Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Overview
Full NameBranchiostoma lanceolatum
GenusBranchiostoma
Specieslanceolatum
Common NameAmphioxus
AbbreviationB. lanceolatum
Interest

The phylogenetic position of amphioxus, together with its relatively simple and evolutionarily conserved morphology and genome structure, has led to its use as a model for studies of vertebrate evolution. In particular, recent development of technical approaches, as well as access to the complete amphioxus genome sequence, for the Mediterranean amphioxus, Branchiostoma lanceolatum has provided the community with tools with which to study the invertebrate-chordate to vertebrate transition (Bertrand & Escriva, 2011).

Location:

Mediterranean Sea and North-East Atlantic

Attractive features
  • Controlled spawning induction
  • Transparent embryos
  • Micromanipulation techniques available allowing functional approaches in classical embryology and developmental biology
Contributions

Studies with different amphioxus species have helped answer questions about the evolution of the chordate genome, and particularly the evolution of the Hox cluster structure and cis-regulatory elements, the evolution of the control of axial patterning in chordates, and the appearance of vertebrate-specific structures such as the head.

Tools
  • Assembled and annotated genome sequence (550 MB) and many transcriptome resources soon publically available
  • Epigenomic resources including Chip-seq, ATAC-seq, Methylome, CAGE-seq, and 4C for a panel of transcription factors are available for several developmental stages
Drawbacks

Due to a short spawning period (May-July), in vivo experiments are restricted to a short period only. Their life cycle is also relatively long, about 2 years to reach adulthood, and no knockdown techniques are available (no morpholinos, RNAi or siRNA).

Selected references
  • Bertrand S. & Escriva H. (2011) Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: amphioxus. Development 138: 4819-30
Transcript Browser
The following browser provides a quick view for new visitors. Use the searching mechanism to find specific features.
NameUnique NameType
BlTCONS00113490BlTCONS00113490mRNA
BlTCONS00113491BlTCONS00113491transcript
BlTCONS00113492BlTCONS00113492transcript
BlTCONS00113493BlTCONS00113493transcript
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BlTCONS00113496BlTCONS00113496transcript
BlTCONS00113497BlTCONS00113497mRNA
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BlTCONS00113502BlTCONS00113502mRNA
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BlTCONS00113504BlTCONS00113504mRNA
BlTCONS00113505BlTCONS00113505mRNA
BlTCONS00113506BlTCONS00113506mRNA
BlTCONS00113507BlTCONS00113507mRNA
BlTCONS00113508BlTCONS00113508transcript
BlTCONS00113509BlTCONS00113509transcript
BlTCONS00113510BlTCONS00113510mRNA
BlTCONS00113511BlTCONS00113511mRNA
BlTCONS00113512BlTCONS00113512mRNA
BlTCONS00113513BlTCONS00113513transcript
BlTCONS00113514BlTCONS00113514mRNA

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