Expression of Distal-less in molluscan eggs, embryos, and larvae

Distal-less (Dll) is best known as a transcription factor involved with "limb patterning" in Drosophila melanogaster. Observations of both deuterostome and protostome phyla have led to the suggestion that some aspect of this gene's function in "appendage" or proximal-distal "outgrowth" development is conserved. Here we explore the possibility of other conserved roles operating earlier in development. We examine the expression of DLL protein during the early development of two molluscan classes, Polyplacophora (chiton) and Gastropoda (snail). Using an antibody approach, we find DLL expression in the oocytes of a chiton (Mopalia muscosa) and in the pregastrulae through early veliger larvae of a marine snail (Kelletia kelletii). We observe antibody localization in the oocyte, nuclear expression in all cells of the pregastrulae, and predominant expression in the ectoderm of postgastrulae and early veliger larvae. Comparison of our observations on spiralian taxa, thought to have conservative development with previous work, primarily on deuterostomes, suggests the possibility of an ancient role(s) for DLL in early development. Possible functions appear to include maternal and zygotic involvement in the establishment of embryonic polarity, involvement in the process of germ layer formation, and a role in the specification and/or differentiation of ectoderm/epithelia. We note that the exploration of conserved gene function in early development may be clarified by examining taxa whose early development has putatively not been subject to dramatic evolutionary change.