Asymmetric distribution of pl10 and bruno2, new members of a conserved core of early germline determinants in cephalochordates
Abstract
Molecular fingerprinting of conserved germline and somatic ¨stemness¨ markers in different taxa have been key in defining the mechanism of germline specification ("preformation" or "epigenesis"), as well as expression domains of somatic progenitors. The distribution of molecular markers for primordial germ cells (PGCs), including vasa, nanos and piwil1, as well as Vasa antibody staining, support a determinative mechanism of germline specification in the cephalochordate Branchiostoma lanceolatum, similarly to other amphioxus species. pl10 and bruno2, but not bruno4/6, are also expressed in a pattern consistent with these other germline genes, adding to our repertoire of PGC markers in lancelets. Expression of nanos, vasa and the remaining markers (musashi, pufA, pufB, pumilio and piwil2) may define populations of putative somatic progenitors in the tailbud, the amphioxus posterior growth zone, or zones of proliferative activity. Finally, we also identify a novel expression domain for musashi, a classic neural stem cell marker, during notochord development in amphioxus. These results are discussed in the context of germline determination in other taxa, stem cell regulation and regenerative capacity in adult amphioxus.
Citation
Dailey , S C , Planas , R F , Espier , A R , Garcia-Fernandez , J & Somorjai , I M L 2016 , ' Asymmetric distribution of pl10 and bruno2 , new members of a conserved core of early germline determinants in cephalochordates ' , Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution , vol. 3 , 156 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2015.00156
Publication
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2296-701XType
Journal article
Description
SD is funded through a MASTS PhD studentship (St Andrews, UK). IMLS gratefully acknowledges previous funding from Marie Curie IEF postdoctoral fellowship, FP7 People Programme (Barcelona, Spain); as well as MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland) laboratory start-up funds (St Andrews, UK).Collections
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