The Complicated Evolutionary Diversification of the Mpeg-1/Perforin-2 Family in Cnidarians.

ABSTRACT: The invertebrate innate immune system is surprisingly complex, yet our knowledge is limited to a few select model systems. One understudied group is the phylum Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, etc.). Cnidarians are the sister group to Bilateria and by studying their innate immunity repertoire, a better understanding of the ancestral state can be gained. Corals in particular have evolved a highly diverse innate immune system that can uncover evolutionarily basal functions of conserved genes and proteins. One rudimentary function of the innate immune system is defense against harmful bacteria using pore forming proteins. Macrophage expressed gene 1/Perforin-2 protein (Mpeg-1/P2) is a particularly important pore forming molecule as demonstrated by previous studies in humans and mice, and limit

SUBMITTER: Walters BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7424014 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature