Produce, carry/position, and connect: morphogenesis using rigid materials. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Funayama, Noriko
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in genetics & development. Volume 57(2019)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Genetics -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Developmental genetics -- Periodicals; 576.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-437X

Abstract

Abstract : Animal morphogenesis can be summarized as a reconfiguration of a mass of cells. Although extracellular matrices that include rigid skeletal elements, such as cartilage/bones and exoskeletons, have important roles in morphogenesis, they are also secreted in situ by accumulated cells or epithelial cells. In contrast, recent studies of the skeleton construction of sponges (Porifera) illuminate a conceptually different mechanism of morphogenesis in which cells manipulate rather fine rigid materials (spicules) to form larger structures. Here, two different types of sponge skeleton formation using calcareous spicules or siliceous spicules are compared with regard to the concept of the production of rigid materials and their use in skeletons. The comparison highlights the advantages of their different strategies of forming sponge skeletons.