1
|
Kjellin J, Avesson L, Reimegård J, Liao Z, Eichinger L, Noegel A, Glöckner G, Schaap P, Söderbom F. Abundantly expressed class of noncoding RNAs conserved through the multicellular evolution of dictyostelid social amoebas. Genome Res 2021; 31:436-447. [PMID: 33479022 PMCID: PMC7919456 DOI: 10.1101/gr.272856.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aggregative multicellularity has evolved multiple times in diverse groups of eukaryotes, exemplified by the well-studied development of dictyostelid social amoebas, for example, Dictyostelium discoideum However, it is still poorly understood why multicellularity emerged in these amoebas while the majority of other members of Amoebozoa are unicellular. Previously, a novel type of noncoding RNA, Class I RNAs, was identified in D. discoideum and shown to be important for normal multicellular development. Here, we investigated Class I RNA evolution and its connection to multicellular development. We identified a large number of new Class I RNA genes by constructing a covariance model combined with a scoring system based on conserved upstream sequences. Multiple genes were predicted in representatives of each major group of Dictyostelia and expression analysis confirmed that our search approach identifies expressed Class I RNA genes with high accuracy and sensitivity and that the RNAs are developmentally regulated. Further studies showed that Class I RNAs are ubiquitous in Dictyostelia and share highly conserved structure and sequence motifs. In addition, Class I RNA genes appear to be unique to dictyostelid social amoebas because they could not be identified in outgroup genomes, including their closest known relatives. Our results show that Class I RNA is an ancient class of ncRNAs, likely to have been present in the last common ancestor of Dictyostelia dating back at least 600 million years. Based on previous functional analyses and the presented evolutionary investigation, we hypothesize that Class I RNAs were involved in evolution of multicellularity in Dictyostelia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kjellin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala S-75124, Sweden
| | - Lotta Avesson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala S-75124, Sweden
| | - Johan Reimegård
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala S-75124, Sweden
| | - Zhen Liao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala S-75124, Sweden
| | - Ludwig Eichinger
- Centre for Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Angelika Noegel
- Centre for Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gernot Glöckner
- Centre for Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Pauline Schaap
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Fredrik Söderbom
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala S-75124, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Standing genetic variation in a tissue-specific enhancer underlies selfing-syndrome evolution in Capsella. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:13911-13916. [PMID: 27849572 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613394113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mating system shifts recurrently drive specific changes in organ dimensions. The shift in mating system from out-breeding to selfing is one of the most frequent evolutionary transitions in flowering plants and is often associated with an organ-specific reduction in flower size. However, the evolutionary paths along which polygenic traits, such as size, evolve are poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear how natural selection can specifically modulate the size of one organ despite the pleiotropic action of most known growth regulators. Here, we demonstrate that allelic variation in the intron of a general growth regulator contributed to the specific reduction of petal size after the transition to selfing in the genus Capsella Variation within this intron affects an organ-specific enhancer that regulates the level of STERILE APETALA (SAP) protein in the developing petals. The resulting decrease in SAP activity leads to a shortening of the cell proliferation period and reduced number of petal cells. The absence of private polymorphisms at the causal region in the selfing species suggests that the small-petal allele was captured from standing genetic variation in the ancestral out-crossing population. Petal-size variation in the current out-crossing population indicates that several small-effect mutations have contributed to reduce petal-size. These data demonstrate how tissue-specific regulatory elements in pleiotropic genes contribute to organ-specific evolution. In addition, they provide a plausible evolutionary explanation for the rapid evolution of flower size after the out-breeding-to-selfing transition based on additive effects of segregating alleles.
Collapse
|
3
|
Elsner D, Kremer LP, Arning N, Bornberg-Bauer E. Chapter 6. Comparative genomic approaches to investigate molecular traits specific to social insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 16:87-94. [PMID: 27720056 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is a feature of nearly all known organisms and, by its connection to survival, appears to trade off with fecundity. However, in some organisms such as in queens of social insects, this negative relation appears reversed and individuals live long and reproduce much. Since new experimental techniques, transcriptomes and genomes of many social insects have recently become available, a comparison of these data in a phylogenetic framework becomes feasible. This allows the study of general trends, species specific oddities and evolutionary dynamics of the molecular properties and changes which underlie ageing, fecundity and the reversal of this negative association. In the framework of social insect evolution, we review the most important recent insights, computational methods, their applications and data resources which are available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Elsner
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Institute of Biology I (Zoology), University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Lukas Pm Kremer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nicolas Arning
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schmitz JF, Zimmer F, Bornberg-Bauer E. Mechanisms of transcription factor evolution in Metazoa. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:6287-97. [PMID: 27288445 PMCID: PMC5291267 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptions factors (TFs) are pivotal for the regulation of virtually all cellular processes, including growth and development. Expansions of TF families are causally linked to increases in organismal complexity. Here we study the evolutionary dynamics, genetic causes and functional implications of the five largest metazoan TF families. We find that family expansions dominate across the whole metazoan tree; however, some branches experience exceptional family-specific accelerated expansions. Additionally, we find that such expansions are often predated by modular domain rearrangements, which spur the expansion of a new sub-family by separating it from the rest of the TF family in terms of protein-protein interactions. This separation allows for radical shifts in the functional spectrum of a duplicated TF. We also find functional differentiation inside TF sub-families as changes in expression specificity. Furthermore, accelerated family expansions are facilitated by repeats of sequence motifs such as C2H2 zinc fingers. We quantify whole genome duplications and single gene duplications as sources of TF family expansions, implying that some, but not all, TF duplicates are preferentially retained. We conclude that trans-regulatory changes (domain rearrangements) are instrumental for fundamental functional innovations, that cis-regulatory changes (affecting expression) accomplish wide-spread fine tuning and both jointly contribute to the functional diversification of TFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Schmitz
- Evolutionary Bioinformatics Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Fabian Zimmer
- Evolutionary Bioinformatics Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Evolutionary Bioinformatics Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Hüfferstrasse 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The multicellularity genes of dictyostelid social amoebas. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12085. [PMID: 27357338 PMCID: PMC4931340 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of multicellularity enabled specialization of cells, but required novel signalling mechanisms for regulating cell differentiation. Early multicellular organisms are mostly extinct and the origins of these mechanisms are unknown. Here using comparative genome and transcriptome analysis across eight uni- and multicellular amoebozoan genomes, we find that 80% of proteins essential for the development of multicellular Dictyostelia are already present in their unicellular relatives. This set is enriched in cytosolic and nuclear proteins, and protein kinases. The remaining 20%, unique to Dictyostelia, mostly consists of extracellularly exposed and secreted proteins, with roles in sensing and recognition, while several genes for synthesis of signals that induce cell-type specialization were acquired by lateral gene transfer. Across Dictyostelia, changes in gene expression correspond more strongly with phenotypic innovation than changes in protein functional domains. We conclude that the transition to multicellularity required novel signals and sensors rather than novel signal processing mechanisms. Unicellular social amoebae aggregate to form a multicellular life stage, making them a model system for the evolution of multicellularity. Here, Glöckner et al. use a comparative genomic and transcriptomic approach to determine the origin of the genes essential for multicellularity in the social amoebae.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bergen AC, Olsen GM, Fay JC. Divergent MLS1 Promoters Lie on a Fitness Plateau for Gene Expression. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1270-9. [PMID: 26782997 PMCID: PMC4839218 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Qualitative patterns of gene activation and repression are often conserved despite an abundance of quantitative variation in expression levels within and between species. A major challenge to interpreting patterns of expression divergence is knowing which changes in gene expression affect fitness. To characterize the fitness effects of gene expression divergence, we placed orthologous promoters from eight yeast species upstream of malate synthase (MLS1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As expected, we found these promoters varied in their expression level under activated and repressed conditions as well as in their dynamic response following loss of glucose repression. Despite these differences, only a single promoter driving near basal levels of expression caused a detectable loss of fitness. We conclude that the MLS1 promoter lies on a fitness plateau whereby even large changes in gene expression can be tolerated without a substantial loss of fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Bergen
- Molecular Genetics and Genomics Program, Washington University, St. Louis
| | | | - Justin C Fay
- Department of Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University, St. Louis
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nehaniv CL, Rhodes J, Egri-Nagy A, Dini P, Morris ER, Horváth G, Karimi F, Schreckling D, Schilstra MJ. Symmetry structure in discrete models of biochemical systems: natural subsystems and the weak control hierarchy in a new model of computation driven by interactions. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2015; 373:rsta.2014.0223. [PMID: 26078349 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Interaction computing is inspired by the observation that cell metabolic/regulatory systems construct order dynamically, through constrained interactions between their components and based on a wide range of possible inputs and environmental conditions. The goals of this work are to (i) identify and understand mathematically the natural subsystems and hierarchical relations in natural systems enabling this and (ii) use the resulting insights to define a new model of computation based on interactions that is useful for both biology and computation. The dynamical characteristics of the cellular pathways studied in systems biology relate, mathematically, to the computational characteristics of automata derived from them, and their internal symmetry structures to computational power. Finite discrete automata models of biological systems such as the lac operon, the Krebs cycle and p53-mdm2 genetic regulation constructed from systems biology models have canonically associated algebraic structures (their transformation semigroups). These contain permutation groups (local substructures exhibiting symmetry) that correspond to 'pools of reversibility'. These natural subsystems are related to one another in a hierarchical manner by the notion of 'weak control'. We present natural subsystems arising from several biological examples and their weak control hierarchies in detail. Finite simple non-Abelian groups are found in biological examples and can be harnessed to realize finitary universal computation. This allows ensembles of cells to achieve any desired finitary computational transformation, depending on external inputs, via suitably constrained interactions. Based on this, interaction machines that grow and change their structure recursively are introduced and applied, providing a natural model of computation driven by interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chrystopher L Nehaniv
- Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - John Rhodes
- Department of Mathematics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Attila Egri-Nagy
- Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK Centre for Research in Mathematics, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, New South Wales 2751, Australia
| | - Paolo Dini
- Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Eric Rothstein Morris
- Institute of IT Security and Security Law, University of Passau, Passau 94030, Germany
| | - Gábor Horváth
- Institute of Mathematics, University of Debrecen, Pf. 12. Debrecen, 4010 Hungary
| | - Fariba Karimi
- Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Daniel Schreckling
- Institute of IT Security and Security Law, University of Passau, Passau 94030, Germany
| | - Maria J Schilstra
- Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gaunt SJ, George M, Paul YL. Direct activation of a mouse Hoxd11 axial expression enhancer by Gdf11/Smad signalling. Dev Biol 2013; 383:52-60. [PMID: 24016758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A Hoxd11/lacZ reporter, expressed with a Hoxd11-like axial expression pattern in transgenic mouse embryos, is stimulated in tailbud fragments when cultured in presence of Gdf11, a TGF-β growth/differentiation factor. The same construct is also stimulated by Gdf11 when transiently transfected into cultures of HepG2 cells. Stimulation of the reporter in HepG2 cells is enhanced where it contains only the 332 bp Hoxd11 enhancer region VIII upstream or downstream of a luciferase or lacZ reporter. This enhancer contains three elements conserved from fish to mice, one of which has the sequence of a Smad3/4 binding element. Mutation of this motif inhibits the ability of Gdf11 to enhance reporter activity in the HepG2 cell assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments show direct evidence of Smad2/3 protein binding to the Hoxd11 region VIII enhancer. The action of Gdf11 upon Hoxd11 in HepG2 cells is inhibited, at least in part, by SIS3, a specific inhibitor of Smad3. SIS3 also produces partial inhibition of Hoxd11/lacZ expression in cultured transgenic tailbuds, indicating that Smad3 may play a similar role in the embryonic expression of Hoxd11. Transgenic mouse experiments show that the Smad binding motif is essential for the axial expression of Hoxd11/lacZ reporter in the embryo tailbud, posterior mesoderm and neurectoderm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Gaunt
- Laboratory for Development and Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK; The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|