Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published November 1, 2000 | Published
Journal Article Open

Spatial expression of Hox cluster genes in the ontogeny of a sea urchin

Abstract

The Hox cluster of the sea urchin Strongylocentrous purpuratus contains ten genes in a 500 kb span of the genome. Only two of these genes are expressed during embryogenesis, while all of eight genes tested are expressed during development of the adult body plan in the larval stage. We report the spatial expression during larval development of the five 'posterior' genes of the cluster: SpHox7, SpHox8, SpHox9/10, SpHox11/13a and SpHox11/13b. The five genes exhibit a dynamic, largely mesodermal program of expression. Only SpHox7 displays extensive expression within the pentameral rudiment itself. A spatially sequential and colinear arrangement of expression domains is found in the somatocoels, the paired posterior mesodermal structures that will become the adult perivisceral coeloms. No such sequential expression pattern is observed in endodermal, epidermal or neural tissues of either the larva or the presumptive juvenile sea urchin. The spatial expression patterns of the Hox genes illuminate the evolutionary process by which the pentameral echinoderm body plan emerged from a bilateral ancestor.

Additional Information

Copyright © 2000 by Company of Biologists. Accepted 17 August; published on WWW 9 October 2000. We thank Dr Kevin Peterson for his extremely helpful review. This work was supported by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research; the National Science Foundation, Developmental Mechanism Program, Grant No. IBN-9604454; and the Fundamental Biology Research Program of the Life Sciences Division of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Ames Grant NAG2-1368.

Attached Files

Published - AREdev00.pdf

Files

AREdev00.pdf
Files (1.2 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:eed0742314354ea829a765c9105a6344
1.2 MB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 17, 2023