Abstract
BackgroundDescribing the patterns of gene expression during embryonic development has broadened our understanding of the processes and patterns that define morphogenesis. Yet gene expression patterns have not been described throughout vertebrate embryogenesis. This study presents statistical analyses of gene expression during all 40 developmental stages in the teleost Fundulus heteroclitus using four biological replicates per stage.ResultsPatterns of gene expression for 7,000 genes appear to be important as they recapitulate developmental timing. Among the 45% of genes with significant expression differences between pairs of temporally adjacent stages, significant differences in gene expression vary from as few as five to more than 660. Five adjacent stages have disproportionately more significant changes in gene expression (> 200 genes) relative to other stages: four to eight and eight to sixteen cell stages, onset of circulation, pre and post-hatch, and during complete yolk absorption. The fewest differences among adjacent stages occur during gastrulation. Yet, at stage 16, (pre-mid-gastrulation) the largest number of genes has peak expression. This stage has an over representation of genes in oxidative respiration and protein expression (ribosomes, translational genes and proteases). Unexpectedly, among all ribosomal genes, both strong positive and negative correlations occur. Similar correlated patterns of expression occur among all significant genes.ConclusionsThese data provide statistical support for the temporal dynamics of developmental gene expression during all stages of vertebrate development.
Highlights
Describing the patterns of gene expression during embryonic development has broadened our understanding of the processes and patterns that define morphogenesis
The patterns of gene expression recapitulate the series of developmental stages
Analyses of differences in gene expression between adjacent stages and onset of peak gene activity emphasize the importance of correctly identifying stages during embryogenesis
Summary
Describing the patterns of gene expression during embryonic development has broadened our understanding of the processes and patterns that define morphogenesis. Unlike developmental time alone, provide insights into cellular and molecular processes as simple as the eight-cell stage or as complex as the onset of circulation. Developmental processes are shared [4,5]; insights from fish inform human studies [4,5]. Unlike many other developmental models, F. heteroclitus has a ~14 day development that allows greater precision in defining specific stages than is possible in vertebrate species with short developmental times. This species has large population sizes, a well-described phylogeny, and locally adapted populations making it an exceptional model for environmental and evolutionary studies [6]
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