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Insights into the early evolution of SOX genes from expression analyses in a ctenophore
Author(s) -
Jager Muriel,
Quéinnec Eric,
Chiori Roxane,
Le Guyader Hervé,
Manuel Michaël
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of experimental zoology part b: molecular and developmental evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1552-5015
pISSN - 1552-5007
DOI - 10.1002/jez.b.21244
Subject(s) - biology , body plan , gene , somatic cell , stem cell , progenitor cell , transcription factor , cellular differentiation , gene family , genetics , cell fate determination , cell type , gene expression , evolutionary biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cell
SOX genes encode transcription factors acting in various developmental processes in bilaterian animals, such as stem cell maintenance and the control of specification and differentiation of cell types in a variety of contexts, notably in the developing nervous system. To gain insights into the early evolution of this important family of developmental regulators, we investigated the expression of one subgroup B, two subgroup E, one subgroup F and two divergent SOX genes in the cydippid larva and in the adult of the ctenophore Pleurobrachia pileus . Transcripts of the two unclassified SOX ( PpiSOX2/12 ) were detected in the female germ line and in various populations of putative somatic stem cells/undifferentiated progenitors. The remaining genes had spatially restricted expression patterns in ciliated epithelial cells, notably within neuro‐sensory territories. These data are compatible with an ancient involvement of SOX proteins in controlling aspects of stem cell maintenance, cellular differentiation and specification, notably within neuro‐sensory epithelia. In addition, the results highlight the complexity of the ctenophore anatomy and suggest that the SOX played an important role in the elaboration of the unique ctenophore body plan during evolution, through multiple gene co‐option. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:650–667, 2008 . © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.