PfSMAD4 plays a role in biomineralization and can transduce bone morphogenetic protein-2 signals in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mollusca is the second largest phylum in nature. The shell of molluscs is a remarkable example of a natural composite biomaterial. Biomineralization and how it affects mollusks is a popular research topic. The BMP-2 signaling pathway plays a canonical role in biomineralization. SMAD4 is an intracellular transmitter in the BMP signaling pathway in mammals, and some genomic data show SMAD4's involvement in BMP signaling in invertebrates, but whether SMAD4 plays a conservative role in pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata, still need to be tested.

Results

In this study, we identified a SMAD4 gene (hereafter designated PfSMAD4) in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. Bioinformatics analysis of PfSMAD4 showed high identity with its orthologs. PfSMAD4 was located in the cytoplasm in i

SUBMITTER: Zhao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4845351 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature