Comparative genomics of large mitochondria in placozoans.
PLoS Genetics, 2007 The first sequenced mitochondrial genome of a placozoan, Trichoplax adhaerens, challenged the conventional wisdom that a compact mitochondrial genome is a common feature among all animals.
Ana Y Signorovitch +2 more
doaj +1 more source
Comparative genomics of neuroglobin reveals its early origins. [PDF]
PLoS ONE, 2012 Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a hexacoordinated globin expressed mainly in the central and peripheral nervous system of vertebrates. Although several hypotheses have been put forward regarding the role of neuroglobin, its definite function remains uncertain.
Jasmin Dröge +3 more
doaj +1 more source
Concatenated analysis sheds light on early metazoan evolution and fuels a modern "urmetazoon" hypothesis. [PDF]
PLoS Biology, 2009 For more than a century, the origin of metazoan animals has been debated. One aspect of this debate has been centered on what the hypothetical "urmetazoon" bauplan might have been.
Bernd Schierwater +7 more
doaj +1 more source
Early evolution of the LIM homeobox gene family
BMC Biology, 2010 Background LIM homeobox (Lhx) transcription factors are unique to the animal lineage and have patterning roles during embryonic development in flies, nematodes and vertebrates, with a conserved role in specifying neuronal identity.
Degnan Bernard M +6 more
doaj +1 more source
Phylogenetic position of Placozoa based on large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU) rRNA genes
Genetics and Molecular Biology, 2007 The phylum Placozoa, represented by its single species Trichoplax adhaerens, has always been considered one of the most basal animal clades due to its low morphological complexity.
Fernanda Britto da Silva +2 more
doaj +1 more source
The origin and evolution of G protein-coupled receptor kinases. [PDF]
PLoS ONE, 2012 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) play key role in homologous desensitization of GPCRs. GRKs phosphorylate activated receptors, promoting high affinity binding of arrestins, which precludes G protein coupling.
Arcady Mushegian +2 more
doaj +1 more source
Global diversity of the Placozoa.
PLoS ONE, 2013 The enigmatic animal phylum Placozoa holds a key position in the metazoan Tree of Life. A simple bauplan makes it appear to be the most basal metazoan known and genetic evidence also points to a position close to the last common metazoan ancestor ...
Michael Eitel +3 more
doaj +1 more source
Beyond the Secretory Pathway: New Insights Into Protein Release
Traffic, Volume 26, Issue 10-12, October/December 2025.While proteins bearing N‐terminal signal or leader sequences are secreted via the ER‐Golgi‐plasma membrane axis of the conventional secretion pathway, many cytosolic proteins lacking signaling sequence can be secreted via poorly defined mechanisms termed Unconventional Protein Secretion (UcPS).
Ruey‐Hwa Chen +34 more
wiley +1 more source
Identification of 526 conserved metazoan genetic innovations exposes a new role for cofactor E-like in neuronal microtubule homeostasis. [PDF]
PLoS Genetics, 2013 The evolution of metazoans from their choanoflagellate-like unicellular ancestor coincided with the acquisition of novel biological functions to support a multicellular lifestyle, and eventually, the unique cellular and physiological demands of ...
Melissa Y Frédéric +11 more
doaj +1 more source
Invertebrate Bile Acid‐Sensitive Ion Channels and Their Emergence in Bilateria
The FASEB Journal, Volume 39, Issue 8, 30 April 2025.This graphical abstract presents the evolutionary distribution and functional characteristics of bile acid‐sensing ion channels (BASICs) across bilaterians. A phylogenetic tree illustrates the presence of BASICs in diverse groups, extending beyond previously established mammalian findings.
Josep Martí‐Solans +4 more
wiley +1 more source