Redeployment of odontode gene regulatory network underlies dermal denticle formation and evolution in suckermouth armored catfish.

ABSTRACT: Odontodes, i.e., teeth and tooth-like structures, consist of a pulp cavity and dentin covered by a mineralized cap. These structures first appeared on the outer surface of vertebrate ancestors and were repeatedly lost and gained across vertebrate clades; yet, the underlying genetic mechanisms and trajectories of this recurrent evolution remain long-standing mysteries. Here, we established suckermouth armored catfish (Ancistrus sp.; Loricariidae), which have reacquired dermal odontodes (dermal denticles) all over most of their body surface, as an experimental model animal amenable to genetic manipulation for studying odontode development. Our histological analysis showed that suckermouth armored catfish develop dermal denticles through the previously defined odontode developmental stages. D

SUBMITTER: Mori S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9007992 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature