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Apextrin, a novel extracellular protein associated with larval ectoderm evolution in Heliocidaris erythrogramma
E S Haag1, B J Sly, M E Andrews
1Department of Biology and Indiana Molecular Biology Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA.
Developmental Biology
|June 22, 1999
Summary
The sea urchin gene HeET-1, named apextrin, is highly expressed in direct-developing species and functions in apical cell adhesion, potentially aiding embryonic structural integrity.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Direct development in sea urchins involves significant evolutionary modifications.
- The gene HeET-1 was identified as potentially unique to direct-developing species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression and function of the HeET-1 gene.
- To characterize the protein encoded by HeET-1 and its role in embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Differential gene screening to identify HeET-1.
- Isolation of HeET-1 homologue from genomic DNA.
- RNA blotting and antibody production for protein localization.
- Comparison with other extracellular matrix components.
Main Results:
- HeET-1 shows extreme differential expression, being undetectable in indirect-developing species.
- The HeET-1 protein, named apextrin, is secreted from maternal stores after fertilization.
- Apextrin localizes to the apical extracellular matrix and is involved in cell adhesion.
- Apextrin exhibits tighter association with the plasma membrane than other known components.
Conclusions:
- Apextrin's high expression in H. erythrogramma may be an adaptation for embryonic structural support.
- The study elucidates a novel secreted protein involved in cell adhesion during sea urchin development.
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