PostDoc Researcher
Unit for Theoretical Biology, Department of Evolutionary Biology
University of Vienna

Abstract

The cornified skin and its appendages, such as claws and hair, were major steps in the evolution of tetrapods. Cornification is a dynamic process which depends on several molecular mechanisms. For instance, the development of skin appendages such as claws and hair is regulated by the transcription factor Hoxc13, which is a conserved mechanism across tetrapods. Cornification requires crosslinking of structural proteins which is mediated by the enzyme family of transglutaminases (TGM). Mutations of TGMs can severely impair skin development. Homologs of the TGM family have been reported in primary aquatic vertebrates and lancelets. Thus, the molecular prerequisites of cornification predate tetrapods, but functions and expression sites in their aquatic ancestors remain largely unknown. The current project aims to investigate the expression sites and functions of TGMs in the aquatic ancestors of tetrapods to better understand the origin of cornification.