Early FGF/Ets1/2 Target Heart Genes in Ciona intestinalis
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Activation of the transcription factor Ets1/2 through FGF signaling is known to specify heart precursor fate in Ciona intestinalis. In previous research, we identified candidate target genes of Ets1/2 through microarray analysis. Through in situ hybridization assays we have identified a subset of these candidate genes that are expressed specifically in the heart precursor cells immediately following their specification. To find the enhancers for the regulation of these presumed Ets target genes, we are employing bioinformatics to find conserved areas of DNA in the upstream non‐coding DNA between Ciona intestinalis and Ciona savignyi. This analysis will be used to guide ongoing efforts to clone and test predicted enhancer regions using reporter constructs. In depth analysis of identified enhancers will be used to find transcription‐binding sites for Ets and identify co-transcription factors presumed to act in concert with Ets to drive heart precursor cell specification.Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegeBiochemistry and Molecular Biophysics