation-blocking morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs). The control group was injected with a standard control MO. Phenotypic analysis was performed at 2 days post-fertilization (dpf). Knockdown efficiency was assessed by Western blotting. Relative mRNA levels of target genes (ahnak, egf, egfra, ptena, ptenb, gfap, psen1, psen2) were determined by real-time PCR. 
 
Result: Phenotypic analysis of the Mo-Anxa2a group across several experimental replicates revealed hydrocephalus (enlargement of the hindbrain ventricle, HBV), as well as eye and olfactory pit deformities. These effects were absent in the control group. Analysis of hydrocephalus severity in morphants identified two subgroups: those with severe and those with mild enlargement of the hindbrain ventricle. Western blotting confirmed a 2-fold reduction in Anxa2a protein levels without a change in its mRNA levels, confirming successful knockdown at the translational level. Furthermore, all groups with Anxa2a knockdown exhibited a statistically significant downregulation of ptena, ptenb, gfap, psen1 and psen2. Notably, in D. rerio with severe hydrocephalus, decreased expression of egf and egfra was also observed, suggesting the involvement of these genes in the pathogenesis of severe hydrocephalus.

Knockdown of Anxa2a Expression Causes Hydrocephalus in Danio rerio

<div style="text-align: justify;">Decades of documented successful pieces of evidence in agritech have shown us a clear picture of the importance of biotechnology in crop improvement. The production in agriculture should have steady growth and to achieve these objective conventional methods should go on parallel with biotechnological approaches. Genetic engineering which has revolutionized the path of crop improvement involves the identification and transfer of novel genes into the existing elite cultivars. Different methods of transferring the gene into plant cells have been developed and continuous efforts have been made to increase its efficiency. Both direct and indirect method of gene transfer has its own merits and demerits. Efforts have been made continuously to eliminate drawbacks and to develop an easy, elite and eco-friendly method to transfer genes. The transformation method which is a base of genetic engineering is vital and Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer and gene gun have shown to be doing well in recent years. As a whole the methodology involved, merits and demerits of different methods have been briefly discussed.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Genetic Transformation Methods for Crop Improvement- A Brief Review</div>

For a number of decades, attempts have been made to successfully produce transgenic animals which have numerous applications in the biotechnology industry with the foremost emphasis on production of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins of human welfare. Different techniques are adopted in order to produce transgenic farm animals which could be further used as bioreactors. The most common traditional transgenesis technique employed is Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) using genetically modified somatic cells or stem cells as nuclear donors. This review article summarizes the merits and demerits of the techniques currently used to produce transgenic livestock with major emphasis on somatic cell nuclear transfer. In the end, a brief discussion is done about the novel methods adopted to produce transgenic animals like Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFN), Transcription Activator-like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) and Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). It is expected that the new techniques developed would overcome the problems faced with existing traditional transgenesis methods.&nbsp;

Knockdown of Anxa2a Expression Causes Hydrocephalus in Danio rerio

Genetic Transformation Methods for Crop Improvement- A Brief Review

Transgenesis in farm animals-A review