The Amphimedon queenslandica genome and the evolution of animal complexity
Mansi Srivastava, Oleg Simakov, Jarrod Chapman, Bryony Fahey, Marie E. A. Gauthier, Therese Mitros, Gemma S. Richards, Cecilia Conaco, Michael Dacre, Uffe Hellsten, Claire Larroux, Nicholas H. Putnam, Mario Stanke, Maja Adamska, Aaron Darling, Sandie M. Degnan, Todd H. Oakley, David C. Plachetzki, Yufeng Zhai, Marcin Adamski, Andrew Calcino, Scott F. Cummins, David M. Goodstein, Christina Harris, Daniel J. Jackson et al.
Corresponding authorsNature 466, 720–726 (05 August 2010) doi:10.1038/nature09201Received 31 December 2009 Accepted 24 May 2010
Abstract
Sponges are an ancient group of animals that diverged from other metazoans over 600 million years ago. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Amphimedon queenslandica, a demosponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and show that it is remarkably similar to other animal genomes in content, structure and organization. Comparative analysis enabled by the sequencing of the sponge genome reveals genomic events linked to the origin and early evolution of animals, including the appearance, expansion and diversification of pan-metazoan transcription factor, signalling pathway and structural genes. This diverse ‘toolkit’ of genes correlates with critical aspects of all metazoan body plans, and comprises cell cycle control and growth, development, somatic- and germ-cell specification, cell adhesion, innate immunity and allorecognition. Notably, many of the genes associated with the emergence of animals are also implicated in cancer, which arises from defects in basic processes associated with metazoan multicellularity.
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