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Nori Satoh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Transposon-mediated targeted and specific knockdown of maternally expressed transcripts in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis
    Scientific reports, 2014
    Co-Authors: Takako Iitsuka, Kaoru Mita, Nori Satoh, Akiko Hozumi, Mayuko Hamada, Yasunori Sasakura
    Abstract:

    Maternal mRNAs play crucial roles during early embryogenesis of ascidians, but their functions are largely unknown. In this study, we developed a new method to specifically knockdown maternal mRNAs in Ciona Intestinalis using transposon-mediated transgenesis. We found that GFP expression is epigenetically silenced in Ciona Intestinalis oocytes and eggs, and this epigenetic silencing of GFP was used to develop the knockdown method. When the 5′ upstream promoter and 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of a maternal gene are used to drive GFP in eggs, the maternal gene is specifically knocked down together with GFP. The 5′ UTR of the maternal gene is the major element that determines the target gene silencing. Zygotic transcription of the target gene is unaffected, suggesting that the observed phenotypes specifically reflect the maternal function of the gene. This new method can provide breakthroughs in studying the functions of maternal mRNAs.

  • A genomic overview of short genetic variations in a basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis
    BMC genomics, 2012
    Co-Authors: Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh, Tadasu Shin-i, Yuji Kohara, Shota Chiba
    Abstract:

    Background Although the Ciona Intestinalis genome contains many allelic polymorphisms, there is only limited data analyzed systematically. Establishing a dense map of genetic variations in C. Intestinalis is necessary not only for linkage analysis, but also for other experimental biology including molecular developmental and evolutionary studies, because animals from natural populations are typically used for experiments.

  • SL RNA Genes of the Ascidian Tunicates Ciona Intestinalis and Ciona savignyi
    Zoological Science, 2010
    Co-Authors: Brendan Yeats, Sandra I. Mortimer, Eiichi Shoguchi, Jun Matsumoto, Nori Satoh, Kenneth E.m. Hastings
    Abstract:

    We characterized by bioinformatics the trans-spliced leader donor RNA (SL RNA) genes of two ascidians, Ciona Intestinalis and Ciona savignyi. The Ciona Intestinalis genome contains ∼670 copies of the SL RNA gene, principally on a 264-bp tandemly repeated element. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization mapped most of the repeats to a single site on the short arm of chromosome 8. The Ciona Intestinalis genome also contains ∼100 copies of a >3.6-kb element that carries 1) an SL RNA-related sequence (possible a pseudogene) and 2) genes for the U6 snRNA and a histone-like protein. The Ciona savignyi genome contains two SL RNA gene classes having the same SL sequence as Ciona Intestinalis but differing in the intron-like segments. These reside in similar but distinct repeat units of 575 bp (∼410 copies) and 552 bp (∼250 copies) that are arranged as separate tandem repeats. In neither Ciona species is the 5S RNA gene present within the SL RNA gene repeat unit. Although the number of SL RNA genes is similar, there is little sequence similarity between the Intestinalis and savignyi repeat units, apart from the region encoding the SL RNA itself. This suggests that cis-regulatory elements involved in transcription and 3′-end processing are likely to be present within the transcribed region. The genomes of both Ciona species also include > 100 dispersed short elements containing the 16-nt SL sequence and up to 6 additional nucleotides of the SL RNA sequence.

  • Ciona Intestinalis and Oxycomanthus japonicus, representatives of marine invertebrates.
    Experimental Animals, 2009
    Co-Authors: Yasunori Sasakura, Mariko Kondo, Kazuo Inaba, Nori Satoh, Koji Akasaka
    Abstract:

    The study of marine invertebrates is useful in various biological research fields. However, genetic analyses of these animals are limited, mainly due to difficulties in culturing them, and the genetic resources of marine invertebrates have not been organized. Recently, advances have been made in the study of two deuterostomes, an ascidian Ciona Intestinalis and a feather star Oxycomanthus japonicus. The draft genome sequence of Ciona Intestinalis has been determined, and its compact genome, which has less redundancy of genes compared with vertebrates, provides us with a useful experimental system for analyzing the functions of genes during development. The life cycle of Ciona Intestinalis is approximately 2-3 months, and the genetic techniques including a perfect inland culture system, germline transformation with a transposon Minos, enhancer detection and insertional mutagenesis, have been established. The feather star Oxycomanthus japonicus conserves the characteristics of the basic echinoderm body plan with a segmented mesoderm, which is a fascinating characteristic for understanding the evolution of echinoderms. Oxycomanthus japonicus shows strong regeneration ability and is a suitable subject for analysis of the mechanisms of regeneration. In consideration of these features, the National BioResource Project (NBRP) has started to support the supply of wild-types, transgenic lines and inbred lines of Ciona Intestinalis and Oxycomanthus japonicus.

  • delineating metamorphic pathways in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis
    Developmental Biology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Akie Nakayamaishimura, Yasunori Sasakura, Nori Satoh, Jeanphillippe Chambon, Takeo Horie
    Abstract:

    Abstract In most ascidians, metamorphosis of tadpole-like swimming larvae is accompanied by dynamic changes in their shape to form sessile adults. The mechanisms underlying ascidian metamorphosis have been debated for a long time. Although recent molecular studies have revealed the presence of various molecules involving in this process, the basic mechanism of the metamorphic events is still unclear. For example, it has not been solved whether all metamorphic events are organized by the same single pathway or by multiple, independent pathways. In the present study, we approached this question using the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis. When the papillae and preoral lobes of the larvae were cut off, the papillae-cut larvae initiated certain trunk metamorphic events such as the formation of an ampulla, body axis rotation and adult organ growth without other metamorphic events. This observation indicates that metamorphic events can be divided into at least two groups, events initiated in the papillae-cut larva and events not initiated in this larva. In addition to this observation, we have isolated a novel mutant, tail regression failed (trf), which shows similar phenotypes to those of papillae-cut larvae. The phenotypes of trf mutants are basically different from those of swimming juvenile mutants (Sasakura, Y., Nakashima, K., Awazu, S., Matsuoka, T., Nakayama, A., Azuma, J., Satoh, N., 2005. Transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis revealed the functions of animal cellulose synthase in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102, 15134–15139.), which also show abnormal metamorphosis. These findings suggest a model by which ascidian metamorphic events can be classified into four groups initiated by different pathways.

Yutaka Satou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A genomic overview of short genetic variations in a basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis
    BMC genomics, 2012
    Co-Authors: Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh, Tadasu Shin-i, Yuji Kohara, Shota Chiba
    Abstract:

    Background Although the Ciona Intestinalis genome contains many allelic polymorphisms, there is only limited data analyzed systematically. Establishing a dense map of genetic variations in C. Intestinalis is necessary not only for linkage analysis, but also for other experimental biology including molecular developmental and evolutionary studies, because animals from natural populations are typically used for experiments.

  • an integrated database of the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis towards functional genomics
    Zoological Science, 2005
    Co-Authors: Yutaka Satou, Eiichi Shoguchi, Takeshi Kawashima, Akie Nakayama, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Abstract An integrated genome database is essential for future studies of functional genomics. In this study, we update cDNA and genomic resources of the ascidian, Ciona Intestinalis, and provide an integrated database of the genomic and cDNA data by extending a database published previously. The updated resources include over 190,000 ESTs (672,396 in total together with the previous ESTs) and over 1,000 full-insert sequences (6,773 in total). In addition, results of mapping information of the determined scaffolds onto chromosomes, ESTs from a full-length enriched cDNA library for indication of precise 5′-ends of genes, and comparisons of SNPs and indels among different individuals are integrated into this database, all of these results being reported recently. These advances continue to increase the utility of Ciona Intestinalis as a model organism whilst the integrated database will be useful for researchers in comparative and evolutionary genomics.

  • Construction of a cDNA microarray derived from the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis.
    Zoological Science, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kaoru Azumi, Yasufumi Miki, Manabu Fujie, Hisayoshi Ishikawa, Atsusi Kitayama, Takeshi Usami, Yutaka Satou, Hiroki Takahashi, Naoto Ueno, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Abstract A cDNA microarray was constructed from a basal chordate, the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis. The draft genome of Ciona has been read and inferred to contain ∼16,000 protein-coding genes, and cDNAs for transcripts of 13,464 genes have been characterized and compiled as the “Ciona Intestinalis Gene Collection Release I”. In the present study, we constructed a cDNA microarray of these 13,464 Ciona genes. A preliminary experiment with Cy3- and Cy5-labeled probes showed extensive differential gene expression between fertilized eggs and larvae. In addition, there was a good correlation between results obtained by the present microarray analysis and those from previous EST analyses. This first microarray of a large collection of Ciona Intestinalis cDNA clones should facilitate the analysis of global gene expression and gene networks during the embryogenesis of basal chordates.

  • Expression of FoxE and FoxQ genes in the endostyle of Ciona Intestinalis
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Michio Ogasawara, Yutaka Satou
    Abstract:

    We have analyzed the expression patterns of two Fox genes, FoxE and FoxQ , in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis . Expression of Ci-FoxE was specific to the endostyle of adults, being prominent in the thyroid-equivalent region of zone 7. Ci-FoxQ was expressed in several endodermal organs of adult ascidians, such as the endostyle, branchial sac and esophagus. In the endostyle, the pattern of Ci-FoxQ expression was similar to that of CiTTF-1 , being prominent in the thyroid-equivalent regions of zones 7 and 8. Therefore, these Fox genes may perform thyroid-equivalent functions in the ascidian endostyle.

  • Ciona Intestinalis an emerging model for whole genome analyses
    Trends in Genetics, 2003
    Co-Authors: Nori Satoh, Brad Davidson, Yutaka Satou, Michael S Levine
    Abstract:

    Abstract The tadpole larvae of the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis possess the most simplified chordate body plan. Analysis of the Ciona draft genome indicates that the ∼153–159Mb genome contains ∼16 000 protein-coding genes. Among these is a fundamental set of conserved chordate proteins involved in cell signaling and development. A thorough examination of Ciona gene expression (the transcriptome) is ongoing, including large-scale expressed sequence tag analyses, cDNA sequencing and in situ hybridization screens. Together with recent advances in the methodology used to investigate gene regulation and function, these make Ciona an attractive experimental system for genome level analysis of chordate developmental genetics.

Kyosuke Hino - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell–cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis , was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis . The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFβ family member genes, five TGFβ-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • a genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis vi genes for wnt tgfβ hedgehog and jak stat signaling pathways
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    : Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • A genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis. VI. Genes for Wnt, TGFbeta, Hedgehog and JAK/STAT signaling pathways.
    Development genes and evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • a genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis vi genes for wnt tgfbeta hedgehog and jak stat signaling pathways
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

Yasunori Sasakura - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Genome Editing of the Ascidian Ciona Intestinalis with TALE Nuclease
    Methods of Molecular Biology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Yasunori Sasakura, Keita Yoshida, Nicholas Treen
    Abstract:

    : The ascidian Ciona Intestinalis is an important model animal for studying developmental mechanisms for constructing the chordate body. Although molecular and embryological techniques for manipulating Ciona genes were developed a long time ago, recent achievements of genome editing in this animal have innovated functional analyses of genes in Ciona. Particularly, knockout of genes in the G0 generation coupled with tissue-specific expression of TALENs enables us to rapidly address gene functions that were difficult using previous methods.

  • Transposon-mediated targeted and specific knockdown of maternally expressed transcripts in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis
    Scientific reports, 2014
    Co-Authors: Takako Iitsuka, Kaoru Mita, Nori Satoh, Akiko Hozumi, Mayuko Hamada, Yasunori Sasakura
    Abstract:

    Maternal mRNAs play crucial roles during early embryogenesis of ascidians, but their functions are largely unknown. In this study, we developed a new method to specifically knockdown maternal mRNAs in Ciona Intestinalis using transposon-mediated transgenesis. We found that GFP expression is epigenetically silenced in Ciona Intestinalis oocytes and eggs, and this epigenetic silencing of GFP was used to develop the knockdown method. When the 5′ upstream promoter and 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of a maternal gene are used to drive GFP in eggs, the maternal gene is specifically knocked down together with GFP. The 5′ UTR of the maternal gene is the major element that determines the target gene silencing. Zygotic transcription of the target gene is unaffected, suggesting that the observed phenotypes specifically reflect the maternal function of the gene. This new method can provide breakthroughs in studying the functions of maternal mRNAs.

  • Germline Transformation in the Ascidian Ciona Intestinalis
    Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants, 2014
    Co-Authors: Yasunori Sasakura
    Abstract:

    Genetic technologies are necessary for understanding the molecular mechanisms of wide-ranging biological phenomena. However, genetic approaches are limited in the so-called model organisms. For example, genetics are not available in most marine invertebrates. Ciona Intestinalis is a marine invertebrate chordate that provides excellent systems for studying allorecognition. We have established germline transformation with transposable elements, enhancer detection, and mutagenesis with transposons and customized nucleases. These genetic technologies are invaluable tools for uncovering the genetic functions underlying fertilization and allorecognition in this ascidian. In this chapter, achievements in the genetics of C. Intestinalis are discussed.

  • Ciona Intestinalis and Oxycomanthus japonicus, representatives of marine invertebrates.
    Experimental Animals, 2009
    Co-Authors: Yasunori Sasakura, Mariko Kondo, Kazuo Inaba, Nori Satoh, Koji Akasaka
    Abstract:

    The study of marine invertebrates is useful in various biological research fields. However, genetic analyses of these animals are limited, mainly due to difficulties in culturing them, and the genetic resources of marine invertebrates have not been organized. Recently, advances have been made in the study of two deuterostomes, an ascidian Ciona Intestinalis and a feather star Oxycomanthus japonicus. The draft genome sequence of Ciona Intestinalis has been determined, and its compact genome, which has less redundancy of genes compared with vertebrates, provides us with a useful experimental system for analyzing the functions of genes during development. The life cycle of Ciona Intestinalis is approximately 2-3 months, and the genetic techniques including a perfect inland culture system, germline transformation with a transposon Minos, enhancer detection and insertional mutagenesis, have been established. The feather star Oxycomanthus japonicus conserves the characteristics of the basic echinoderm body plan with a segmented mesoderm, which is a fascinating characteristic for understanding the evolution of echinoderms. Oxycomanthus japonicus shows strong regeneration ability and is a suitable subject for analysis of the mechanisms of regeneration. In consideration of these features, the National BioResource Project (NBRP) has started to support the supply of wild-types, transgenic lines and inbred lines of Ciona Intestinalis and Oxycomanthus japonicus.

  • delineating metamorphic pathways in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis
    Developmental Biology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Akie Nakayamaishimura, Yasunori Sasakura, Nori Satoh, Jeanphillippe Chambon, Takeo Horie
    Abstract:

    Abstract In most ascidians, metamorphosis of tadpole-like swimming larvae is accompanied by dynamic changes in their shape to form sessile adults. The mechanisms underlying ascidian metamorphosis have been debated for a long time. Although recent molecular studies have revealed the presence of various molecules involving in this process, the basic mechanism of the metamorphic events is still unclear. For example, it has not been solved whether all metamorphic events are organized by the same single pathway or by multiple, independent pathways. In the present study, we approached this question using the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis. When the papillae and preoral lobes of the larvae were cut off, the papillae-cut larvae initiated certain trunk metamorphic events such as the formation of an ampulla, body axis rotation and adult organ growth without other metamorphic events. This observation indicates that metamorphic events can be divided into at least two groups, events initiated in the papillae-cut larva and events not initiated in this larva. In addition to this observation, we have isolated a novel mutant, tail regression failed (trf), which shows similar phenotypes to those of papillae-cut larvae. The phenotypes of trf mutants are basically different from those of swimming juvenile mutants (Sasakura, Y., Nakashima, K., Awazu, S., Matsuoka, T., Nakayama, A., Azuma, J., Satoh, N., 2005. Transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis revealed the functions of animal cellulose synthase in the ascidian Ciona Intestinalis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102, 15134–15139.), which also show abnormal metamorphosis. These findings suggest a model by which ascidian metamorphic events can be classified into four groups initiated by different pathways.

Kasumi Yagi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell–cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis , was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis . The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFβ family member genes, five TGFβ-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • a genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis vi genes for wnt tgfβ hedgehog and jak stat signaling pathways
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    : Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • A genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis. VI. Genes for Wnt, TGFbeta, Hedgehog and JAK/STAT signaling pathways.
    Development genes and evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • a genomewide survey of developmentally relevant genes in Ciona Intestinalis vi genes for wnt tgfbeta hedgehog and jak stat signaling pathways
    Development Genes and Evolution, 2003
    Co-Authors: Kyosuke Hino, Kasumi Yagi, Yutaka Satou, Nori Satoh
    Abstract:

    Cell-cell interactions play important roles in a variety of developmental processes, and therefore molecules involved in the signaling pathways have been studied extensively. Recently, the draft genome sequence of the basal chordate, Ciona Intestinalis, was determined. Here we annotated genes for the signaling pathways of Wnt, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Hedgehog, and JAK/STAT in the genome of Ciona Intestinalis. The Ciona genome contains ten wnt genes, six frizzled genes, four sFRP genes, ten TGFbeta family member genes, five TGFbeta-receptor genes, and five Smad genes; most of the genes were found with less redundancy than in vertebrate genomes. The other genes in the signaling pathways are present as a single copy in the Ciona genome. In addition, all of the identified genes for the signaling pathway, except for a few genes, have EST evidence, and their cDNAs are available from the Ciona Intestinalis gene collection. Therefore, Ciona Intestinalis may provide an experimental system for exploring the basic genetic cascade associated with the signaling pathways in chordates.

  • a cdna resource from the basal chordate Ciona Intestinalis
    Genesis, 2002
    Co-Authors: Yutaka Satou, Makoto Hamaguchi, Satoko Awazu, Kasumi Yagi, Yasuaki Mochizuki, Akane Sasaki, Lixy Yamada, Naohito Takatori, Takeshi Kawashima, Yasunori Sasakura
    Abstract:

    Summary: The genome of the basal choradate Ciona Intestinalis contains a basic set of genes with less redundancy compared to the vertebrate genome. Extensive EST analyses, cDNA sequencing, and clustering yielded “Ciona Intestinalis Gene Collection Release 1,” which contains cDNA clones for 13,464 genes, covering nearly 85% of the Ciona mRNA species. This release is ready for use in cDNA cloning, micro/macroarray analysis, and other comprehensive genome-wide analyses for further molecular studies of basal chordates. genesis 33:153–154, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.