title: Dynamic expression of a Hydra FGF at boundaries and termini.
abstract: Guidance of cells and tissue sheets is an essential function in developing and differentiating animal tissues. In Hydra, where cells and tissue move dynamically due to constant cell proliferation towards the termini or into lateral, vegetative buds, factors essential for guidance are still unknown. Good candidates to take over this function are fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). We present the phylogeny of several Hydra FGFs and analysis of their expression patterns. One of the FGFs is expressed in all terminal regions targeted by tissue movement and at boundaries crossed by moving tissue and cells with an expression pattern slightly differing in two Hydra strains. A model addressing an involvement of this FGF in cell movement and morphogenesis is proposed: Hydra FGFf-expressing cells might serve as sources to attract tissue and cells towards the termini of the body column and across morphological boundaries. Moreover, a function in morphogenesis and/or differentiation of cells and tissue is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology, Morphology and Evolution of Invertebrates, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, 35032, Marburg, Germany, ellen.lange@biologie.uni-marburg.de.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Holz
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rebscher
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006829:Hydra / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010802:Phylogeny; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors