Meeting Abstract

P1.11  Monday, Jan. 4  Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Heart Formation STAROBINSKA, Ella/I*; SWEENEY, Sarah; DAVIDSON, Brad; Univ. of Arizona; Univ. of Arizona; Univ. of Arizona elstar@email.arizona.edu

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling plays a crucial role in heart development. We study the role of FGF in the process of heart formation using the cellularly and genetically simple model organism Ciona intestinalis. In Ciona embryos, FGF/Map Kinase signaling activates an Ets family transcription factor, Ets 1/2. In turn, Ets 1/2 regulates the expression of various genes that impact heart development. To determine possible Ets target genes, we first performed microarray analysis experiment specifically designed for selection of these candidate targets. Moreover, we conducted in situ hybridization assays to confirm predicted expression patterns of candidate target genes. Specific roles of these genes in heart formation will be determined using antisense morpholino knockdown and misexpression. Identification of genes involved in Ciona heart formation as well as in-depth understanding of FGF signaling will contribute valuable insights into heart formation in vertebrate embryos.