Cloning of ascidian homeobox genes provides evidence for a primordial chordate cluster.
In order to isolate genes important in controlling embryonic development in Tunicates, a genomic library from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis was screened with a degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotide encoding the third helix of Antennapedia-type homeoboxes. Fourteen C. intestinalis homeobox genes, corresponding to several classes of homeodomains, have been identified. Five of the isolated homeoboxes show their highest homology to members of the Vertebrate HOX clusters. mRNAs for two of the isolated homeoboxes are present in unfertilized C. intestinalis eggs.
Di Gregorio
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A
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
Spagnuolo
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A
Ristoratore
F
F
Pischetola
M
M
Aniello
F
F
Branno
M
M
Cariello
L
L
Di Lauro
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D015698:Genomic Library; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014157:Transcription Factors
D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors