Spatio-temporal expression of a gene encoding a putative RNA-binding protein during the early larval development of the mollusc Patella vulgata

Abstract.

In the mollusc Patella vulgata a cDNA clone named Esther 32 (E32) was found to be expressed in a specific spatio-temporal pattern. DNA sequence analysis showed that E32 represents a putative RNA-binding protein containing a KH domain. In early trochophore larvae, expression of E32 was found in all cells except the already differentiated trochoblasts and the apical tuft cells. Later on in development, expression was also abolished in the presumptive shell gland and restricted to specific areas, among which were the head and foot anlage. This suggests that E32 is involved in maintaining cells in an undifferentiated state via a post-transcriptional mechanism.