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Published on: February 16, 2017
Evolutionary perspectives from development of mesodermal components in the lamprey
Rie Kusakabe1, Shigeru Kuratani
1Laboratory for Evolutionary Morphology, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, Minatojima-Minami, Kobe, Japan. riek@cdb.riken.jp
Summary
Lamprey mesoderm development reveals ancestral gene regulatory mechanisms. These findings shed light on the evolution of jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) and their complex body plans.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Lampreys, as jawless vertebrates, exhibit unique developmental traits compared to jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes).
- Understanding lamprey mesoderm development provides insights into the ancestral vertebrate condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mesoderm development in lamprey embryos.
- To compare lamprey developmental gene regulatory cascades with those of gnathostomes.
- To infer the ancestral state of mesoderm development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mesoderm components in lamprey embryos, including head mesoderm, somites, and lateral plate mesoderm.
- Examination of gene expression patterns, such as Pax3/7 and Sox family transcription factors.
- Comparative analysis with gnathostome developmental processes.
Main Results:
- Lamprey mesoderm shares similarities with gnathostomes, including segmented somites and unsegmented head mesoderm.
- Evidence suggests a homologue of the dermomyotome exists in lampreys.
- Lampreys possess the gene regulatory cascade for ventrally migrating myoblasts, crucial for hypobranchial muscle development.
- Sox transcription factors play a significant role in lamprey cartilage development, mirroring gnathostomes.
Conclusions:
- Lamprey mesoderm development may represent an ancestral state.
- Gene regulatory mechanisms in lampreys are foundational for the evolution of gnathostome body plans.
- Comparative studies of lampreys offer crucial insights into vertebrate evolution.
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