ABSTRACT
Genes of the Sox family encode evolutionarily conserved HMG box containing transcription factors, which play key roles in various events of cell determination/differentiation during development. The total number of Sox genes in Drosophila melanogaster was estimated to be eight, after classical molecular cloning approaches and exhaustive screening of the complete Drosophila genome. Here we report the embryonic and larval expression pattern of four previously uncharacterized Sox genes, through antibody staining and in situ hybridization experiments.
Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Genome , Transcription Factors/genetics , Animals , Cloning, Molecular , DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Databases as Topic , Drosophila Proteins/biosynthesis , High Mobility Group Proteins/biosynthesis , In Situ Hybridization , Multigene Family , Open Reading Frames , SOX Transcription Factors , Time Factors , Tissue Distribution , Transcription Factors/biosynthesisABSTRACT
We describe the identification and detailed expression pattern of a second Drosophila Sox gene, SoxNeuro (SoxN), highly related to mammalian group B Sox1, 2, 3 genes. SoxN is expressed in a highly dynamic pattern during embyogenesis, being associated with the development of the central nervous system (CNS), from the early steps onwards. We present strong evidence that the early SoxN neuroectoderm expression is controlled by the zygotic dorso-ventral patterning genes (dpp, sog, brk, twi).
Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins , Drosophila/embryology , High Mobility Group Proteins/genetics , Insect Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary , Drosophila/genetics , Gene Expression , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , SOX Transcription FactorsABSTRACT
We have identified a novel Sox gene in zebrafish (Danio rerio), Sox31, closely related to mammalian group B Sox genes. The gene is maternally expressed. Zygotic transcription starts at gastrulation, in the presumptive neuroectoderm. Later, expression is restricted to the developing central nervous system, including forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord.
Subject(s)
Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , High Mobility Group Proteins/biosynthesis , High Mobility Group Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/biosynthesis , Transcription Factors/genetics , Zebrafish Proteins , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Central Nervous System/embryology , Ectoderm/metabolism , Female , Gastrula/metabolism , In Situ Hybridization , Mesencephalon/embryology , Molecular Sequence Data , Mothers , Prosencephalon/embryology , Rhombencephalon/embryology , SOX Transcription Factors , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Spinal Cord/embryology , Time Factors , ZebrafishABSTRACT
SOX proteins contain a conserved HMG-related DNA-binding domain. They fulfill essential functions during the development of animals. Mutations in several SOX genes have been implicated in human diseases. We present here a new set of PCR primers designed to amplify a broad range of SOX HMG-box sequences. These primers facilitated the cloning of several new SOX HMG boxes from human genomic DNA, revealing unexpected complexity of the SOX gene family.