Stepwise metamorphosis of the tubeworm Hydroides elegans is mediated by a bacterial inducer and MAPK signaling
Abstract
Free-swimming larvae of many animals that inhabit the sea floor metamorphose in response to bacteria. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin animal metamorphosis in response to bacterial triggers remain elusive. We investigated the developmental cascade induced by bacteria in a model tubeworm, Hydroides elegans , and identified a bacterial mutant and host signaling system critical for the initiation of and tissue remodeling during metamorphic development, respectively. Identifying the triggers for metamorphosis in Hydroides has implications for understanding basic principles of bacteria–animal interactions. Such interactions are also major causes of biofouling, which our research indicates may be controlled by manipulating bacterial inducers or MAPK activities that are essential for tubeworm metamorphosis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Aug 22, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1603142113
Entities
People
- Dianne Newman
- Igor Antoshechkin
- João M. Medeiros
- Martin Pilhofer
- Nicholas J Shikuma
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology
- ETH Zurich
- Helmut Horten Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Swiss National Science Foundation