Novel G-protein-coupled receptor gene expressed specifically in the entire neural tube of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis.
We have cloned a newly identified gene, designated CiNut, C iona i ntestinalis neural-tube-specific gene. CiNut shows weak similarity to known neural receptors such as adrenergic receptors. Moreover, seven transmembrane domains are predicted based on its amino acid sequence. Zygotic expression of CiNut starts at the gastrula stage, and is restricted to the entire neural tube in the neurula- and the tailbud-stage embryos. CiNut is thus thought to be a novel G-protein-coupled receptor important for neural tube formation, and should provide a useful tool for the analysis of the molecular mechanism of neural tube formation.
Etani
Kazuma
K
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe 658-8501, Japan.
Nishikata
Takahito
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005775:Gastrula / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface