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Left-right function of dmrt2 genes is not conserved between zebrafish and mouse
Raquel Lourenço1, Susana S Lopes, Leonor Saúde
1Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de Medicina Molecular e Instituto de Histologia e Biologia do Desenvolvimento, Lisboa, Portugal.
Plos One
|January 5, 2011
Summary
The Dmrt2 gene
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Dmrt family genes are crucial for embryonic development, with roles beyond sex determination.
- Zebrafish possess two Dmrt2 paralogs (dmrt2a/terra and dmrt2b) involved in left-right patterning and somite development.
- Mouse Dmrt2 is essential for somite differentiation and axial skeleton development, but its role in left-right patterning and somite symmetry was unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Dmrt2 in left-right patterning and symmetric somite formation in mouse embryos.
- To compare the function of Dmrt2 in zebrafish and mouse embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Dmrt2 mutant mouse line to study gene function.
- Examined the expression patterns of Dmrt2 homologs in zebrafish (Kupffer's vesicle) and mouse (node) embryonic structures.
- Applied evolutionary theories (sub-functionalization and neo-functionalization) to interpret findings.
Main Results:
- Dmrt2 is not involved in symmetric somite formation or the laterality pathway in mice.
- Zebrafish dmrt2a/terra is found in Kupffer's vesicle, while mouse Dmrt2 is absent from the node.
- Significant differences in Dmrt2 function between zebrafish and mouse embryos were observed.
Conclusions:
- The function of the Dmrt2 gene in embryonic development is not conserved between zebrafish and mice.
- Evolutionary processes have led to divergent roles for Dmrt2 in these species.
