Abstract
Novel territory-specific markers from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus have been identified using screens for genes that are differentially expressed in lithium-treated embryos, which form an excess of endomesoderm, and in zinc-treated embryos, in which endomesoderm specification is blocked.
Highlights
The genome of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has recently been sequenced because it is a major model system for the study of gene regulatory networks
We found that endomesoderm-specific genes, which are central components of the endomesoderm gene regulatory networks (GRNs), are all upregulated with the exception of eve, which we found not to be significantly regulated
Because lithium treatment is thought to activate wingless int (Wnt) signaling by stabilizing β-catenin, we investigated the expression of Wnt genes in treated embryos
Summary
The genome of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has recently been sequenced because it is a major model system for the study of gene regulatory networks. Body plan development is controlled by large gene regulatory networks (GRNs). One of the best studied developmental GRNs is the sea urchin endomesoderm GRN, which includes almost 50 genes [1,2]. These genes were uncovered in part through three array screens: a subtractive screen, in which RNA from lithiumtreated embryos was subtracted with RNA isolated from cadherin injected embryos [3]; a Brachyury target gene screen [4]; and a screen for pigment cell-specific genes [5]. Orthologs of some of these genes are components of the sea urchin endomesoderm GRN.
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