# A GENE FAMILY EXPRESSED IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYONIC ECTODERM

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 1994 · $211,045

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to understand mechanisms underlying cell type
specific gene activation during development using the sea urchin aboral
ectoderm and the Spec/LpS1 genes as a model.  Much is known about the
cell lineages comprising the aboral ectoderm and the cell interactions
required for differentiation.  The Spec and the LpS1 genes serve as
powerful markers for probing mechanisms involved in specifying aboral
ectoderm.  The specific aims are: (1) To characterize the Spec2a
promoter.  Virtually all positive control of the Spec2a gene lies within
a 188-bp enhancer.  This enhancer is within a 600-bp repetitive sequence
element termed RSR.  The RSR enhancer contains multiple DNA-elements
including a key element, the A/T palindrome.  Additional elements in the
Spec2a promoter will be identified, along with the corresponding
DNA-binding proteins.  Non-Spec genes having nearby RSR elements will be
cloned to ask if their presence is linked to aboral ectoderm expression.
(2) To clone and characterize the A/T palindrome binding protein (A/TBP).
The A/T palindrome contains a binding site for a putative bicoid-class
protein. attempts will be made to purify this protein and in addition to
obtain a cDNA clone using oligonucleotides with bicoid-class sequences.
Once cloned, it will be determined if the A/TBP has properties consistent
with a role in activation of Spec2a and aboral ectoderm specification.
(3) To characterize the LpS1-beta promoter and the ectoderm and
endoderm/mesoderm G-string factors.  The proximal G-string is a positive
Ell-regulatory element on the LpS1-beta promoter that binds to ectoderm
specific and endoderm/mesoderm specific factors.  Other DNA-elements will
be identified on this promoter and the G-string factors will be cloned by
protein purification and homology with the mammalian factor, IFI. (4) To
determine the function of the Spec/LpS1 proteins.  Spec/LpS1 proteins are
hypothesized to function in transport of calcium across the ectoderm.
This will be tested using antisense procedures.  Reduced levels of
calcium should result in skeletal defects in the embryo. (5) To test if
suppressive cellular interactions repress Spec gene expression in
non-aboral ectoderm cells.  In the absence of cell interactions,
blastomeres exhibit greater developmental potential than in the intact
embryo.  It will be determined if the Veg2 tier is capable of activating
Spec genes in isolation and if this activation is suppressed upon
co-culture with animal blastomeres.  These experiments should lead to an
understanding of Spec/LpS1 gene activation and its relationship to aboral
ectoderm specification.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198607
- **Project number:** 5R01HD022619-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **SAM.gov UEI:** S3GMKS8ELA16
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM H. KLEIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $211,045
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-02-01 → 1997-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198607

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198607, A GENE FAMILY EXPRESSED IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYONIC ECTODERM (5R01HD022619-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198607. Licensed CC0.

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