The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Int. J. Dev. Biol. 56: 377 - 383 (2012)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.113416bu

Vol 56, Issue 5

Expression of Sox family genes in early lamprey development

Open Access | Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 15 June 2012

Benjamin R. Uy, Marcos Simoes-Costa, Tatjana Sauka-Spengler and Marianne E. Bronner*

Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

Abstract

Members of the Sox (Sry-related high mobility group box) family of transcription factors play a variety of roles during development of both vertebrates and invertebrates. A marked expansion in gene number occurred during the emergence of vertebrates, apparently via gene duplication events that are thought to have facilitated new functions. By screening a macroarrayed library as well as the lamprey genome, we have isolated genes of the Sox B, D, E and F subfamilies in the basal jawless vertebrate, lamprey. The expression patterns of all identified Sox genes were examined from gastrulation through early organogenesis (embryonic day 4-14), with particular emphasis on the neural crest, a vertebrate innovation. Coupled with phylogenetic analysis of these Sox genes, the results provide insight into gene duplication and di-vergence in paralog deployment occurring during early vertebrate evolution.

Keywords

Sox gene, lamprey, cyclostome, neural crest

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