Knockdown of Parhyale Ultrabithorax recapitulates evolutionary changes in crustacean appendage morphology.

ABSTRACT: Crustaceans possess remarkably diverse appendages, both between segments of a single individual as well as between species. Previous studies in a wide range of crustaceans have demonstrated a correlation between the anterior expression boundary of the homeotic (Hox) gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) and the location and number of specialized thoracic feeding appendages, called maxillipeds. Given that Hox genes regulate regional identity in organisms as diverse as mice and flies, these observations in crustaceans led to the hypothesis that Ubx expression regulates the number of maxillipeds and that evolutionary changes in Ubx expression have generated various aspects of crustacean appendage diversity. Specifically, evolutionary changes in the expression boundary of Ubx have resulted in crustacean sp

SUBMITTER: Liubicich DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2720850 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature