Change in expression of the actin gene family during early sea urchin development

Abstract

Expression of the actin gene family was studied during early sea urchin development using in vitro translation and nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Poly(A)+ RNA from four-cell and gastrula-stage S. purpuratus embryos was translated in vitro and the translation products were monitored for the presence of actin. In addition, poly(A)+ and total RNA were prepared from various stages of development, electrophoresed on agarose gels, transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, and then hybridized with a cloned actin cDNA probe. Results of these experiments indicate that there is a sharp increase in the level of RNA coding for actin during early development, and that there are two forms of actin specific RNA exhibiting different patterns of control.