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The Genetics and Evolution of Multicellularity
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The Genetics and Evolution of Multicellularity

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2024 | Viewed by 5234

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Aurora Nedelcu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
Interests: evolution of multicellularity; evolution of cell differentiation and development; evolution of cooperation and altruism; evolution and cancer; green algae

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Multicellularity has evolved multiple times, independently, within both the eukaryotic (e.g., green/red/brown algae, plants, animals and fungi) and prokaryotic (e.g., cyanobacteria) domains of life. Although the advent of multicellularity contributed greatly to the complexity and diversity that characterize life on Earth, the genetic basis for its remains poorly understood. The recent availability of genomic and transcriptomic sequences from both single-celled and multicellular species of distinct evolutionary lineages provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of multicellularity, cell differentiation and development. In addition, comparative studies can reveal the genetic basis (in terms of genes and gene regulation; mechanisms involved in their evolution—gene duplication and gene co-option; non-coding RNAs; alternative splicing) responsible for the similarities and differences in the evolution and expression of multicellular phenotypes in distant lineages. Such studies can also identify genetic aspects that might be responsible for the disparities in complexity levels observed among the extant multicellular lineages. Lastly, genomic and transcriptomic data can be used to address the potential role that lateral gene transfer, mobile genetic elements and phenotypic plasticity might have played in the evolution of multicellularity and cell differentiation. The goal of this Special Issue is to assemble studies that address these topics, in various lineages, using either theoretical, modelling, computational or experimental approaches.

Prof. Dr. Aurora Nedelcu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • evolution
  • multicellularity
  • cell differentiation
  • phenotypic plasticity
  • gene co-option
  • gene regulation
  • comparative genomics
  • transcriptomics

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 10986 KiB  
Article
Spontaneous Emergence of Multicellular Heritability
by Seyed Alireza Zamani-Dahaj, Anthony Burnetti, Thomas C. Day, Peter J. Yunker, William C. Ratcliff and Matthew D. Herron
Genes 2023, 14(8), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14081635 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1439
Abstract
The major transitions in evolution include events and processes that result in the emergence of new levels of biological individuality. For collectives to undergo Darwinian evolution, their traits must be heritable, but the emergence of higher-level heritability is poorly understood and has long [...] Read more.
The major transitions in evolution include events and processes that result in the emergence of new levels of biological individuality. For collectives to undergo Darwinian evolution, their traits must be heritable, but the emergence of higher-level heritability is poorly understood and has long been considered a stumbling block for nascent evolutionary transitions. Using analytical models, synthetic biology, and biologically-informed simulations, we explored the emergence of trait heritability during the evolution of multicellularity. Prior work on the evolution of multicellularity has asserted that substantial collective-level trait heritability either emerges only late in the transition or requires some evolutionary change subsequent to the formation of clonal multicellular groups. In a prior analytical model, we showed that collective-level heritability not only exists but is usually more heritable than the underlying cell-level trait upon which it is based, as soon as multicellular groups form. Here, we show that key assumptions and predictions of that model are borne out in a real engineered biological system, with important implications for the emergence of collective-level heritability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Genetics and Evolution of Multicellularity)
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Review

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17 pages, 1493 KiB  
Review
Decoding Cancer Evolution: Integrating Genetic and Non-Genetic Insights
by Arghavan Ashouri, Chufan Zhang and Federico Gaiti
Genes 2023, 14(10), 1856; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14101856 - 24 Sep 2023
Viewed by 2054
Abstract
The development of cancer begins with cells transitioning from their multicellular nature to a state akin to unicellular organisms. This shift leads to a breakdown in the crucial regulators inherent to multicellularity, resulting in the emergence of diverse cancer cell subpopulations that have [...] Read more.
The development of cancer begins with cells transitioning from their multicellular nature to a state akin to unicellular organisms. This shift leads to a breakdown in the crucial regulators inherent to multicellularity, resulting in the emergence of diverse cancer cell subpopulations that have enhanced adaptability. The presence of different cell subpopulations within a tumour, known as intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH), poses challenges for cancer treatment. In this review, we delve into the dynamics of the shift from multicellularity to unicellularity during cancer onset and progression. We highlight the role of genetic and non-genetic factors, as well as tumour microenvironment, in promoting ITH and cancer evolution. Additionally, we shed light on the latest advancements in omics technologies that allow for in-depth analysis of tumours at the single-cell level and their spatial organization within the tissue. Obtaining such detailed information is crucial for deepening our understanding of the diverse evolutionary paths of cancer, allowing for the development of effective therapies targeting the key drivers of cancer evolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Genetics and Evolution of Multicellularity)
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23 pages, 3375 KiB  
Review
The Genetics of Fitness Reorganization during the Transition to Multicellularity: The Volvocine regA-like Family as a Model
by Zachariah I. Grochau-Wright, Aurora M. Nedelcu and Richard E. Michod
Genes 2023, 14(4), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040941 - 19 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1622
Abstract
The evolutionary transition from single-celled to multicellular individuality requires organismal fitness to shift from the cell level to a cell group. This reorganization of fitness occurs by re-allocating the two components of fitness, survival and reproduction, between two specialized cell types in the [...] Read more.
The evolutionary transition from single-celled to multicellular individuality requires organismal fitness to shift from the cell level to a cell group. This reorganization of fitness occurs by re-allocating the two components of fitness, survival and reproduction, between two specialized cell types in the multicellular group: soma and germ, respectively. How does the genetic basis for such fitness reorganization evolve? One possible mechanism is the co-option of life history genes present in the unicellular ancestors of a multicellular lineage. For instance, single-celled organisms must regulate their investment in survival and reproduction in response to environmental changes, particularly decreasing reproduction to ensure survival under stress. Such stress response life history genes can provide the genetic basis for the evolution of cellular differentiation in multicellular lineages. The regA-like gene family in the volvocine green algal lineage provides an excellent model system to study how this co-option can occur. We discuss the origin and evolution of the volvocine regA-like gene family, including regA—the gene that controls somatic cell development in the model organism Volvox carteri. We hypothesize that the co-option of life history trade-off genes is a general mechanism involved in the transition to multicellular individuality, making volvocine algae and the regA-like family a useful template for similar investigations in other lineages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Genetics and Evolution of Multicellularity)
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