Tissue- and stage-specific expression of a fatty acid binding protein-like gene from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri.

摘要: A cDNA clone encoding an amphioxus fatty acid binding protein-like (AmphiFABPL) protein was isolated from a gut library of Branchiostoma belcheri. It contained 423 bp open reading frame corresponding to deduced 140 amino acids with predicted molecular mass approximately 15.9 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AmphiFABPL fell outside the vertebrate clade proteins (FABPs), being positioned at base chordate lineage, and almost equally homologous various FABPs, suggesting it may be archetype FABPs. Both northern blotting in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated expressed hepatic caecum hind-gut, although much lower level, also present endostyle, ovary testis. In addition, whole-mount revealed initially posterior two thirds primitive gut, including mid-gut where will form later, 2-day larvae. The expression pattern is closely similar L-FABP I-FABP genes vertebrates, supporting hypothesis liver.