Phylogenetic analysis and expression patterns of p16 and p19 in Paracentrotus lividus embryos

P16 and P19 are two small acidic proteins involved in the formation of the biomineralized skeleton of sea urchin embryos and adults. Here, we describe the cloning and the embryonic temporal and spatial expression profiles of p16 and p19 mRNAs, identified for the first time in Paracentrotus lividus. Phylogenetic analysis showed a high degree of similarity of the deduced Pl-P16 and Pl-P19 sequences with the Lytechinus variegatus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus orthologs. While only a reduced similarity with other phyla, including mammals, was detected, their implication in biomineralized tissues calls for their conservation in evolution. By comparative quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization, we found that Pl-p16 and Pl-p19 expression was restricted to skeletogenic cells throughout embryogenesis, with transcript levels peaking at the late gastrula stage. Dissimilar Pl-p16 and Pl-p19 spatial expression within the primary mesenchyme cell syncytium at the gastrula and pluteus stages suggests the occurrence of a different regulation of gene transcription.