The loss of the classical embryonic inducer noggin1 in cartilaginous fish may be associated with the formation of their unique skeleton
The noggin1 has been described as one of the key embryonic inducers in vertebrates. Researchers from the Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Embryogenesis, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, have discovered a unique case of loss of the noggin1 in cartilaginous fish - ancient representatives of modern gnathostomes. The noggin2 and noggin4, conserved in sharks, were studied in the embryos of the grey catshark Chiloscyllium griseum and demonstrate similarities in expression and functional properties with orthologs in other gnathostomes. Since one of the key functions of Noggin1 is to modulate the activity of the BMP signaling pathway involved in the development of skeletal elements of the embryo, it was hypothesized that the loss of noggin1 in cartilaginous fishes is associated with the formation of their unique cartilaginous skeleton. The development of a cartilaginous skeleton and the loss of the noggin1 in cartilaginous fishes are considered to be secondary phenomena that occurred as a result of evolutionary specialization. The results are published in Scientific Reports. Learn more
february 19