Common Transcriptional Mechanisms for Visual Photoreceptor Cell Differentiation among Pancrustaceans

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004484
• Publication Date: 2014-07-03T17:36:07Z
• Authors: Simpla Mahato; Shinichi Morita; Abraham E. Tucker; Xulong Liang; Magdalena Jackowska; Markus Friedrich; Yasuhiro Shiga; Andrew C. Zelhof
• Keywords: Visual phototransduction; Opsin; Cell fate determination

A hallmark of visual rhabdomeric photoreceptors is the expression a opsin and uniquely associated phototransduction molecules, which are incorporated into specialized expanded apical membrane, rhabdomere. Given extensive utilization in eyes protostomes, here we address whether common transcriptional mechanism exists for differentiation photoreceptors. In Drosophila, transcription factors Pph13 Orthodenticle (Otd) direct both aspects differentiation: rhabdomere morphogenesis. We demonstrate that orthologs proteins expressed systems distantly related arthropod species Tribolium castaneum Daphnia magna their functional roles similar these species. particular, establish homologs have ability to bind subset Rhodopsin core sequence I sites present key genes Daphnia. Furthermore, Otd capable executing deeply conserved functions photoreceptor as evidenced by rescue respective Drosophila mutant phenotypes. equivalent morphogenesis within whereas paralogs differential abilities regulate differentiation. Finally, loss-of-function analyses confirm requirement regulating Taken together, our data identify components regulatory framework Pancrustaceans, providing foundation defining ancestral modules