Abstract.
The engrailed genes play roles in the maintenance of segment polarity in a variety of animals and in the establishment and maintenance of the mid-brain/hind-brain boundary (MHB) in vertebrates. We isolated an ascidian engrailed gene and analyzed its expression pattern during early development. Expression begins at the neurula stage and is restricted to two cells within the neuroectoderm. At the tail-bud stage engrailed-expressing cells are in the "neck" region of the neural tube, which has been proposed to be the ascidian equivalent of the MHB. These same cells also express PAX2/5/8. We speculate that a structure equivalent to the MHB existed before the split of the three chordate subphyla.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jiang, D., Smith, W.C. An ascidian engrailed gene. Dev Genes Evol 212, 399–402 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00427-002-0255-y
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00427-002-0255-y