Developmental expression patterns of six6: a gene linked with spawning ecotypes in Atlantic salmon

Jacqueline Moustakas-Verho, Johanna Kurko, Andrew House, Jaakko Erkinaro, Paul Debes, Craig Primmer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The Atlantic salmon has been studied extensively, particularly as a model for understanding the genetic and environmental contributions to the evolution and development of life history traits. Expression pattern analysis in situ, however, is mostly lacking in salmon. We examine the embryonic developmental expression of six6, a candidate gene previously identified to be associated with spawning ecotypes and age at sexual maturity, in Atlantic salmon. Six6 is a member of the sine oculis homeobox family of transcription factors and is known to regulate eye and brain development in other vertebrates. We assay the expression of this gene in embryonic Atlantic salmon Salmo salar by whole-mount in situ hybridization. In line with earlier studies in other vertebrate species, we find conserved expression in the developing brain and sensory organs, including optic and olfactory primordia. However, we also find previously unreported domains of expression that suggest additional roles in axial and appendicular development, cardiovascular, intestinal, and sensory organogenesis. Each of these systems are important in the sensory ecology of Atlantic salmon, suggesting it is plausible that six6 may have pleiotropic roles in this complex phenotype.
Original languageEnglish
JournalGene expression patterns
Volume38
Number of pages7
ISSN1567-133X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fields of Science

  • 1181 Ecology, evolutionary biology
  • 1184 Genetics, developmental biology, physiology

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