Identification of starmaker-like in medaka as a putative target gene of Pax2 in the otic vesicle.
Otoliths in bony fishes are involved in the function of the ear in the senses of balance and hearing. In a large-scale random in situ hybridization screen of genes expressed in the medaka developing ear, we identified starmaker-like (stm-l) gene, a novel homologue of zebrafish starmaker and human dentine sialo-phosphoprotein (dspp) gene. Despite the absence of sequence similarity between these genes, here we describe their similar genomic structure and expression patterns hinting for a conserved function. In medaka fry, stm-l is expressed in various organs such as otoliths, teeth, gills, and kidney. Additionally, our results provide evidence that stm-l is a putative downstream target gene of Pax2 transcription factor and Pax2 itself has a promoting function in otolith formation.
Bajoghli
Baubak
B
Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology, Freiburg, Germany.
Ramialison
Mirana
M
Aghaallaei
Narges
N
Czerny
Thomas
T
Wittbrodt
Joachim
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009990:Oryzias / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D029941:Fish Proteins; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor