title: On the origin of Metazoan adhesion receptors: cloning of integrin alpha subunit from the sponge Geodia cydonium.
abstract: Integrins are prominent receptors known from vertebrates and the higher phyla of invertebrates. Until now, no evidence has been provided for the existence of integrins in the lowest Metazoa, the sponges (Porifera). We have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone encoding the alpha subunit of integrin from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium (GCINTEG). The open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 1,086 residues (118 kDa). The intracellular domain features the sequence Tyr-Phe-x-Gly-Phe-Phe-x-Arg, which is different in one residue from the characteristic consensus pattern for integrin alpha subunits. We conclude that sponges, the oldest multicellular animal phylum, already utilize the structural elements which are required for a tuned and controlled interaction among cells, and between cells and the extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pancer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; D011161:Porifera / Q000235:genetics*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016023:Integrins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; C094990:adhesion receptor