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Maintenance of ancestral complexity and non-metazoan genes in two basal cnidarians

2005; Elsevier BV; Volume: 21; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tig.2005.09.007

1362-4555

Ulrich Technau, Stephen Rudd, Alexander P. Maxwell, Paul M. K. Gordon, Michael Saina, Lauretta C. Grasso, David C. Hayward, Christoph W. Sensen, Robert Saint, Thomas W. Holstein, Eldon E. Ball, David J. Miller,

Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation

Cnidarians are among the simplest extant animals; however EST analyses reveal that they have a remarkably high level of genetic complexity. In this article, we show that the full diversity of metazoan signaling pathways is represented in this phylum, as are antagonists previously known only in chordates. Many of the cnidarian ESTs match genes previously known only in non-animal kingdoms. At least some of these represent ancient genes lost by all bilaterians examined so far, rather than genes gained by recent lateral gene transfer. Cnidarians are among the simplest extant animals; however EST analyses reveal that they have a remarkably high level of genetic complexity. In this article, we show that the full diversity of metazoan signaling pathways is represented in this phylum, as are antagonists previously known only in chordates. Many of the cnidarian ESTs match genes previously known only in non-animal kingdoms. At least some of these represent ancient genes lost by all bilaterians examined so far, rather than genes gained by recent lateral gene transfer. one of the four classes comprising the phylum Cnidaria. This class includes corals and sea anemones. those animals having true tissue level organization – includes the Cnidaria and the Bilateria ('higher' animals possessing bilateral symmetry), but not the sponges. the common ancestor of the Eumetazoa. a clade of molting animals that includes the arthropods and nematodes. a clade defined by possession of a lophophore and a trochophore larval stage. The most familiar members are annelids and molluscs.