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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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2
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High-efficiency transformation of the chlorarachniophyte Amorphochlora amoebiformis by electroporation. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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3
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Pollak B, Matute T, Nuñez I, Cerda A, Lopez C, Vargas V, Kan A, Bielinski V, von Dassow P, Dupont CL, Federici F. Universal loop assembly: open, efficient and cross-kingdom DNA fabrication. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 5:ysaa001. [PMID: 32161816 PMCID: PMC7052795 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Standardized type IIS DNA assembly methods are becoming essential for biological engineering and research. These methods are becoming widespread and more accessible due to the proposition of a 'common syntax' that enables higher interoperability between DNA libraries. Currently, Golden Gate (GG)-based assembly systems, originally implemented in host-specific vectors, are being made compatible with multiple organisms. We have recently developed the GG-based Loop assembly system for plants, which uses a small library and an intuitive strategy for hierarchical fabrication of large DNA constructs (>30 kb). Here, we describe 'universal Loop' (uLoop) assembly, a system based on Loop assembly for use in potentially any organism of choice. This design permits the use of a compact number of plasmids (two sets of four odd and even vectors), which are utilized repeatedly in alternating steps. The elements required for transformation/maintenance in target organisms are also assembled as standardized parts, enabling customization of host-specific plasmids. Decoupling of the Loop assembly logic from the host-specific propagation elements enables universal DNA assembly that retains high efficiency regardless of the final host. As a proof-of-concept, we show the engineering of multigene expression vectors in diatoms, yeast, plants and bacteria. These resources are available through the OpenMTA for unrestricted sharing and open access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Pollak
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Department, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
- Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tamara Matute
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Isaac Nuñez
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ariel Cerda
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Constanza Lopez
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Vargas
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Anton Kan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vincent Bielinski
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Department, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Peter von Dassow
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía de Chile, Concepción, Chile
- UMI 3614 Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad Austral de Chile, Station Biologique de Roscoff, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Chris L Dupont
- Microbial and Environmental Genomics Department, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fernán Federici
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Fondo de Desarrollo de Áreas Prioritarias, Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile
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Genetic tool development in marine protists: emerging model organisms for experimental cell biology. Nat Methods 2020; 17:481-494. [PMID: 32251396 PMCID: PMC7200600 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diverse microbial ecosystems underpin life in the sea. Among these microbes are many unicellular eukaryotes that span the diversity of the eukaryotic tree of life. However, genetic tractability has been limited to a few species, which do not represent eukaryotic diversity or environmentally relevant taxa. Here, we report on the development of genetic tools in a range of protists primarily from marine environments. We present evidence for foreign DNA delivery and expression in 13 species never before transformed and for advancement of tools for eight other species, as well as potential reasons for why transformation of yet another 17 species tested was not achieved. Our resource in genetic manipulation will provide insights into the ancestral eukaryotic lifeforms, general eukaryote cell biology, protein diversification and the evolution of cellular pathways.
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5
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Richter DJ, Levin TC. The origin and evolution of cell-intrinsic antibacterial defenses in eukaryotes. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 58-59:111-122. [PMID: 31731216 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To survive in a world dominated by bacteria, eukaryotes have evolved numerous self-defense strategies. While some defenses are recent evolutionary innovations, others are ancient, with roots early in eukaryotic history. With a focus on antibacterial immunity, we highlight the evolution of pattern recognition receptors that detect bacteria, where diverse functional classes have been formed from the repeated use and reuse of a small set of protein domains. Next, we discuss core microbicidal strategies shared across eukaryotes, and how these systems may have been co-opted from ancient cellular mechanisms. We propose that studying antibacterial responses across diverse eukaryotes can reveal novel modes of defense, while highlighting the critical innovations that occurred early in the evolution of our own immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Richter
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Tera C Levin
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States.
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6
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de Mendoza A, Sebé-Pedrós A. Origin and evolution of eukaryotic transcription factors. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 58-59:25-32. [PMID: 31466037 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) have a central role in genome regulation directing gene transcription through binding specific DNA sequences. Eukaryotic genomes encode a large diversity of TF classes, each defined by unique DNA-interaction domains. Recent advances in genome sequencing and phylogenetic placement of diverse eukaryotic and archaeal species are re-defining the evolutionary history of eukaryotic TFs. The emerging view from a comparative genomics perspective is that the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA) had an extensive repertoire of TFs, most of which represent eukaryotic evolutionary novelties. This burst of TF innovation coincides with the emergence of genomic nuclear segregation and complex chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex de Mendoza
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Arnau Sebé-Pedrós
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Bradley D, Beltrao P. Evolution of protein kinase substrate recognition at the active site. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000341. [PMID: 31233486 PMCID: PMC6611643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases catalyse the phosphorylation of target proteins, controlling most cellular processes. The specificity of serine/threonine kinases is partly determined by interactions with a few residues near the phospho-acceptor residue, forming the so-called kinase-substrate motif. Kinases have been extensively duplicated throughout evolution, but little is known about when in time new target motifs have arisen. Here, we show that sequence variation occurring early in the evolution of kinases is dominated by changes in specificity-determining residues. We then analysed kinase specificity models, based on known target sites, observing that specificity has remained mostly unchanged for recent kinase duplications. Finally, analysis of phosphorylation data from a taxonomically broad set of 48 eukaryotic species indicates that most phosphorylation motifs are broadly distributed in eukaryotes but are not present in prokaryotes. Overall, our results suggest that the set of eukaryotes kinase motifs present today was acquired around the time of the eukaryotic last common ancestor and that early expansions of the protein kinase fold rapidly explored the space of possible target motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bradley
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Beltrao
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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8
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Collier JL, Rest JS. Swimming, gliding, and rolling toward the mainstream: cell biology of marine protists. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:1245-1248. [PMID: 31084566 PMCID: PMC6724603 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-11-0724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine protists are a polyphyletic group of organisms playing major roles in the ecology and biogeochemistry of the oceans, including performing much of Earth's photosynthesis and driving the carbon, nitrogen, and silicon cycles. In addition, marine protists occupy key positions in the tree of life, including as the closest relatives of metazoans. Despite all the reasons to better understand them, knowledge of the cell biology of most marine protist lineages is sparse. This is beginning to change thanks to vibrant growth in the development of new model organisms. Here, we survey some recent advances in studying the cell biology of marine protists toward understanding the functional basis of their unique features, gaining new perspectives on universal eukaryotic biology, and for understanding homologous biology within metazoans and the evolution of metazoan traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie L. Collier
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000
| | - Joshua S. Rest
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5245
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9
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Cryopreservation of Paramecium bursaria Chlorella Virus-1 during an active infection cycle of its host. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211755. [PMID: 30870463 PMCID: PMC6417706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Best practices in laboratory culture management often include cryopreservation of microbiota, but this can be challenging with some virus particles. By preserving viral isolates researchers can mitigate genetic drift and laboratory-induced selection, thereby maintaining genetically consistent strains between experiments. To this end, we developed a method to cryopreserve the model, green-alga infecting virus, Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1). We explored cryotolerance of the infectivity of this virus particle, whereby freezing without cryoprotectants was found to maintain the highest infectivity (~2.5%). We then assessed the cryopreservation potential of PBCV-1 during an active infection cycle in its Chlorella variabilis NC64A host, and found that virus survivorship was highest (69.5 ± 16.5%) when the infected host is cryopreserved during mid-late stages of infection (i.e., coinciding with virion assembly). The most optimal condition for cryopreservation was observed at 240 minutes post-infection. Overall, utilizing the cell as a vehicle for viral cryopreservation resulted in 24.9–30.1 fold increases in PBCV-1 survival based on 95% confidence intervals of frozen virus particles and virus cryopreserved at 240 minutes post-infection. Given that cryoprotectants are often naturally produced by psychrophilic organisms, we suspect that cryopreservation of infected hosts may be a reliable mechanism for virus persistence in non-growth permitting circumstances in the environment, such as ancient permafrosts.
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Amend A, Burgaud G, Cunliffe M, Edgcomb VP, Ettinger CL, Gutiérrez MH, Heitman J, Hom EFY, Ianiri G, Jones AC, Kagami M, Picard KT, Quandt CA, Raghukumar S, Riquelme M, Stajich J, Vargas-Muñiz J, Walker AK, Yarden O, Gladfelter AS. Fungi in the Marine Environment: Open Questions and Unsolved Problems. mBio 2019; 10:e01189-18. [PMID: 30837337 PMCID: PMC6401481 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01189-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial fungi play critical roles in nutrient cycling and food webs and can shape macroorganism communities as parasites and mutualists. Although estimates for the number of fungal species on the planet range from 1.5 to over 5 million, likely fewer than 10% of fungi have been identified so far. To date, a relatively small percentage of described species are associated with marine environments, with ∼1,100 species retrieved exclusively from the marine environment. Nevertheless, fungi have been found in nearly every marine habitat explored, from the surface of the ocean to kilometers below ocean sediments. Fungi are hypothesized to contribute to phytoplankton population cycles and the biological carbon pump and are active in the chemistry of marine sediments. Many fungi have been identified as commensals or pathogens of marine animals (e.g., corals and sponges), plants, and algae. Despite their varied roles, remarkably little is known about the diversity of this major branch of eukaryotic life in marine ecosystems or their ecological functions. This perspective emerges from a Marine Fungi Workshop held in May 2018 at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. We present the state of knowledge as well as the multitude of open questions regarding the diversity and function of fungi in the marine biosphere and geochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Amend
- Department of Botany, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Gaetan Burgaud
- Université de Brest, EA 3882, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, ESIAB, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Plouzané, France
| | - Michael Cunliffe
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia P Edgcomb
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - M H Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Oceanografía, Centro de Investigación Oceanográfica COPAS Sur-Austral, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erik F Y Hom
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Giuseppe Ianiri
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adam C Jones
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Maiko Kagami
- Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kathryn T Picard
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
| | - C Alisha Quandt
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Mertixell Riquelme
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jason Stajich
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - José Vargas-Muñiz
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Allison K Walker
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Oded Yarden
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amy S Gladfelter
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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