Regulation of gene expression during development

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

A recent remarkable accumulation of information on gene regulation of various events during early development of animals has been obtained through studies using only limitted variety of animal species, such as some species of mammals, amphibians, an insect (Drosophila) and a nematoda (C.elegans). However, for an extensive understanding of molecular processes governing early development, the detailed information on the regulation of gene expression during embryogenesis of a large variety of animals is definitely expected. The present research project has thus been proposed to access the comparative aspect of gene regulation of early development. The following studies were performed in this project. (1) The collagenase gene was cloned from the frog (Rana catesbiana) and its expression in larval skin was studied in relation to metamorphosis. (2) A cDNA,expression of which changes markedly during metamorphosis, was cloned from liver of Xenopus laevis tadpole. (3) A trial to detect sperm-specific genes from spermatogonia of a newt (Triturus pyrrhogaster). (4)Genes for the fish (Oryzias latipes) hatching enzyme were cloned and their expression in prehatching stages was studied. (5) Transcription factors regulating the skeletal muscle actin genes in embryos of a solitary ascidian (Halocynthia roretzi) were studied. (6) LIM-class homeotic genes were cloned from Halocynthia roretzi and pattern of their expression during development was studied. (7) Genes related to budding of a colonial ascidian (Polyandrocarpa misakiensis) were cloned. (8) Regulation of genes for arylsulfatase in the sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) and for the exogastrula-inducing peptides of the sea urchin (Anthocidaris crassispina) were studied. (8) Cloning of the treharase cDNA was started in relation to crustacian dormancy (Artemia salina). (9) An extensive search for genes related to regulation of planarian (Dugesia japonica) regeneration was started.