The germline definition in metazoans was first based on few bilaterian models. As a result,
gene function interpretations were often based on phenotypes observed in those models and …

The Frizzled proteins (FZDs) are a family of trans‐membrane receptors that play pivotal roles
in Wnt pathways and thus in animal development. Based on evaluation of the Amphimedon …

The comparative study of the four non-bilaterian phyla (Cnidaria, Placozoa, Ctenophora,
Porifera) should provide insights into the origin of bilaterian traits. Except for Cnidaria, present …

Acquisition of multicellularity is a central event in the evolution of Eukaryota. Strikingly,
animal multicellularity coincides with the emergence of three intercellular communication …

Background The Planar Cell Polarity pathway (PCP) has been described as the main feature
involved in patterning cell orientation in bilaterian tissues. Recently, a similar phenomenon …

Porifera, commonly named sponges, are true animals or metazoan despite their anatomical
and morphological simplicity that had led to a long‐time debate about their nature (animal …

The Rho associated coiled-coil protein kinase (ROCK) plays crucial roles in development
across bilaterian animals. The fact that the Rho/Rock pathway is required to initiate epithelial …

The Porifera are one of the best candidates as the sister group to all other metazoans. Studies
on this phylum are therefore expected to shed light on the origin and early evolution of key …

The majority of extant metazoans are animals with bilateral symmetry, a gut, a central nervous
system and a head; they are grouped in a taxon named Bilateria. As a consequence, most …

The emergence of multicellular metazoans from a unicellular ancestor is one of the most
important advances in the history of life. Elucidating molecular and cellular processes …