Aberrant gene expression at the creatine kinase loci during Barbus hybrid development (Cypriniformes, Teleostei)

The tissue specificity and ontogeny of creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) are reported for tiger, rosy, ruby, cherry and gold barbs, and in interspecific hybrids where the tiger barb is the maternal parent. The spatial expression of CK isoenzymes in Barbus is consistent with the tissue patterns reported in other teleosts. In general, as the taxonomic (genetic) distance between the parental species increases, a corresponding delay in embryonic gene expression occurs; suggestive of species-specific effector molecule/sensor gene induction thresholds.