The complexity of alternative splicing of hagoromo mRNAs is increased in an explosively speciated lineage in East African cichlids.

ABSTRACT: The adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes in the lakes of East Africa is a prime example of speciation. The choice of cichlid mates on the basis of a variety of coloration represents a potential basis for speciation that led to adaptive radiation. Here, we characterize the cichlid homolog of the zebrafish hagoromo (hag) gene that was recently cloned and characterized from a pigmentation mutant. Although only one hag mRNA was reported in zebrafish, cichlids express nine different hag mRNAs resulting from alternative splicing. The hag mRNAs are expressed between the myotome and the epidermis where pigment cells are located, suggesting the cichlid hag gene is involved in pigmentation. The hag mRNA splicing pattern does not fluctuate among individuals from each of two species, suggesting that a

SUBMITTER: Terai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC240698 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature