About this Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article

Insights into the early evolution of SOX genes from expression analyses in a ctenophore by Muriel Jager; Eric Quéinnec; Roxane Chiori; Hervé Le Guyader; Michaël Manuel is a Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article available to read on EtoBox.

## Abstract __SOX__ genes encode transcription factors acting in various developmental processes in bilaterian animals, such as stem cell maintenance and the control of specification and differentiation of cell types in a variety of contexts, notably in the developing nervous system. To gain insights into the early evolution of this important family of developmental regulators, we investigated the expression of one subgroup B, two subgroup E, one subgroup F and two divergent __SOX__ genes in the cydippid larva and in the adult of the ctenophore __Pleurobrachia pileus__. Transcripts of the two unclassified __SOX__ (__PpiSOX2/12__) were detected in the female germ line and in various populations of putative somatic stem cells/undifferentiated progenitors. The remaining genes had spatially restricted expression patterns in ciliated epithelial cells, notably within neuro‐sensory territories. These data are compatible with an ancient involvement of SOX proteins in controlling aspects of stem cell maintenance, cellular differentiation and specification, notably within neuro‐sensory epithelia. In addition, the results highlight the complexity of the ctenophore anatomy and suggest that the

Author

Muriel Jager; Eric Quéinnec; Roxane Chiori; Hervé Le Guyader; Michaël Manuel

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (John Wiley & Sons); John Wiley & Sons Ltd.; Wiley (ISSN 1552-5007)

Published

2008

Language

EN

Field

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)