Requirement of the Manx Gene for Expression of Chordate Features in a Tailless Ascidian Larva
Abstract
An evolutionary change in development was studied in two closely related ascidian species, one exhibiting a conventional tadpole larva and the other a modified tailless larva. Interspecific hybridization restores chordate features to the tailless larva. The zinc finger gene Manx is expressed in cells the generate chordates features in the tailed species by is down-regulated in the tailless species. Manx expression in hybrid embryos. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment inhibited Manx expression and chordate features in hybrid embryos, which suggests the Manx is required for development of the chordate larval phenotype in ascidians.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- November 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.274.5290.1205
- Bibcode:
- 1996Sci...274.1205S