Expression of the tissue specific transcription factor Pit-1 in the lancelet, Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Lancelets, known also as amphioxus, are protochordates that share common archetypal features with vertebrates. Recently, several developmental and molecular biology studies have pointed out homologies between anatomical structures of lancelets and vertebrates. We have studied the head region of the lancelet, Branchiostoma lanceolatum, by means of scanning electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and Western blotting techniques, to localize the pituitary-specific transcription factor, Pit-1. Immunoreactive Pit-1 protein has been found in cells of two typical structures of the lancelets, the Ko¨lliker's and Hatschek's pits. Moreover, the frontal eye complex, neurons, and the rostral nerves show Pit-1 immunoreactivity. A band of 33 kilodaltons has been resolved in lancelet extracts by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and after Western blotting, the bands have been probed by a monoclonal antibody to rat Pit-1. Our results demonstrate that Pit-1 is expressed in both neurones and receptosecretory epithelial cells of adult lancelets, and that the cells lining the two pits display ultrastructural and immunocytochemical features typical of chemoreceptosecretory/olfactory- and adenohypophyseal-like structures.