Co-expression of synaptic genes in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica uncovers ancient neural submodules.

ABSTRACT: The synapse is a complex cellular module crucial to the functioning of neurons. It evolved largely through the exaptation of pre-existing smaller submodules, each of which are comprised of ancient sets of proteins that are conserved in modern animals and other eukaryotes. Although these ancient submodules themselves have non-neural roles, it has been hypothesized that they may mediate environmental sensing behaviors in aneural animals, such as sponges. Here we identify orthologues in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica of genes encoding synaptic submodules in neural animals, and analyse their cell-type specific and developmental expression to determine their potential to be co-regulated. We find that genes comprising certain synaptic submodules, including those involved in vesicle traffick

SUBMITTER: Wong E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6823388 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature