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Shabardina V, Dharamshi JE, Ara PS, Antó M, Bascón FJ, Suga H, Marshall W, Scazzocchio C, Casacuberta E, Ruiz-Trillo I. Ichthyosporea: a window into the origin of animals. Commun Biol 2024; 7:915. [PMID: 39075159 PMCID: PMC11286789 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06608-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Ichthyosporea is an underexplored group of unicellular eukaryotes closely related to animals. Thanks to their phylogenetic position, genomic content, and development through a multinucleate coenocyte reminiscent of some animal embryos, the members of Ichthyosporea are being increasingly recognized as pivotal to the study of animal origins. We delve into the existing knowledge of Ichthyosporea, identify existing gaps and discuss their life cycles, genomic insights, development, and potential to be model organisms. We also discuss the underestimated diversity of ichthyosporeans, based on new environmental data analyses. This review will be an essential resource for researchers venturing into the study of ichthyosporeans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Shabardina
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jennah E Dharamshi
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patricia S Ara
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Antó
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando J Bascón
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hiroshi Suga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Shobara, Japan
| | - Wyth Marshall
- Bluefrontier Biological Services, Campbell River, BC, Canada
| | - Claudio Scazzocchio
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Elena Casacuberta
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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González-Pech RA, Li VY, Garcia V, Boville E, Mammone M, Kitano H, Ritchie KB, Medina M. The Evolution, Assembly, and Dynamics of Marine Holobionts. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2024; 16:443-466. [PMID: 37552896 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-022123-104345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The holobiont concept (i.e., multiple living beings in close symbiosis with one another and functioning as a unit) is revolutionizing our understanding of biology, especially in marine systems. The earliest marine holobiont was likely a syntrophic partnership of at least two prokaryotic members. Since then, symbiosis has enabled marine organisms to conquer all ocean habitats through the formation of holobionts with a wide spectrum of complexities. However, most scientific inquiries have focused on isolated organisms and their adaptations to specific environments. In this review, we attempt to illustrate why a holobiont perspective-specifically, the study of how numerous organisms form a discrete ecological unit through symbiosis-will be a more impactful strategy to advance our understanding of the ecology and evolution of marine life. We argue that this approach is instrumental in addressing the threats to marine biodiversity posed by the current global environmental crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl A González-Pech
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Vivian Y Li
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Vanessa Garcia
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Elizabeth Boville
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Marta Mammone
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
| | | | - Kim B Ritchie
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina, Beaufort, South Carolina, USA;
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; , , , , ,
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Ruiz-Trillo I, Kin K, Casacuberta E. The Origin of Metazoan Multicellularity: A Potential Microbial Black Swan Event. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:499-516. [PMID: 37406343 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-120023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of animals from their unicellular ancestors is a major evolutionary event. Thanks to the study of diverse close unicellular relatives of animals, we now have a better grasp of what the unicellular ancestor of animals was like. However, it is unclear how that unicellular ancestor of animals became the first animals. To explain this transition, two popular theories, the choanoblastaea and the synzoospore, have been proposed. We will revise and expose the flaws in these two theories while showing that, due to the limits of our current knowledge, the origin of animals is a biological black swan event. As such, the origin of animals defies retrospective explanations. Therefore, we should be extra careful not to fall for confirmation biases based on few data and, instead, embrace this uncertainty and be open to alternative scenarios. With the aim to broaden the potential explanations on how animals emerged, we here propose two novel and alternative scenarios. In any case, to find the answer to how animals evolved, additional data will be required, as will the hunt for microscopic creatures that are closely related to animals but have not yet been sampled and studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain;
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Koryu Kin
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Elena Casacuberta
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain;
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Gomis-Rüth FX, Stöcker W. Structural and evolutionary insights into astacin metallopeptidases. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 9:1080836. [PMID: 36685277 PMCID: PMC9848320 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1080836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The astacins are a family of metallopeptidases (MPs) that has been extensively described from animals. They are multidomain extracellular proteins, which have a conserved core architecture encompassing a signal peptide for secretion, a prodomain or prosegment and a zinc-dependent catalytic domain (CD). This constellation is found in the archetypal name-giving digestive enzyme astacin from the European crayfish Astacus astacus. Astacin catalytic domains span ∼200 residues and consist of two subdomains that flank an extended active-site cleft. They share several structural elements including a long zinc-binding consensus sequence (HEXXHXXGXXH) immediately followed by an EXXRXDRD motif, which features a family-specific glutamate. In addition, a downstream SIMHY-motif encompasses a "Met-turn" methionine and a zinc-binding tyrosine. The overall architecture and some structural features of astacin catalytic domains match those of other more distantly related MPs, which together constitute the metzincin clan of metallopeptidases. We further analysed the structures of PRO-, MAM, TRAF, CUB and EGF-like domains, and described their essential molecular determinants. In addition, we investigated the distribution of astacins across kingdoms and their phylogenetic origin. Through extensive sequence searches we found astacin CDs in > 25,000 sequences down the tree of life from humans beyond Metazoa, including Choanoflagellata, Filasterea and Ichtyosporea. We also found < 400 sequences scattered across non-holozoan eukaryotes including some fungi and one virus, as well as in selected taxa of archaea and bacteria that are pathogens or colonizers of animal hosts, but not in plants. Overall, we propose that astacins originate in the root of Holozoa consistent with Darwinian descent and that the latter genes might be the result of horizontal gene transfer from holozoan donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain,*Correspondence: F. Xavier Gomis-Rüth, ; Walter Stöcker,
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institute of Molecular Physiology (IMP), Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (JGU), Mainz, Germany,*Correspondence: F. Xavier Gomis-Rüth, ; Walter Stöcker,
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Metz S, Huber P, Accattatis V, Lopes Dos Santos A, Bigeard E, Unrein F, Chambouvet A, Not F, Lara E, Devercelli M. Freshwater protists: unveiling the unexplored in a large floodplain system. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:1731-1745. [PMID: 34783136 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Protists play a fundamental role in all ecosystems, but we are still far from estimating the total diversity of many lineages, in particular in highly diverse environments, such as freshwater. Here, we survey the protist diversity of the Paraná River using metabarcoding, and we applied an approach that includes sequence similarity and phylogeny to evaluate the degree of genetic novelty of the protists' communities against the sequences described in the reference database PR2 . We observed that ~28% of the amplicon sequence variants were classified as novel according to their similarity with sequences from the reference database; most of them were related to heterotrophic groups traditionally overlooked in freshwater systems. This lack of knowledge extended to those groups within the green algae (Archaeplastida) that are well documented such as Mamiellophyceae, and also to the less studied Pedinophyceae, for which we found sequences representing novel deep-branching clusters. Among the groups with potential novel protists, Bicosoecida (Stramenopiles) were the best represented, followed by Codosiga (Opisthokonta), and the Perkinsea (Alveolata). This illustrates the lack of knowledge on freshwater planktonic protists and also the need for isolation and/or cultivation of new organisms to better understand their role in ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Metz
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, Plouzané, F-29280, France.,Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), UNSAM-CONICET, Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Huber
- Departamento de Hidrobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luiz, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Victoria Accattatis
- Departamento de Hidrobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luiz, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
| | | | - Estelle Bigeard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin UMR7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, 29680, France
| | - Fernando Unrein
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), UNSAM-CONICET, Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Fabrice Not
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin UMR7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, 29680, France
| | - Enrique Lara
- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, CSIC, Madrid, 28014, Spain
| | - Melina Devercelli
- Departamento de Hidrobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luiz, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13565-905, Brazil
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Burki F, Sandin MM, Jamy M. Diversity and ecology of protists revealed by metabarcoding. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R1267-R1280. [PMID: 34637739 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Protists are the dominant eukaryotes in the biosphere where they play key functional roles. While protists have been studied for over a century, it is the high-throughput sequencing of molecular markers from environmental samples - the approach of metabarcoding - that has revealed just how diverse, and abundant, these small organisms are. Metabarcoding is now routine to survey environmental diversity, so data have rapidly accumulated from a multitude of environments and at different sampling scales. This mass of data has provided unprecedented opportunities to study the taxonomic and functional diversity of protists, and how this diversity is organised in space and time. Here, we use metabarcoding as a common thread to discuss the state of knowledge in protist diversity research, from technical considerations of the approach to important insights gained on diversity patterns and the processes that might have structured this diversity. In addition to these insights, we conclude that metabarcoding is on the verge of an exciting added dimension thanks to the maturation of high-throughput long-read sequencing, so that a robust eco-evolutionary framework of protist diversity is within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Burki
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden; Science For Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Miguel M Sandin
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mahwash Jamy
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
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Ros-Rocher N, Pérez-Posada A, Leger MM, Ruiz-Trillo I. The origin of animals: an ancestral reconstruction of the unicellular-to-multicellular transition. Open Biol 2021; 11:200359. [PMID: 33622103 PMCID: PMC8061703 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
How animals evolved from a single-celled ancestor, transitioning from a unicellular lifestyle to a coordinated multicellular entity, remains a fascinating question. Key events in this transition involved the emergence of processes related to cell adhesion, cell–cell communication and gene regulation. To understand how these capacities evolved, we need to reconstruct the features of both the last common multicellular ancestor of animals and the last unicellular ancestor of animals. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the characterization of these ancestors, inferred by comparative genomic analyses between the earliest branching animals and those radiating later, and between animals and their closest unicellular relatives. We also provide an updated hypothesis regarding the transition to animal multicellularity, which was likely gradual and involved the use of gene regulatory mechanisms in the emergence of early developmental and morphogenetic plans. Finally, we discuss some new avenues of research that will complement these studies in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Ros-Rocher
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alberto Pérez-Posada
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Carretera de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain
| | - Michelle M Leger
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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McGrath C. Highlight: A Search for New Species on the High Seas. Genome Biol Evol 2020. [PMCID: PMC7533065 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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