Spatial distribution of collagen type I mRNA in Paracentrotus lividus eggs and embryos

We have identified the presence of type I collagen (COLL1alpha) mRNA in Paracentrotus lividus unfertilized egg, indicating a maternal origin of this mRNA. By in situ whole mount hybridization the spatial distribution of COLL1alpha mRNA in egg and embryo at different developmental stages was established. Moreover, the presence of COLL1alpha gene in Paracentrotus lividus genome was analyzed by Southern blot experiments. The localization pattern indicates that the maternal mRNA is placed in the fertilized egg in a fixed position, relative to the embryonic axes. Furthermore, the embryonic expression is spatially restricted during development, suggesting involvement in sea urchin embryo cell specification events. The presence of two bands in Southern blot hybridization may indicate that two genes specific for COLL1alpha are present in the sea urchin genome.