600-Million-Year-Old Evolutionary Blueprint Uncovered in Sea Anemones

Quick Summary

• A study from the University of Vienna found that sea anemones use a molecular mechanism called BMP shuttling, previously known in bilaterian animals, to form their back-to-belly body axis.
• BMP shuttling involves Bone morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and the inhibitor Chordin to create signaling gradients that direct embryonic cell development.
• The research showed that diffusible chordin acts as a shuttle in sea anemones, shaping their body axis similarly to flies and frogs.
• This suggests the mechanism might have originated over 600 million years ago, before cnidarians and bilaterians diverged evolutionarily.
• Findings question whether bilateral symmetry evolved independently in multiple lineages or existed in a common ancestor of both groups.

Indian Opinion Analysis
This finding holds broader implications for understanding evolutionary biology, including how fundamental mechanisms underpinning body plans developed early across diverse animal taxa. By showing shared molecular processes between bilaterally symmetric cnidarians like sea anemones and bilaterians (including humans),the findings highlight deep genetic connections across life forms spanning hundreds of millions of years. India’s interest in scientific advancements worldwide makes this study noteworthy for its contribution to piecing together life’s evolutionary puzzle-knowledge perhaps relevant not just academically but also for biotechnological applications where developmental biology plays key roles.

Read More