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Retinoids and nonvertebrate chordate development.

Shigeki Fujiwara1

  • 1Department of Materials Science, Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan. tatataa@cc.kochi-u.ac.jp

Journal of Neurobiology
|May 12, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Retinoic acid (RA) signaling, mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RARs), is crucial for chordate development. This system evolved to pattern the central nervous system along the antero-posterior axis, a key chordate innovation.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Retinoic acid (RA) is essential for chordate development, influencing features like neural patterning and pharyngeal development.
  • Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are unique to chordates, suggesting their gene acquisition was vital for chordate evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a scenario for the evolution of an RAR-mediated developmental regulatory system in chordates.
  • To elucidate the role of RA in patterning the antero-posterior axis during chordate evolution.

Main Methods:

  • The study proposes a theoretical evolutionary scenario based on existing knowledge of gene function and developmental pathways.
  • It integrates information on Hox gene expression, germ layer development, and neural system centralization.

Main Results:

  • In early chordates, RARs likely regulated Hox gene expression in ectoderm and endoderm for antero-posterior patterning.
  • RA was involved in differentiating sensory neurons and forming pharyngeal gill slits.
  • As the nerve cord centralized, RA became linked to antero-posterior patterning within the central nervous system.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of RARs was a pivotal event enabling complex antero-posterior patterning in chordates.
  • RA-mediated Hox gene regulation is fundamental to the development of chordate-specific features, particularly the central nervous system.

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