Posterioization of Hoxaa cluster gene expression in Morone saxatilis / by Lisa Marie Sharek.
| Author/creator | Sharek, Lisa Marie author. |
| Other author | Scemama, Jean-Luc, degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2003. |
| Description | viii, 90 leaves, 17 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The Hox gene encodes transcription factors that play an integral role in the genetic control of the vertebrate body plan during embryogenesis and are responsible for regional specific tissue differentiation. They are arranged on clusters on separate chromosomes and divided into 13 paralogous group. Members of each paralogous group have extensive sequence similarity, and act specifically in their roles in pattern formation. The Hox gene organization reflect their expression in the developing embryo in a both spatially and temporally collinear manner, where the more 3' genes of the cluster are expressed more anteriorly and earlier in development, while the more 5' genes are expressed more posteriorly and later in development. We have analyzed the expression pattern of Hoxa4a, Hoxa5a, Hoxa7a, Hoxa9a and Hoxa10a in Morone saxatilis (striped bass) embryos, an acanthopterygian teleost from the order perciformes. We have shown that these genes are expressed in a collinear fashion spatially but not temporally. These genes are expressed in the central nervous system from an anterior limit at the level of somite 1 for Hoxa4a to somite 6 for Hoxa9a. Comparison of these expression patterns with the one observed for other vertebrates revealed a posteriorization of Hoxa4a, Hoxa5a and Hoxa9a expression in striped bass embryos. Surprisingly, Hoxa10a was not expressed in the central nervous system, but expression was seen in the pectoral fin bud at 83 hours post fertilization as well as in the first three branchial arches. Expression in the branchial arches for a 5' hox gene has never been described to date. We propose that the gain of expression observed for Hoxa10a is responsible for the posteriorization of the Hoxaa genes in striped bass embryos. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Jean-Luc Scemama |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2003 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-82). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
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