The role of Hox genes in the ancestral bilaterian
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
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Technical Summary
I will develop priapulids and polychaete annelids as new model systems for the study of Hox genes, alongside the cephalochordate amphioxus. These three taxa represent ideal candidates for understanding the ancestral condition of each of the three main groups of higher animals (Ecdysozoa, Lophotrochozoa and Deuterostomia), and by extrapolation the ancestor of the Bilateria. The hox genes constitute a key paradigm within Evolutionary Developmental Biology, apparently patterning the development of all animals. Our understanding of these genes has largely been driven by the conventional model organisms of developmental biology (flies, nematodes and vertebrates). These organisms however are derived with regards to the organisation and deployment of their Hox genes. To discover the ancestral condition of Bilateria we need these new, less derived model systems.
Organisations
Publications
Amemiya CT
(2008)
The amphioxus Hox cluster: characterization, comparative genomics, and evolution.
in Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution
Butts T
(2010)
Ancient homeobox gene loss and the evolution of chordate brain and pharynx development: deductions from amphioxus gene expression.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Butts T
(2008)
The urbilaterian Super-Hox cluster.
in Trends in genetics : TIG
Ferrier D
(2009)
Evolving Pathways - Key Themes in Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Ferrier D
(2007)
HOX Gene Expression
Ferrier DE
(2010)
Evolution of Hox complexes.
in Advances in experimental medicine and biology
Holland L
(2008)
The amphioxus genome illuminates vertebrate origins and cephalochordate biology
in Genome Research
Hui J
(2007)
Duplication of the ribosomal gene cluster in the marine polychaete Platynereis dumerilii correlates with ITS polymorphism
in Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Hui JH
(2012)
Extensive chordate and annelid macrosynteny reveals ancestral homeobox gene organization.
in Molecular biology and evolution
Hui JH
(2009)
Features of the ancestral bilaterian inferred from Platynereis dumerilii ParaHox genes.
in BMC biology