NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Amphioxus and lamprey AP-2 genes: implications for neural crest evolution and migration patternsThe neural crest is a uniquely vertebrate cell type present in the most basal vertebrates, but not in cephalochordates. We have studied differences in regulation of the neural crest marker AP-2 across two evolutionary transitions: invertebrate to vertebrate, and agnathan to gnathostome. Isolation and comparison of amphioxus, lamprey and axolotl AP-2 reveals its extensive expansion in the vertebrate dorsal neural tube and pharyngeal arches, implying co-option of AP-2 genes by neural crest cells early in vertebrate evolution. Expression in non-neural ectoderm is a conserved feature in amphioxus and vertebrates, suggesting an ancient role for AP-2 genes in this tissue. There is also common expression in subsets of ventrolateral neurons in the anterior neural tube, consistent with a primitive role in brain development. Comparison of AP-2 expression in axolotl and lamprey suggests an elaboration of cranial neural crest patterning in gnathostomes. However, migration of AP-2-expressing neural crest cells medial to the pharyngeal arch mesoderm appears to be a primitive feature retained in all vertebrates. Because AP-2 has essential roles in cranial neural crest differentiation and proliferation, the co-option of AP-2 by neural crest cells in the vertebrate lineage was a potentially crucial event in vertebrate evolution.
Document ID
20040106250
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Meulemans, Daniel
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena 91125, United States)
Bronner-Fraser, Marianne
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Development (Cambridge, England)
Volume: 129
Issue: 21
ISSN: 0950-1991
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Evolutionary Biology
Non-NASA Center

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available