LpM

Function

LpM gene codes for the muscle-specific type actin late in embryogenesis. It is genetically isolated from the cytosceletal actin genes (Fang et al., 1996). Actin represents one of the most abundunt and best characterized structural components in eucaryotic cells, involved in a wide variety of cytoskeletal, locomotive, and tension-generating functions (Davidson, 1989).
Each haploid L. pictus genome contains a single copy of each of the actin genes LpC1, LpC2, LpC3, LpC4, and LpM. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA clones have detected no close linkage of L.pictus actin genes in contrast to the cytosceletal actins of S. purpuratus, which are clustered into two linkage groups of related genes (Fang et al., 1996).

Protein

LpM protein is the muscle-specific actin (Fang et al., 1996).
SWISS_PROT: Q25381

Subcellular location

Cytoplasmic

Expression Pattern

LpM mRNA is first detected at the late gastrula-prism stage and is present in several cells at the tip of archenteron at the prism stage. These cells are the precursors of the esophageal muscle cells (EMCs).
At the pluteus stage the LpM mRNA is detected in the muscle cells which form contractile bands surrounding the esophagus.
Later in development the gene is expressed in the esophageal contractile band (Fang et al., 1996).

mRNA level

Temporal accumulation
Method: Nothern blot hybridization
Reference: Fang et al., 1996

Stage Egg Blastula Late gastrula/prism Prism Pluteus Pluteus larva

Level - - - + + + +

Spatial localization
Method: Whole mount in situ hybridization
Reference: Fang et al., 1996

Stage Egg Blastula Late gastrula/prism Prism Pluteus Pluteus larva

Tissue - - precursors of EMCs precursors of EMCs EMCs esophageal contractile band