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A Mox homeobox gene in the gastropod mollusc Haliotis rufescens is differentially expressed during larval morphogenesis and metamorphosis
Author(s) -
Degnan Bernard M.,
Degnan Sandie M.,
Fentenany Gabriel,
Morse Daniel E.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)00571-1
Subject(s) - homeobox , biology , metamorphosis , veliger , gene , morphogenesis , blastula , genetics , homeobox a1 , microbiology and biotechnology , larva , transcription factor , embryogenesis , ecology , gastrulation
We have isolated a homeobox‐containing cDNA from the gastropod mollusc Haliotis rufescens that is most similar to members of the Mox homeobox gene class. The derived Haliotis homeodomain sequence is 85% identical to mouse and frog Mox‐2 homeodomains and 88.9% identical to the partial cnidarian cnox5‐Hm homeodomain. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNA accumulation reveals that this gene, called HruMox , is expressed in the larva, but not in the early embryo. Transcripts are most prevalent during larval morphogenesis from trochophore to veliger. There are also transient increases in transcript prevalence 1 and 3 days after the intitiation of metamorphosis from veliger to juvenile. The identification of a molluscan Mox homeobox gene that is more closely related to vertebrate genes than other protostome (e.g. Drosophila ) genes suggests the Mox class of homeobox genes may consist of several different families that have been conserved through evolution.