0000000000429072
AUTHOR
Noriyuki Satoh
The ‘Shellome’ of the Crocus Clam Tridacna crocea Emphasizes Essential Components of Mollusk Shell Biomineralization
Molluscan shells are among the most fascinating research objects because of their diverse morphologies and textures. The formation of these delicate biomineralized structures is a matrix-mediated process. A question that arises is what are the essential components required to build these exoskeletons. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of molluscan shell formation, it is crucial to identify organic macromolecules in different shells from diverse taxa. In the case of bivalves, however, taxon sampling in previous shell proteomics studies are focused predominantly on representatives of the class Pteriomorphia such as pearl oysters, edible oysters and mussels. In this study, we hav…
Biochemical characterization of the skeletal matrix of the massive coral, Porites australiensis - The saccharide moieties and their localization.
11 pages; International audience; To construct calcium carbonate skeletons of sophisticated architecture, scleractinian corals secrete an extracellular skeletal organic matrix (SOM) from aboral ectodermal cells. The SOM, which is composed of proteins, saccharides, and lipids, performs functions critical for skeleton formation. Even though polysaccharides constitute the major component of the SOM, its contribution to coral skeleton formation is poorly understood. To this end, we analyzed the SOM of the massive colonial coral, Porites australiensis, the skeleton of which has drawn great research interest because it records environmental conditions throughout the life of the colony. The coral …
Mitigating anticipated effects of systematic errors supports sister-group relationship between Xenacoelomorpha and Ambulacraria.
International audience; Xenoturbella and the acoelomorph worms (Xenacoelomorpha) are simple marine animals with controversial affinities. They have been placed as the sister group of all other bilaterian animals (Nephrozoa hypothesis), implying their simplicity is an ancient characteristic ]; alternatively, they have been linked to the complex Ambulacraria (echinoderms and hemichordates) in a clade called the Xenambulacraria , suggesting their simplicity evolved by reduction from a complex ancestor. The difficulty resolving this problem implies the phylogenetic signal supporting the correct solution is weak and affected by inadequate modeling, creating a misleading non-phylogenetic signal. …