Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have raised two questions about the evolutionary history of the calcified exoskeleton of mollusks. The first question concerns the homology of the two types of skeleton: whether spicules and shell plates share an evolutionary origin. The second question is the homology of the shell plates between chitons and other mollusks, including gastropods and bivalves.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a linear polymer of phosphate that plays various roles in cells, including in phosphate and metal homeostasis. Homologs of the vacuolar transporter chaperone 4 (VTC4), catalyzing polyP synthesis in many eukaryotes, are absent in red algae, which are among the earliest divergent plant lineages. We identified homologs of polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1), a conserved polyP synthase in bacteria, in 42 eukaryotic genomes, including 31 species detected in this study and 12 species of red algae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExperiences in gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs) could predict youth's academic engagement through improved social-emotional wellbeing (indicated by school belonging, hope, and positive and negative affect). This study utilized three waves of data, each spaced 2-3 months apart, among 627 youth (87% LGBQ+, 45% trans/nonbinary, 48% youth of color) ages 11-22 (M = 15.13) in 51 GSAs in the United States in 2021-2022.
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