Cihox5, a new Ciona intestinalis Hox-related gene, is involved in regionalization of the spinal cord.
In this paper we report the cloning, sequence and expression analysis of a new Ciona intestinalis hox gene. On the basis of sequence comparison with mammalian and Amphioxus homologues, we called this gene Cihox5. Northern blot analysis reveals a single transcript of about 1.3 kb in length, that is present from neurula until larva stage. Whole-mount in situ hybridization shows restricted expression of this gene in putative blood cells precursors and in a regional domain of the spinal chord. Expression in the spinal cord is attributed to ependymal cells. This result implies a role for this gene in primitive regionalization of spinal cord along the anteroposterior axis in the absence of neuronal bodies.
Gionti
M
M
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Stazione Zoologica "Anton Dohrn", Villa Comunale, I-80121 Naples, Italy.
Ristoratore
F
F
Di Gregorio
A
A
Aniello
F
F
Branno
M
M
Di Lauro
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D017344:Genes, Insect; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013131:Spine / Q000196:embryology; D014157:Transcription Factors
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C111484:Hox 5 protein, Ciona intestinalis; D014157:Transcription Factors