Unexpected diversity of cnidarian integrins: expression during coral gastrulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adhesion mediated through the integrin family of cell surface receptors is central to early development throughout the Metazoa, playing key roles in cell-extra cellular matrix adhesion and modulation of cadherin activity during the convergence and extension movements of gastrulation. It has been suggested that Caenorhabditis elegans, which has a single beta and two alpha integrins, might reflect the ancestral integrin complement. Investigation of the integrin repertoire of anthozoan cnidarians such as the coral Acropora millepora is required to test this hypothesis and may provide insights into the original roles of these molecules.

Results

Two novel integrins were identified in Acropora. AmItgalpha1 shows features characteristic of alpha integrins lacking an I-do

SUBMITTER: Knack BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2397394 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature