Organ specific gene expression in the regenerating tail of Macrostomum lignano

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.07.021
• Publication Date: 2017-07-28T08:01:39Z
• Authors: Birgit Lengerer; Julia Wunderer; Robert Pjeta; Giada Carta; Damian Kao; Aziz Aboobaker; Christian Beisel; Eugene Berezikov; Willi Salvenmoser; Peter Ladurner
• Keywords: Flatworm; Planarian

Temporal and spatial characterization of gene expression is a prerequisite for the understanding cell-, tissue-, organ-differentiation. In multifaceted approach to investigate in tail plate free-living marine flatworm Macrostomum lignano, we performed posterior-region-specific situ hybridization screen, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) regenerating animals, functional analyses selected tail-specific genes. The screen revealed transcripts expressed antrum, cement glands, adhesive organs, prostate rhabdite other tissues. Next used RNA-seq characterize temporal revealing time restricted onset both organs copulatory apparatus regeneration. addition, identified three novel previously unannotated genes solely stylet. interference showed that these are required formation not only stylet but whole male apparatus. RNAi treated animals lacked stylet, vesicula granulorum, seminal vesicle, false while tissues plate, such as regenerated normally. summary, our findings provide large resource data during homeostasis regeneration morphologically complex pave way better organogenesis M. lignano.