title: Morpholino-based gene knockdown screen of novel genes with developmental function in Ciona intestinalis.
abstract: In the present study, we conducted an extensive analysis to identify novel genes with developmental function among Ciona intestinalis genes discovered by cDNA projects. Translation of a total of 200 genes expressed during embryogenesis was suppressed by using specific morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. Suppression of the translation of any of 40 genes (one-fifth of the genes tested) was thereby shown to cause specific embryonic defects. Most of these genes have counterpart(s) in mouse and human, suggesting that the present approach will be useful for identifying candidate genes essential for the development of vertebrates. Suppression of translation of 14 of these 40 genes resulted in the 'disorganized body plan' phenotype characterized by gross morphological abnormalities caused by early defects in embryogenesis. These genes encode zinc-finger, transmembrane or Pbx homeodomain proteins. The morphological features of larvae of this phenotypic class varied according to the gene suppressed, suggesting that a distinct developmental event such as tissue specification or cell cycle progression was affected in each type of larva. Suppression of the remaining 26 genes resulted in the 'abnormal tail' phenotype. Some of these genes encode proteins with known functional structures such as Zn-finger and HLH motifs. Twelve genes among them are especially interesting, because their suppression produced defects in the nervous system, as demonstrated by the loss of the sensory pigment cells or palps of the adhesive organ in the knockdown larvae. These results suggest that screening for developmental genes by the reverse genetic approach in Ciona intestinalis embryos is effective for identifying novel genes with developmental functions required for the development of chordates.
authors: Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors: Lixy
authors: L
authors: Yamada
authors: Eiichi
authors: E
authors: Shoguchi
authors: Shuichi
authors: S
authors: Wada
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Yasuaki
authors: Y
authors: Mochizuki
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Satou
authors: Nori
authors: N
authors: Satoh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D009025:Morpholines; D012333:RNA, Messenger