The Hidden World of Sea Anemone's Life Changes

Sea anemones, those fascinating creatures from the ocean, have a lot to teach us about how life evolved from simple to complex forms. They belong to a group of animals called Cnidaria, which are some of the earliest branching members of the animal kingdom. Scientists have been studying the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, to understand how its external structure, known as the extracellular matrix (ECM), changes throughout its life. The ECM is like the glue that holds cells together and helps them stick to surfaces. In sea anemones, the ECM is produced mainly by cells in the inner layer of their bodies. This inner layer is similar to the mesoderm found in more complex animals, like humans. As the sea anemone grows from a larva to a polyp, there are big changes in its ECM. For example, there is an increase in proteins that break down other proteins, called metalloproteases, and components that make up the basement membrane, which is like a foundation for cells. One interesting finding is that the sea anemone has a diverse family of proteins called SVEP1/Polydom. These proteins are involved in remodeling the epithelium, which is the layer of cells that covers the surface of the body. Additionally, factors related to the Wnt/PCP pathway, which is involved in cell movement and arrangement, are also enriched during this transition. This suggests that directed cell rearrangements play a significant role in the polyp's development. As the sea anemone matures into an adult polyp, its ECM continues to evolve. Proteins involved in wound healing are found in the mesoglea, which is the jelly-like layer between the two cell layers of the body. This indicates that the molecular patterns involved in growth and regeneration are similar. Overall, this study highlights the conserved networks of ECM proteins that coordinate the various stages of the sea anemone's life history. Understanding these processes in sea anemones can provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of development and morphogenesis in all animals. It's a reminder that even the simplest organisms can offer profound insights into the complexities of life.