A perturbation model of the gene regulatory network for oral and aboral ectoderm specification in the sea urchin embryo.

ABSTRACT: The current gene regulatory network (GRN) for the sea urchin embryo pertains to pregastrular specification functions in the endomesodermal territories. Here we extend gene regulatory network analysis to the adjacent oral and aboral ectoderm territories over the same period. A large fraction of the regulatory genes predicted by the sea urchin genome project and shown in ancillary studies to be expressed in either oral or aboral ectoderm by 24 h are included, though universally expressed and pan-ectodermal regulatory genes are in general not. The loci of expression of these genes have been determined by whole mount in situ hybridization. We have carried out a global perturbation analysis in which expression of each gene was interrupted by introduction of morpholino antisense oligonucleotide,

SUBMITTER: Su YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2677136 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature