Early evolution of animal cell signaling and adhesion genes.

ABSTRACT: In stark contrast to the rapid morphological radiation of eumetazoans during the Cambrian explosion, the simple body plan of sponges (Phylum Porifera) emerged from the Cambrian relatively unchanged. Although the genetic and developmental underpinnings of these disparate evolutionary outcomes are unknown, comparisons between modern sponges and eumetazoans promise to reveal the extent to which critical genetic factors were present in their common ancestors. Two particularly interesting classes of genes in this respect are those involved in cell signaling and adhesion. These genes help guide development and morphogenesis in modern eumetazoans, but the timing and sequence of their origins is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the sponge Oscarella carmela, one of the earliest branching animals,

SUBMITTER: Nichols SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1567900 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature