Par6 regulates skeletogenesis and gut differentiation in sea urchin larvae.
Partitioning-defective (par) genes were originally identified as genes that are essential for the asymmetric division of the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote. Studies have since revealed that the gene products are part of an evolutionarily conserved PAR-atypical protein kinase C system involved in cell polarity in various biological contexts. In this study, we analyzed the function of par6 during sea urchin morphogenesis by morpholino-mediated knockdown and by manipulation swapping of the primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs). Loss of Par6 resulted in defects in skeletogenesis and gut differentiation in larvae. Phenotypic analyses of chimeras constructed by PMC swapping showed that Par6 in non-PMCs is required for differentiation of archenteron into functional gut. In contrast, Par6 in both PMCs and ectodermal cells cooperatively regulates skeletogenesis. We suggest that Par6 in PMCs plays an immediate role in the deposition of biomineral in the syncytial cable, whereas Par6 in ectoderm may stabilize skeletal rods via an unknown signal(s).
Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
Kosuke
K
Shiomi
Atsuko
A
Yamazaki
Mitsuyoshi
M
Kagawa
Masato
M
Kiyomoto
Masaaki
M
Yamaguchi
D000818:Animals; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D004527:Egg Proteins