Title
Axis Patterning by BMPs: Cnidarian Network Reveals Evolutionary Constraints
Author
Patrick Fried
Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich
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Abstract
BMP signaling plays a crucial role in the establishment of the dorso-ventral body axis in bilaterally symmetric animals. However, the topologies of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling networks vary drastically in different animal groups, raising questions about the evolutionary constraints and evolvability of BMP signaling systems. Using loss-of-function analysis and mathematical modeling, we show that two signaling centers expressing different BMPs and BMP antagonists maintain the secondary axis of the sea anemone Nematostella. We demonstrate that BMP signaling is required for asymmetric Hox gene expression and mesentery formation. Computational analysis reveals that network parameters related to BMP4 and Chordin are constrained both in Nematostella and Xenopus, while those describing the BMP signaling modulators can vary significantly. Notably, only chordin, but not bmp4 expression needs to be spatially restricted for robust signaling gradient formation. Our data provide an explanation of the evolvability of BMP signaling systems in axis formation throughout Eumetazoa.
Object type
Language
English [eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:447463
Appeared in
Title
Cell Reports
Volume
10
Issue
10
From page
1646
To page
1654
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Date issued
2015
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