Calcareous sponge genomes reveal complex evolution of α-carbonic anhydrases and two key biomineralization enzymes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Calcium carbonate biominerals form often complex and beautiful skeletal elements, including coral exoskeletons and mollusc shells. Although the ability to generate these carbonate structures was apparently gained independently during animal evolution, it sometimes involves the same gene families. One of the best-studied of these gene families comprises the α- carbonic anhydrases (CAs), which catalyse the reversible transformation of CO2 to HCO3 - and fulfill many physiological functions. Among Porifera -the oldest animal phylum with the ability to produce skeletal elements- only the class of calcareous sponges can build calcitic spicules, which are the extracellular products of specialized cells, the sclerocytes. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of their sy

SUBMITTER: Voigt O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4265532 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature