title: Genes specifically expressed in sexually differentiated female spheroids of Volvox carteri.
abstract: Volvox carteri is a multicellular green alga with only two cell types, somatic cells and reproductive cells. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this organism has evolved from a Chlamydomonas-like unicellular ancestor along with multicellularity, cellular differentiation, and a change in the mode of sexual reproduction from isogamy to oogamy. To examine the mechanism of sexual differentiation and the evolution of oogamy, we isolated 6 different cDNA sequences specifically expressed in sexually differentiated female spheroids. The genes for the cDNAs were designated SEF1 to SEF6. The time course of accumulation of each mRNA was shown to be distinct. The expression of some of these genes was not significantly affected when the sexual inducer was removed after the induction of sexual development. Sequence analysis indicates that SEF5 and SEF6 encode pherophorin-related proteins. Of these, SEF5 has the unique structural feature of a polyproline stretch in the C-terminal domain in addition to the one found in the central region.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aono
authors.forename: Tan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D044446:Volvox / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger