Development of calcareous skeletal elements in invertebrates

Most metazoans require skeletal support systems. While the formation of bones and teeth in vertebrates has been well studied, endo- and exoskeleton development of non-vertebrates, especially calcification during terminal differentiation, has been neglected. Biomineralization of skeletons in inverteb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Differentiation (London) 2003-06, Vol.71 (4), p.237-250
Main Authors: Wilt, Fred H., Killian, Christopher E., Livingston, Brian T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
biomineralization
carapace
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis
Cell physiology
Crustacea
Deuterostoma
endoskeleton
exoskeleton
exoskeleton, endoskeleton
Extracellular Matrix Proteins - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates - embryology
Invertebrates - growth & development
Molecular and cellular biology
Mollusca
shell
skeletogenesis
Skeleton
spicule
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Summary:Most metazoans require skeletal support systems. While the formation of bones and teeth in vertebrates has been well studied, endo- and exoskeleton development of non-vertebrates, especially calcification during terminal differentiation, has been neglected. Biomineralization of skeletons in invertebrates presents interesting research opportunities. We undertake here to survey some of the better understood examples of skeletal development in selected invertebrates. The differentiation of the skeletal spicules of euechinoid larvae and other non-vertebrate deuterostomes, the shells of molluscs, and the calcification of crustacean carapaces are surveyed. The diversity of these different kinds of animals and our present limited understanding make it difficult to identify unifying themes, but there certainly are unifying questions: How is the mineral precursor secreted? What is the nature of the interaction of mineral with the matrix proteins of the skeleton? Is there any conservation of protein domains in matrix proteins found in skeletal elements from different phyla? Are there common strategies in the development of organs that form mineralized structures?
ISSN:0301-4681
1432-0436
DOI:10.1046/j.1432-0436.2003.7104501.x