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Mutation studies in ascidians: A review
Author(s) -
Crocetta Fabio,
Marino Rita,
Cirino Paola,
Macina Alberto,
Staiano Leopoldo,
Esposito Rosaria,
Pezzotti Maria Rosa,
Racioppi Claudia,
Toscano Francesco,
Felice Elena,
Locascio Annamaria,
Ristoratore Filomena,
Spagnuolo Antonietta,
Zanetti Laura,
Branno Margherita,
Sordino Paolo
Publication year - 2015
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/dvg.22837
Subject(s) - ciona intestinalis , biology , tunicate , mutation , evolutionary biology , genetics , genetic variation , phenotype , gene , ciona , cloning (programming) , computational biology , ecology , computer science , programming language
Summary Historically, mutations have had a significant impact on the study of developmental processes and phenotypic evolution. Lesions in DNA are created by artificial methods or detected by natural genetic variation. Random mutations are then ascribed to genetic change by direct sequencing or positional cloning. Tunicate species of the ascidian genus Ciona represent nearly fully realized model systems in which gene function can be investigated in depth. Additionally, tunicates are valuable organisms for the study of naturally occurring mutations due to the capability to exploit genetic variation down to the molecular level. Here, we summarize the available information about how mutations are studied in ascidians with examples of insights that have resulted from these applications. We also describe notions and methodologies that might be useful for the implementation of easy and tight procedures for mutations studies in Ciona . genesis 53:160–169, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.