Formation of all metazoan bodies is controlled by a group of selector genes including homeobox genes, highly conserved across the entire animal kingdom. The homeobox genes from Pou and Six classes are key members of the regulation cascades determining development of sensory organs, nervous system, gonads and muscles. Besides using common bilaterian models, more attention has recently been targeted at the identification and characterization of these genes within the basal metazoan phyla. Cnidaria as a diploblastic sister group to bilateria with simple and yet specialized organs are suitable models for studies on the sensory organ origin and the associated role of homeobox genes. In this work, Pou and Six homeobox genes, together with a broad range of other sensory-specific transcription factors, were identified in the transcriptome of hydrozoan jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbyi. Phylogenetic analyses of Pou and Six proteins revealed cnidarian-specific sequence motifs and contributed to the classification of individual factors. The majority of the Craspedacusta sowerbyi Pou and Six homeobox genes are predominantly expressed in statocysts, manubrium and nerve ring, the tissues with sensory and nervous activities. The described diversity and expression patterns of Pou and Six factors in hydrozoan jellyfish highlight their evolutionarily conserved functions. This study extends the knowledge of the cnidarian genome complexity and shows that the transcriptome of hydrozoan jellyfish is generally rich in homeodomain transcription factors employed in the regulation of sensory and nervous functions.
- MeSH
- POU Domain Factors chemistry genetics metabolism MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Hydrozoa genetics MeSH
- Evolution, Molecular MeSH
- Organ Specificity MeSH
- Protein Structure, Tertiary MeSH
- Transcriptome MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- MeSH
- Amebiasis diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Cysticercosis diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Dengue diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Dermatitis diagnosis etiology drug therapy MeSH
- Dermatology methods MeSH
- Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Dracunculiasis diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Erythema diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Drug Therapy methods utilization MeSH
- Filariasis diagnosis etiology drug therapy MeSH
- Hydrozoa pathogenicity MeSH
- Intertrigo etiology complications MeSH
- Anthozoa pathogenicity MeSH
- Bites and Stings etiology drug therapy complications MeSH
- Spider Bites diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Larva Migrans diagnosis drug therapy transmission MeSH
- Leishmaniasis diagnosis etiology classification MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Myiasis diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Onchocerciasis, Ocular diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Parasitic Diseases diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Primary Prevention methods MeSH
- Scyphozoa pathogenicity MeSH
- Siphonaptera immunology pathogenicity drug effects MeSH
- Scorpions pathogenicity MeSH
- Tropical Medicine methods MeSH
- Trypanosomiasis diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Trypanosomiasis, African diagnosis etiology drug therapy MeSH
- Venereology methods MeSH
- Virus Diseases etiology classification therapy MeSH
- Ulcer history etiology therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
