Additional duplicated Hox genes in the earthworm: Perionyx excavatus Hox genes consist of eleven paralog groups

作者：Cho Sung Jin; Valles Yvonne; Kim Kyong Min; Ji Seong Chul; Han Seock Jung; Park Soon Cheol^*

来源：Gene, 2012, 493(2): 260-266.

DOI：10.1016/j.gene.2011.11.006

• Hox genes
• Perionyx excavatus
• Gene duplication

Annelida is a lophotrochozoan phylum whose members have a high degree of diversity in body plan morphology, reproductive strategies and ecological niches among others. %26lt;br%26gt;Of the two traditional classes pertaining to the phylum Annelida (Polychaete and Clitellata), the structure and function of the Hox genes has not been clearly defined within the Oligochaeta class. Using a PCR-based survey, we were able to identify five new Hox genes from the earthworm Perionyx excavatus: a Hox3 gene (Pex-Hox3b), two Did genes (Pex-Lox6 and Pex-Lox18), and two posterior genes (Pex-post1 and -post2a). Our result suggests that the eleven earthworm Hox genes contain at least four paralog groups (PG) that have duplicated. We found the clitellates-diagnostic signature residues and annelid signature motif. Also, we show by semi-quantitative RT-PCR that duplicated Hox gene orthologs are differentially expressed in six different anterior-posterior body regions. These results provide essential data for comparative evolution of the Hox cluster within the Annelida.

• 出版日期2012-2-10