Genomic organization of Hox and ParaHox clusters in the echinoderm, Acanthaster planci.
The organization of echinoderm Hox clusters is of interest due to the role that Hox genes play in deuterostome development and body plan organization, and the unique gene order of the Hox complex in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, which has been linked to the unique development of the axial region. Here, it has been reported that the Hox and ParaHox clusters of Acanthaster planci, a corallivorous starfish found in the Pacific and Indian oceans, generally resembles the chordate and hemichordate clusters. The A. planci Hox cluster shared with sea urchins the loss of one of the medial Hox genes, even-skipped (Evx) at the anterior of the cluster, as well as organization of the posterior Hox genes.
Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
Kenneth W
KW
Baughman
Carmel
C
McDougall
Scott F
SF
Cummins
Mike
M
Hall
Bernard M
BM
Degnan
Nori
N
Satoh
Eiichi
E
Shoguchi
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D013215:Starfish / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
Acanthaster planci; Hox cluster; ParaHox cluster; echinoderm development; starfish genome