Genetic parallels in biomineralization of the calcareous sponge <i>Sycon ciliatum</i> and stony corals.

ABSTRACT: The rapid emergence of mineralized structures in diverse animal groups during the late Ediacaran and early Cambrian periods likely resulted from modifications of pre-adapted biomineralization genes inherited from a common ancestor. As the oldest extant phylum with mineralized structures, sponges are key to understanding animal biomineralization. Yet, the biomineralization process in sponges, particularly in forming spicules, is not well understood. To address this, we conducted transcriptomic, genomic, and proteomic analyses on the calcareous sponge Sycon ciliatum, supplemented by in situ hybridization. We identified 829 genes overexpressed in regions of increased calcite spicule formation, including 17 calcarins-proteins analogous to corals' galaxins localized in the spicule

SUBMITTER: Voigt O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12419799 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature