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Expression of the Otx gene in the ciliary bands during sea cucumber embryogenesis
Author(s) -
Shoguchi Eiichi,
Harada Yoshito,
Numakunai Takaharu,
Satoh Nori
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/1526-968x(200006)27:2<58::aid-gene20>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - chordate , biology , metamorphosis , auricularia , anatomy , embryogenesis , coelom , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , homeobox , larva , gene expression , nervous system , embryo , genetics , vertebrate , neuroscience , ecology , botany
Summary: The Otx gene encodes a homeodomain transcription factor that has a highly conserved role in brain formation of both flies and vertebrates. To deduce evolutionary relationship of the chordate central nervous system to the larval or adult nervous system of nonchordate deuterostomes, we characterized the expression of the Otx gene ( Sj ‐ Otx ) throughout the entire embryonic and larval development of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus . Sj ‐ Otx transcripts were detected in fertilized eggs and in the posterior part of the archenteron of gastrulae. However, the expression was downregulated as embryos developed into auricularia larvae. Sj ‐ Otx was expressed again in the ciliary bands of late auricularia larvae, just before metamorphosis to doliolaria larvae. The expression domain corresponded to the domains moving to the mouth during metamorphosis and sinking into the buccal cavity, but not to the five transverse ciliary bands of the doliolaria. The expression gradually disappeared during further development and was not detected in juveniles. These results indicate that the gene responsible for chordate brain formation is expressed in the ciliary bands of auricularia larvae. genesis 27:58–63, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.