The evolution of developmental biology through conceptual and technological revolutions

Cell, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 187(14), P. 3461 - 3495

Published: June 20, 2024

Developmental biology-the study of the processes by which cells, tissues, and organisms develop change over time-has entered a new golden age. After molecular genetics revolution in 80s 90s diversification field early 21st century, we have phase when powerful technologies provide approaches open unexplored avenues. Progress has been accelerated advances genomics, imaging, engineering, computational biology emerging model systems ranging from tardigrades to organoids. We summarize how revolutionary led remarkable progress understanding animal development. describe classic questions gene regulation, pattern formation, morphogenesis, organogenesis, stem cell are being revisited. discuss connections development with evolution, self-organization, metabolism, time, ecology. speculate developmental might evolve an era synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, human engineering.

Language: Английский

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Hierarchical eco-evo dynamics mediated by the gut microbiome

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(2), P. 165 - 174

Published: Oct. 18, 2023

The concept of eco-evolutionary (eco-evo) dynamics, stating that ecological and evolutionary processes occur at similar time scales influence each other, has contributed to our understanding responses populations, communities, ecosystems environmental change. Phenotypes, central these eco-evo processes, can be strongly impacted by the gut microbiome. microbiome shapes dynamics in host community through its effects on phenotype. Complex feedback loops between communities might thus common. Bottom-up when interactions shaping affect phenotypes with consequences population, community, ecosystem levels. Top-down structure

Language: Английский

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Multiple neuronal populations control the eating behavior in Hydra and are responsive to microbial signals

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(24), P. 5288 - 5303.e6

Published: Nov. 22, 2023

Although recent studies indicate the impact of microbes on central nervous systems and behavior, it remains unclear how relationship between functionality system, microbiota evolved. In this work, we analyzed eating behavior Hydra, a host that has simple system low-complexity microbiota. To identify neuronal subpopulations involved, used subpopulation-specific cell ablation calcium imaging. The role was uncovered by manipulating diversity natural We show different are functioning together to control behavior. Animals with drastically reduced microbiome had severe difficulties in mouth opening due significantly increased level glutamate. This could be reversed adding full complement summary, provide mechanistic explanation Hydra's controls what play this.

Language: Английский

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Microbiota-derived β-carotene is required for strobilation of Aurelia aurita by impacting host retinoic acid signaling

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2), P. 111729 - 111729

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

The strobilation process, an asexual reproduction mechanism in Aurelia aurita, transitions from the sessile polyp to pelagic medusa stage. This study explored essential role of microbiome strobilation, particularly through bacterial beta carotene's impact on host's retinoic acid signaling pathway. Experiments demonstrated that native polyps undergo normal while sterile exhibit morphological defects. Supplementing with provitamin A carotene or vitamin metabolite 9-cis (RA) remedied these defects, underscoring their crucial strobilation. Transcriptional analysis revealed and RA restored expression genes levels. Inhibition key enzymes pathway disrupted further confirming its importance. β-carotenoid synthesis microbiome, contrasted tremendously reduced antibiotic-treated polyps, emphasizes microbiome's pivotal provision, facilitating A. aurita's signaling.

Language: Английский

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Symbiont‐Mediated Metabolic Shift in the Sea Anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Coral reefs and their photosynthetic algae form one of the most ecologically economically impactful symbioses in animal kingdom. The stability this nutritional mutualism ecosystem is, however, at risk due to increasing sea surface temperatures that cause corals expel symbionts. Symbioses with these microeukaryotes have independently evolved multiple times, non‐coral cnidarians (e.g., anemones) serve as a valuable insightful comparative system ease husbandry laboratory ability shuffle different strains photosymbionts acclimate thermal conditions. This breadth symbiont shuffling is exemplified by anemone Anthopleura elegantissima , which naturally occurs symbiosis dinoflagellate Breviolum muscatinei (formerly Symbiodinium ) or chlorophyte Elliptochloris marina well being aposymbiotic. Here, we assembled draft genome used multi‐omics characterise physiological levels each phenotype. We find A. has symbiont‐specific transcriptional metabolomic signatures, but similar bacterial community dominated single Sphingomonas species commonly found cnidarian microbiome. Symbiosis either eukaryotic resulted differential gene expression metabolic abundance for diverse processes spanning metabolism immunity reproduction development, some unique symbiont. culture its phylogenetically divergent perform experimental manipulations makes another tractable decode symbiotic conversations coral reef ecosystems aid wider conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Microbes as manipulators of egg size and developmental evolution

mBio, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Marine invertebrates mainly reproduce by energy-poor eggs that develop into feeding larvae or energy-rich non-feeding larvae. Evolutionary transitions between these developmental modes have been studied in detail, yet the evolutionary factor(s) responsible for switches remains elusive. Here, we use theoretical models to support premise microbes with capacity manipulate host reproduction may be one possible factor. Our model predicts microbial manipulators could create a sperm-limited environment selects larger shifting host’s sex ratio toward female dominance and, as result, drive an transition mode marine invertebrates. The loss of manipulator then recover ancestral egg size and mode. We also suggest more than dozen genera from throughout world’s oceans fit framework microbe-induced predominant modes. anticipate yet-to-be-appreciated influence on evolution find it paramount understand whether occur without well underlying mechanisms manipulations are convergent terrestrial systems. IMPORTANCE Microbes animal widespread land, their is widely acknowledged. Relatives increasingly found ocean, but uniquely taxa recently underwent present supporting free-spawning This provides complementary viewpoint theory regarding process undergo fruitful opportunity compare

Language: Английский

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On being a Hydra with, and without, a nervous system: what do neurons add?

Animal Cognition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(6), P. 1799 - 1816

Published: Aug. 4, 2023

Abstract The small freshwater cnidarian Hydra has been the subject of scientific inquiry for over 300 years due to its remarkable regenerative capacities and apparent immortality. More recently, recognized as an excellent model system within neuroscience because size, transparency, simple nervous system, which allow high-resolution imaging entire nerve net while behaving. In less than a decade, studies Hydra’s have yielded insights into activity neural circuits in vivo unobtainable most other animals. addition these unique attributes, there is yet another lesser-known feature that makes it even more intriguing: does not require hardware live. extraordinary ability survive removal replacement uniquely suited address question what neurons add extant organism. Here, I will review early work on nerve-free reveals about potential role animals point towards future directions this work.

Language: Английский

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Maternal provisioning of an obligate symbiont in a sponge

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(5)

Published: May 1, 2023

The transmission of microbes from mother to offspring is an ancient, advantageous, and widespread feature metazoan life history. Despite this, little known about the quantitative strategies taken maintain symbioses across generations. quantity maternal that provided each through vertical could theoretically be stochastic (no trend), consistent (an optimal range allocated), or provisioned (a trade-off with fecundity). Examples currently come animals release free-living eggs (oviparous) suggest are a symbionts. vertically transmitted in other major reproductive has yet assessed. We used brooding (viviparous) sponge

Language: Английский

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Divergence between sea urchins and their microbiota following speciation

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 171(6)

Published: May 5, 2024

Abstract Animals have a deep evolutionary relationship with microbial symbionts, such that individual microbes or an entire community can diverge alongside the host. Here, we explore these host-microbe relationships in Echinometra , sea urchin genus speciated Isthmus of Panama and throughout Indo-West Pacific. We find eggs from five species generally associate species-specific bacterial relatedness communities is largely congruent host phylogeny. Microbiome divergence per million years was higher more recent speciation events than older ones. We, however, did not any groups displayed co-phylogeny . Together, findings suggest between their microbiota operates at level. no evidence suggesting associated driver speciation. Instead, likely byproduct ecological, geographic, reproductive isolations.

Language: Английский

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Insights into the molecular bases of multicellular development from brown algae

Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 151(20)

Published: Sept. 20, 2024

ABSTRACT The transition from simple to complex multicellularity represents a major evolutionary step that occurred in only few eukaryotic lineages. Comparative analyses of these lineages provide insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving this transition, but limited understanding biology some multicellular lineages, such as brown algae, has hampered progress. This Review explores how recent advances genetic genomic technologies now allow detailed investigations bases algae development. We highlight forward techniques have identified mutants enhance our pattern formation sexual differentiation organisms. Additionally, existence nature morphogens potential influence microbiome key developmental processes are examined. Outstanding questions, identity master regulators, definition characterization cell types, plasticity discussed, with technical could answers. Overall, highlights emerging alternative model organisms, contributing evolution life diversity body plans.

Language: Английский

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