Evolutionary BiologybioRxiv
Possible co-option of a VEGF-driven tubulogenesis program for biomineralization in echinoderms
S. Ben-Tabou de-Leon, T. Gildor, N. Sher…·L. Khalaily
This study identifies parallels between VEGF-driven tubulogenesis in sea urchin spiculogenesis and vertebrate vascularization, suggesting a shared ancestral program co-opted for biomineralization.
DOI 10.1073/pnas.1902126116