Journal
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
Volume 91, Issue 10, Pages 809-817Publisher
ELSEVIER GMBH
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2012.08.003
Keywords
Metazoa; Molecular phylogeny; Hemichordates; Cnidaria; Radiata
Categories
Funding
- Fonds der Chemischen Industrie
- DFG [MA-1316]
- BMBF (network EB)
- Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, TRM, Leipzig, PtJ-Bio [0315883]
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The cytoskeleton is crucial in determining cell architecture, division, motility, transport processes and in local control of signal transduction. Relatives of actin and tubulin are expressed in all phyla, underlining the fundamental importance of conserved cytoskeletal functions. Intermediate filament proteins have evolved in parallel with tissue diversity in the animal kingdom, likely from the demand to adapt one class of cytoskeletal proteins to cell type-restricted functions. Up to now, the evolutionary origin of cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins remains unknown. Using a known gene encoding a cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein from the hemichordate Saccoglossus kowalevskii, we have identified the first corresponding gene in the sea anemone Nematostella, tentatively named cytovec. Our data reveal a relationship of cytovec with Hydra vulgaris nematocilins A and B that also lack a CAAX box. In light of additional recent findings, our data show that cytoplasmic intermediate filament genes are present in the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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