Abstract
Pax-6 in vertebrates and its homolog eyeless in Drosophila are known to be essential for eye development. Here we investigate the role of Pax-6 in eye development in another major systematic group, molluscs. We demonstrate that alternatively spliced RNAs derived from a single Pax-6 gene in the squid (Loligo opalescens) are expressed in the embryonic eye, olfactory organ, brain, and arms. Despite significant sequence differences between squid Pax-6 and Drosophila eyeless in the region outside the paired- and homeodomains, squid Pax-6 is able to induce the formation of ectopic eyes in Drosophila. Our results support the idea that Pax-6 related genes are necessary for eye and olfactory system formation throughout the animal kingdom.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Cloning, Molecular
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DNA Primers
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DNA, Complementary
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DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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Decapodiformes / embryology
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Decapodiformes / genetics
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Embryo, Nonmammalian
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Eye / embryology*
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Eye Proteins
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Homeodomain Proteins*
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Humans
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In Situ Hybridization
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mollusca
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PAX6 Transcription Factor
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Repressor Proteins
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
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Transcription, Genetic
Substances
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DNA Primers
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DNA, Complementary
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Eye Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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PAX6 Transcription Factor
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PAX6 protein, human
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Repressor Proteins
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Transcription Factors