Coordinated spatial and temporal expression of Hox genes during embryogenesis in the acoel Convolutriloba longifissura.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hox genes are critical for patterning the bilaterian anterior-posterior axis. The evolution of their clustered genomic arrangement and ancestral function has been debated since their discovery. As acoels appear to represent the sister group to the remaining Bilateria (Nephrozoa), investigating Hox gene expression will provide an insight into the ancestral features of the Hox genes in metazoan evolution.

Results

We describe the expression of anterior, central and posterior class Hox genes and the ParaHox ortholog Cdx in the acoel Convolutriloba longifissura. Expression of all three Hox genes begins contemporaneously after gastrulation and then resolves into staggered domains along the anterior-posterior axis, suggesting that the spatial coordination of Hox gene exp

SUBMITTER: Hejnol A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2761877 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature