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Mikiko Tanaka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mechanisms of heart development in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Evolution & Development, 2010Co-Authors: Nobuhiro Kokubo, Manami Matsuura, Shigehiro Kuraku, Eva Tiecke, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:Vertebrate hearts have evolved from undivided tubular hearts of chordate ancestors. One of the most intriguing issues in heart evolution is the abrupt appearance of multichambered hearts in the agnathan vertebrates. To explore the developmental mechanisms behind the drastic morphological changes that led to complex vertebrate hearts, we examined the developmental patterning of the agnathan lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We isolated lamprey orthologs of genes thought to be essential for heart development in chicken and mouse embryos, including genes responsible for differentiation and proliferation of the myocardium (LjTbx20, LjTbx4/5, and LjIsl1/2A), establishment of left-right heart asymmetry (LjPitxA), and partitioning of the heart tube (LjTbx2/3A), and studied their expression patterns during lamprey cardiogenesis. We confirmed the presence of the cardiac progenitors expressing LjIsl1/2A in the pharyngeal and splanchnic mesoderm and the heart tube of the lamprey. The presence of LjIsl1/2A-positive cardiac progenitor cells in cardiogenesis may have permitted an increase of myocardial size in vertebrates. We also observed LjPitxA expression in the left side of lamprey cardiac mesoderm, suggesting that asymmetric expression of Pitx in the heart has been acquired in the vertebrate lineage. Additionally, we observed LjTbx2/3A expression in the nonchambered myocardium, supporting the view that acquisition of Tbx2/3 expression may have allowed primitive tubular hearts to partition, giving rise to multichambered hearts.
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Identification of four Engrailed genes in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 2008Co-Authors: Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Hidenori Nishihara, Norihiro Okada, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have isolated four homologs of Engrailed genes from the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum ,a n agnathan that occupies a critical phylogenic position between cephalochordates and gnathostomes. We named these four genes LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, LjEngrailedC, and LjEngrailedD. LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, and LjEngrailedD share a major expression domain in the presumptive midbrain– hindbrain boundary region of the central nervous system, although their levels and timing of expression differed. On the other hand, LjEngrailedC transcripts were in the pharyngeal ectoderm and the ventral ectoderm of the body wall. In addition, LjEngrailedA was expressed in the ventral side of the epibranchial muscle precursors. LjEngrailedD transcripts were seen in the mesodermal cells of the mandibular arch and later in a group of cells responsible for the formation of the upper lip, lower lip, and velum. Our results provide clues to the evolution of these structures as well as a possible scenario for duplication events of Engrailed genes. Developmental Dynamics 237:1581–1589, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Identification and developmental expression of two Tbx1/10-related genes in the agnathan Lethenteron japonicum
Development Genes and Evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Eva Tiecke, Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have identified two Tbx1/10 -related genes, LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B , from the Japanese river lamprey Lethenteron japonicum . We used in situ hybridization to characterize their expression pattern during embryonic development. LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B shared common expression in the pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle, although their levels and timing of expression differed markedly. LjTbx1/10A was highly expressed in the mesodermal core of pharyngeal arches and the adjacent endoderm throughout pharyngeal arch development, whereas LjTbx1/10B expression was only transiently upregulated in forming pharyngeal pouches. LjTbx1/10A transcripts first appeared at stage 25 in otic vesicles, whereas LjTbx1/10B transcripts could already be detected in the developing otic placode at stage 20. These results suggest that lamprey LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B may play distinct roles in the patterning and development of the pharyngeal apparatus. It appears that lamprey Tbx1/10 genes have undergone subfunctionalization independent from gnathostomes, with regard to both regulation and function.
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identification and developmental expression of two tbx1 10 related genes in the agnathan Lethenteron japonicum
Development Genes and Evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Eva Tiecke, Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have identified two Tbx1/10-related genes, LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B, from the Japanese river lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We used in situ hybridization to characterize their expression pattern during embryonic development. LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B shared common expression in the pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle, although their levels and timing of expression differed markedly. LjTbx1/10A was highly expressed in the mesodermal core of pharyngeal arches and the adjacent endoderm throughout pharyngeal arch development, whereas LjTbx1/10B expression was only transiently upregulated in forming pharyngeal pouches. LjTbx1/10A transcripts first appeared at stage 25 in otic vesicles, whereas LjTbx1/10B transcripts could already be detected in the developing otic placode at stage 20. These results suggest that lamprey LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B may play distinct roles in the patterning and development of the pharyngeal apparatus. It appears that lamprey Tbx1/10 genes have undergone subfunctionalization independent from gnathostomes, with regard to both regulation and function.
Shigeru Kuratani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Inner ear development in cyclostomes and evolution of the vertebrate semicircular canals
Nature, 2019Co-Authors: Shinnosuke Higuchi, Fumiaki Sugahara, Juan Pascual-anaya, Wataru Takagi, Yasuhiro Oisi, Shigeru KurataniAbstract:Jawed vertebrates have inner ears with three semicircular canals, the presence of which has been used as a key to understanding evolutionary relationships. Ostracoderms, the jawless stem gnathostomes, had only two canals and lacked the lateral canal^ 1 – 3 . Lampreys, which are modern cyclostomes, are generally thought to possess two semicircular canals whereas the hagfishes—which are also cyclostomes—have only a single canal, which used to be regarded as a more primitive trait^ 1 , 4 . However, recent molecular and developmental analyses have strongly supported the monophyly of cyclostomes^ 5 – 7 , which has left the evolutionary trajectory of the vertebrate inner ear unclear^ 8 . Here we show the differentiation of the otic vesicle of the lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum and inshore hagfish Eptatretus burgeri . This is the first time, to our knowledge, that the development of the hagfish inner ear is reported. We found that canal development in the lamprey starts with two depressions—which is reminiscent of the early developmental pattern of the inner ear in modern gnathostomes. These cyclostome otic vesicles show a pattern of expression of regulatory genes, including OTX genes, that is comparable to that of gnathosomes. Although two depressions appear in the lamprey vesicle, they subsequently fuse to form a single canal that is similar to that of hagfishes. Complete separation of the depressions results in anterior and posterior canals in gnathostomes. The single depression of the vesicle in hagfishes thus appears to be a secondarily derived trait. Furthermore, the lateral canal in crown gnathostomes was acquired secondarily—not by de novo acquisition of an OTX expression domain, but by the evolution of a developmental program downstream of the OTX genes. The differentiation of the inner ear in the lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum and hagfish Eptatretus burgeri sheds light on the evolution of the semicircular canals of jawed vertebrates.
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Stepwise participation of HGF/MET signaling in the development of migratory muscle precursors during vertebrate evolution
Zoological Letters, 2018Co-Authors: Noritaka Adachi, Shinnosuke Higuchi, Juan Pascual-anaya, Tamami Hirai, Shunya Kuroda, Shigeru KurataniAbstract:Background The skeletal musculature of gnathostomes, which is derived from embryonic somites, consists of epaxial and hypaxial portions. Some hypaxial muscles, such as tongue and limb muscles, undergo de-epithelialization and migration during development. Delamination and migration of these myoblasts, or migratory muscle precursors (MMPs), is generally thought to be regulated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) signaling. However, the prevalence of this mechanism and the expression patterns of the genes involved in MMP development across different vertebrate species remain elusive. Results We performed a comparative analysis of Hgf and Met gene expression in several vertebrates, including mouse, chicken, dogfish ( Scyliorhinus torazame) , and lamprey ( Lethenteron camtschaticum) . While both Hgf and Met were expressed during development in the mouse tongue muscle, and in limb muscle formation in the mouse and chicken, we found no clear evidence for the involvement of HGF/MET signaling in MMP development in shark or lamprey embryos. Conclusions Our results indicate that the expressions and functions of both Hgf and Met genes do not represent shared features of vertebrate MMPs, suggesting a stepwise participation of HGF/MET signaling in MMP development during vertebrate evolution.
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evolution of retinoic acid receptors in chordates insights from three lamprey species lampetra fluviatilis petromyzon marinus and Lethenteron japonicum
Evodevo, 2015Co-Authors: Florent Campopaysaa, David Jandzik, Yoko Takioogawa, Maria V Cattell, Haley C Neef, James A Langeland, Shigeru KurataniAbstract:Background Retinoic acid (RA) signaling controls many developmental processes in chordates, from early axis specification to late organogenesis. The functions of RA are chiefly mediated by a subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs), that act as ligand-activated transcription factors. While RARs have been extensively studied in jawed vertebrates (that is, gnathostomes) and invertebrate chordates, very little is known about the repertoire and developmental roles of RARs in cyclostomes, which are extant jawless vertebrates. Here, we present the first extensive study of cyclostome RARs focusing on three different lamprey species: the European freshwater lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, and the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
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Mechanisms of heart development in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Evolution & Development, 2010Co-Authors: Nobuhiro Kokubo, Manami Matsuura, Shigehiro Kuraku, Eva Tiecke, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:Vertebrate hearts have evolved from undivided tubular hearts of chordate ancestors. One of the most intriguing issues in heart evolution is the abrupt appearance of multichambered hearts in the agnathan vertebrates. To explore the developmental mechanisms behind the drastic morphological changes that led to complex vertebrate hearts, we examined the developmental patterning of the agnathan lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We isolated lamprey orthologs of genes thought to be essential for heart development in chicken and mouse embryos, including genes responsible for differentiation and proliferation of the myocardium (LjTbx20, LjTbx4/5, and LjIsl1/2A), establishment of left-right heart asymmetry (LjPitxA), and partitioning of the heart tube (LjTbx2/3A), and studied their expression patterns during lamprey cardiogenesis. We confirmed the presence of the cardiac progenitors expressing LjIsl1/2A in the pharyngeal and splanchnic mesoderm and the heart tube of the lamprey. The presence of LjIsl1/2A-positive cardiac progenitor cells in cardiogenesis may have permitted an increase of myocardial size in vertebrates. We also observed LjPitxA expression in the left side of lamprey cardiac mesoderm, suggesting that asymmetric expression of Pitx in the heart has been acquired in the vertebrate lineage. Additionally, we observed LjTbx2/3A expression in the nonchambered myocardium, supporting the view that acquisition of Tbx2/3 expression may have allowed primitive tubular hearts to partition, giving rise to multichambered hearts.
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Identification of four Engrailed genes in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 2008Co-Authors: Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Hidenori Nishihara, Norihiro Okada, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have isolated four homologs of Engrailed genes from the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum ,a n agnathan that occupies a critical phylogenic position between cephalochordates and gnathostomes. We named these four genes LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, LjEngrailedC, and LjEngrailedD. LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, and LjEngrailedD share a major expression domain in the presumptive midbrain– hindbrain boundary region of the central nervous system, although their levels and timing of expression differed. On the other hand, LjEngrailedC transcripts were in the pharyngeal ectoderm and the ventral ectoderm of the body wall. In addition, LjEngrailedA was expressed in the ventral side of the epibranchial muscle precursors. LjEngrailedD transcripts were seen in the mesodermal cells of the mandibular arch and later in a group of cells responsible for the formation of the upper lip, lower lip, and velum. Our results provide clues to the evolution of these structures as well as a possible scenario for duplication events of Engrailed genes. Developmental Dynamics 237:1581–1589, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Qinghua Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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molecular characterization and chemotactic function of cxcl8 in northeast chinese lamprey Lethenteron morii
Frontiers in Immunology, 2020Co-Authors: Xinyun Zhu, Shaoqing Ding, Jianfeng Ren, Zhe Zhang, Liang Jia, Yan Tao, Qinghua ZhangAbstract:Chemokine-induced chemotaxis of leukocytes is an important part of the innate immunity and has been shown to mediate inflammation in all groups of jawed vertebrates. For jawless vertebrates, hagfish leukocytes are known to show chemotaxis toward mammalian complement anaphylotoxin and Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide. However, whether chemokines mediate chemotaxis of leukocytes in jawless vertebrates has not been conclusively examined. Here, we show C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8, also named interleukin 8) of the Northeast Chinese lamprey (Lethenteron morii) (designated as LmCXCL8) induces chemotaxis in its leukocytes. We identified LmCXCL8 and found it possesses the characteristic N-terminal cysteine residues and GGR (Gly-Gly-Arg) motif. The Lmcxcl8 gene was found to be expressed in all examined tissues, and its expression was inducible in the lamprey challenged by an infectious bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A recombinant LmCXCL8 protein elicited concentration-dependent chemotaxis in peripheral blood leukocytes isolated from the Northeast Chinese lamprey. Based on these results, we conclude that LmCXCL8 is a constitutive and inducible acute-phase cytokine that mediates immune defense and trace the chemotactic function of chemokine to basal vertebrates.
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northeast chinese lamprey Lethenteron morii myd88 identification expression and functional characterization
Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 2019Co-Authors: Zebin Zhou, Shaoqing Ding, Jianfeng Ren, Qinghua ZhangAbstract:Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is a key adaptor of Toll-like receptors (TLR), an important pattern recognition receptor of the innate immune system. To study the origin and evolution of the vertebrate TLR signaling pathway in innate immune systems, we analyzed the biological characteristics and functions of the MyD88 gene in Northeast Chinese lamprey (Lethenteron morii) using PCR amplification, real-time PCR analysis, dual luciferase reporter gene assay, immunofluorescence assay, and other methods. Bioinformatics analysis showed that LmMyD88 has a modular structure consisting of Toll/IL-1R domain (TIR) and death domain (DD), which is typical of the MyD88 family. A phylogenetic tree showed that the homology of LmMyD88 was consistent with the phylogenetic status of lampreys. Tissue expression analysis indicated that the mRNA expression was expressed in some normal tissues of larval and adult L. morii. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of LmMyD88 in tissues, such as gill and kidney, of the adult increased significantly after infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Subcellular localization results showed that LmMyD88 was expressed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and other parts. A dual luciferase reporter assay indicated that LmMyD88 activated nuclear factor kappa B downstream of the TLR signaling pathway. This study suggested that LmMyD88 might play an important role in the innate immune signal transduction process of L. morii.
Yuji Yamazaki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Population structure and gene flow among anadromous arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) populations deduced from polymorphic microsatellite loci
Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2014Co-Authors: Yuji Yamazaki, Terumi Nagai, Ryota Yokoyama, Akira GotoAbstract:Information on migration ecology is important for effective conservation and management of fishery resources, particularly diadromous animals. We investigated the genetic population structure and gene flow pattern of anadromous Arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum by analyzing polymorphic microsatellite loci. Bayesian population structure analysis was used to estimate the existence of two genetically divergent ancestral sources and latitudinal gradual changes of their frequencies among the present populations. When hypotheses of historical migration models were tested using coalescent-based methods, the best model was found to be an n-island model assuming equal population size and reciprocal migration among all populations. These results suggest that L. camtschaticum has considerable ability to migrate long distances in the sea and has lower homing abilities. For resource management of L. camtschaticum , unconstrained gene flow across all populations should be maintained. The present findings might be beneficial for conservation and contribute the sustainable use of L. camtschaticum resource.
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formation of a fluvial non parasitic population of Lethenteron camtschaticum as the first step in petromyzontid speciation
Journal of Fish Biology, 2011Co-Authors: Yuji Yamazaki, Terumi Nagai, R. Yokoyama, Akira GotoAbstract:To elucidate the petromyzontid speciation process, the genetic independence of the fluvial non-parasitic populations within the anadromous parasitic Lethenteron camtschaticum was estimated by using polymorphic microsatellite loci. Abundant gene flow was revealed in multitemporal scales between potentially sympatric populations, suggesting ongoing gene flow resulting from imperfect size-assortative mating between them and plastic determination of life histories. On the contrary, landlocked fluvial non-parasitic populations in the upper region of dams were genetically divergent from anadromous parasitic populations. The temporal heterogeneity of gene flow, i.e. contemporary little gene flow but significant gene flow over the long-term between the landlocked fluvial non-parasitic and anadromous parasitic populations was elucidated. In addition, the divergence time of isolation of the landlocked populations from the ancestral anadromous parasitic population was estimated to have occurred 17.9-428.2 years ago, which includes the construction times of an initial dam c. 90 years ago. These instances indicate that the landlocked populations should have very recently been established, and subsequent accumulation of divergence and development of reproductive isolation are predicted. The present landlocked fluvial non-parasitic populations should be analogous to the founder populations in terms of petromyzontid speciation. The data also strongly support the hypothesis of multitemporal and multispatial speciation in the petromyzontid stem-satellite species complex.
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Recent microscale disturbance of gene flow in threatened fluvial lamprey, Lethenteron sp. N, living in a paddy water system
Conservation Genetics, 2011Co-Authors: Yuji Yamazaki, Ayumi Yamano, Kaori OuraAbstract:We investigated whether the installation of sluice gates hindered gene flow among subpopulations of a fluvial lamprey, Lethenteron sp. N, inhabiting a paddy water system. Individuals were collected from three study sites and were genotyped at six polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our calculations indicated that, historically, gene flow among the subpopulations was frequent and bidirectional; however, contemporary gene flow was unidirectional (upstream to downstream). This indicates that the sluice gates have obstructed the movement of individuals between different subpopulations. Despite this, genetic diversity was similar across all three study sites. Thus, while the fluvial lamprey population does not appear to be in danger of losing genetic diversity, continued isolation is likely to affect gene flow by reducing migration between subpopulations. We recommend a management scheme wherein the sluice gates are periodically opened in order to facilitate migration. Since lampreys are an important part of the ecosystem, this should also help maintain the health of the paddy environment in general.
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repetitive sequences in the lamprey mitochondrial dna control region and speciation of Lethenteron
Gene, 2010Co-Authors: Kazunori Okada, Yuji Yamazaki, Shinichi Yokobori, Hiroshi WadaAbstract:The sequence of the mitochondrial DNA control region was examined in four species of lamprey in the genus Lethenteron. The 3' half of the control region contains highly variable repeat sequences, showing variation in both copy number and nucleotide sequence, even within local populations. Detailed analyses of the sequences of the repeats allowed us to deduce that slipped-strand mispairing during DNA replication, accompanied by a high rate of substitutions and indels, was primarily responsible for the variation in the repeats. We also found that some cases might be better explained by gene conversion, due to intermolecular recombination. Based on the observed variable nature of the mitochondrial control region, we searched for molecular markers in mitochondrial DNA, because there are few fixed genetic markers for distinguishing between Lethenteron japonicum and Lethenteron kessleri. However, we found no reliable markers in the control region. No fixed substitution was observed in intron sequences of the nuclear gene SoxD. Thus, these two species likely diverged quite recently and may possess only a limited number of fixed genetic loci.
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Microhabitat use by the larvae of cryptic lamprey species in Lethenteron reissneri in a sympatric area
Ichthyological Research, 2007Co-Authors: Yuji YamazakiAbstract:Microhabitat use by the larvae of two cryptic lamprey species in Lethenteron reissneri , Lethenteron sp. N (northern form) and Lethenteron sp. S (southern form) larvae, as well as intraspecific variations on a size-related basis, were examined in a study area (500 × 5 m) located on a stream where they showed sympatric distribution. The total number of individuals collected from each of 31 quadrats (60 × 60 cm) ranged from 0 (0 n /m^2) to 13 (36.1 n /m^2). The distinct difference in habitat use was not observed between the two species in the present study area. Lamprey density was not significantly independent among the size groups (small and large) for each of Lethenteron sp. N and Lethenteron sp. S. The density of each size group of the two species was significantly correlated with some habitat variables, and stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a positive association for a substrate with a smaller particle size and deeper depth for large individuals of Lethenteron sp. N and Lethenteron sp. S, respectively, suggesting that these conditions would be suitable for burrowing. On the other hand, small individuals of both species tended to occur in areas where there was a high content of medium sand and a faster current velocity, probably reflecting a preference for respiratory efficiency. Various condition of habitat should be maintained to conserve the cryptic lampreys.
Shigehiro Kuraku - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mechanisms of heart development in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Evolution & Development, 2010Co-Authors: Nobuhiro Kokubo, Manami Matsuura, Shigehiro Kuraku, Eva Tiecke, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:Vertebrate hearts have evolved from undivided tubular hearts of chordate ancestors. One of the most intriguing issues in heart evolution is the abrupt appearance of multichambered hearts in the agnathan vertebrates. To explore the developmental mechanisms behind the drastic morphological changes that led to complex vertebrate hearts, we examined the developmental patterning of the agnathan lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We isolated lamprey orthologs of genes thought to be essential for heart development in chicken and mouse embryos, including genes responsible for differentiation and proliferation of the myocardium (LjTbx20, LjTbx4/5, and LjIsl1/2A), establishment of left-right heart asymmetry (LjPitxA), and partitioning of the heart tube (LjTbx2/3A), and studied their expression patterns during lamprey cardiogenesis. We confirmed the presence of the cardiac progenitors expressing LjIsl1/2A in the pharyngeal and splanchnic mesoderm and the heart tube of the lamprey. The presence of LjIsl1/2A-positive cardiac progenitor cells in cardiogenesis may have permitted an increase of myocardial size in vertebrates. We also observed LjPitxA expression in the left side of lamprey cardiac mesoderm, suggesting that asymmetric expression of Pitx in the heart has been acquired in the vertebrate lineage. Additionally, we observed LjTbx2/3A expression in the nonchambered myocardium, supporting the view that acquisition of Tbx2/3 expression may have allowed primitive tubular hearts to partition, giving rise to multichambered hearts.
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Identification of four Engrailed genes in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum.
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists, 2008Co-Authors: Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Koh Onimaru, Hidenori Nishihara, Norihiro Okada, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have isolated four homologs of Engrailed genes from the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum ,a n agnathan that occupies a critical phylogenic position between cephalochordates and gnathostomes. We named these four genes LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, LjEngrailedC, and LjEngrailedD. LjEngrailedA, LjEngrailedB, and LjEngrailedD share a major expression domain in the presumptive midbrain– hindbrain boundary region of the central nervous system, although their levels and timing of expression differed. On the other hand, LjEngrailedC transcripts were in the pharyngeal ectoderm and the ventral ectoderm of the body wall. In addition, LjEngrailedA was expressed in the ventral side of the epibranchial muscle precursors. LjEngrailedD transcripts were seen in the mesodermal cells of the mandibular arch and later in a group of cells responsible for the formation of the upper lip, lower lip, and velum. Our results provide clues to the evolution of these structures as well as a possible scenario for duplication events of Engrailed genes. Developmental Dynamics 237:1581–1589, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Identification and developmental expression of two Tbx1/10-related genes in the agnathan Lethenteron japonicum
Development Genes and Evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Eva Tiecke, Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have identified two Tbx1/10 -related genes, LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B , from the Japanese river lamprey Lethenteron japonicum . We used in situ hybridization to characterize their expression pattern during embryonic development. LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B shared common expression in the pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle, although their levels and timing of expression differed markedly. LjTbx1/10A was highly expressed in the mesodermal core of pharyngeal arches and the adjacent endoderm throughout pharyngeal arch development, whereas LjTbx1/10B expression was only transiently upregulated in forming pharyngeal pouches. LjTbx1/10A transcripts first appeared at stage 25 in otic vesicles, whereas LjTbx1/10B transcripts could already be detected in the developing otic placode at stage 20. These results suggest that lamprey LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B may play distinct roles in the patterning and development of the pharyngeal apparatus. It appears that lamprey Tbx1/10 genes have undergone subfunctionalization independent from gnathostomes, with regard to both regulation and function.
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identification and developmental expression of two tbx1 10 related genes in the agnathan Lethenteron japonicum
Development Genes and Evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Eva Tiecke, Manami Matsuura, Nobuhiro Kokubo, Rie Kusakabe, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Mikiko TanakaAbstract:We have identified two Tbx1/10-related genes, LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B, from the Japanese river lamprey Lethenteron japonicum. We used in situ hybridization to characterize their expression pattern during embryonic development. LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B shared common expression in the pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle, although their levels and timing of expression differed markedly. LjTbx1/10A was highly expressed in the mesodermal core of pharyngeal arches and the adjacent endoderm throughout pharyngeal arch development, whereas LjTbx1/10B expression was only transiently upregulated in forming pharyngeal pouches. LjTbx1/10A transcripts first appeared at stage 25 in otic vesicles, whereas LjTbx1/10B transcripts could already be detected in the developing otic placode at stage 20. These results suggest that lamprey LjTbx1/10A and LjTbx1/10B may play distinct roles in the patterning and development of the pharyngeal apparatus. It appears that lamprey Tbx1/10 genes have undergone subfunctionalization independent from gnathostomes, with regard to both regulation and function.
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Hox gene expression patterns in Lethenteron japonicum embryos--insights into the evolution of the vertebrate Hox code.
Developmental Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Yoko Takio, Shigehiro Kuraku, Shigeru Kuratani, Yasunori Murakami, Massimo Pasqualetti, Filippo M Rijli, Yuichi Narita, Rie KusakabeAbstract:The Hox code of jawed vertebrates is characterized by the colinear and rostrocaudally nested expression of Hox genes in pharyngeal arches, hindbrain, somites, and limb/fin buds. To gain insights into the evolutionary path leading to the gnathostome Hox code, we have systematically analyzed the expression pattern of the Hox gene complement in an agnathan species, Lethenteron japonicum (Lj). We have isolated 15 LjHox genes and assigned them to paralogue groups (PG) 1-11, based on their deduced amino acid sequences. LjHox expression during development displayed gnathostome-like spatial patterns with respect to the PG numbers. Specifically, lamprey PG1-3 showed homologous expression patterns in the rostral hindbrain and pharyngeal arches to their gnathostome counterparts. Moreover, PG9-11 genes were expressed specifically in the tailbud, implying its posteriorizing activity as those in gnathostomes. We conclude that these gnathostome-like colinear spatial patterns of LjHox gene expression can be regarded as one of the features already established in the common ancestor of living vertebrates. In contrast, we did not find evidence for temporal colinearity in the onset of LjHox expression. The genomic and developmental characteristics of Hox genes from different chordate species are also compared, focusing on evolution of the complex body plan of vertebrates.