Molecular markers to characterize the hermaphroditic reproductive system of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea exhibits two distinct reproductive modes. Individuals of the sexual strain are cross-fertilizing hermaphrodites with reproductive organs that develop post-embryonically. By contrast, individuals of the asexual strain reproduce exclusively by transverse fission and fail to develop reproductive organs. These different reproductive strains are associated with distinct karyotypes, making S. mediterranea a useful model for studying germline development and sexual differentiation.

Results

To identify genes expressed differentially between these strains, we performed microarray analyses and identified >800 genes that were upregulated in the sexual planarian. From these, we characterized 24 genes by fluorescent in situ hybri

SUBMITTER: Chong T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3224759 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature