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06:08
Genetic Engineering of Dictyostelium discoideum Cells Based on Selection and Growth on Bacteria
Published on: January 25, 2019
Dictyostelium development shows a novel pattern of evolutionary conservation
Xiangjun Tian1, Joan E Strassmann, David C Queller
1Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
|January 19, 2013
Summary
The slime mold Dictyostelium developmental pattern differs from canonical animal and plant models. This study reveals late-stage developmental conservation, challenging existing evolutionary theories.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
Background:
- von Baer's law posits early development is most conserved.
- The hourglass model suggests a mid-developmental conservation phase.
- These patterns are often linked to developmental interaction complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental conservation pattern in the slime mold Dictyostelium.
- To compare Dictyostelium's pattern with established animal and plant models.
- To test the universality of explanations based on developmental complexity.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) expression data analysis.
- Comparative developmental biology.
- Phylogenetic analysis of developmental patterns.
Main Results:
- Dictyostelium does not follow the canonical early or hourglass conservation patterns.
- Strongest developmental conservation and lowest evolvability were observed late in development.
- This pattern deviates from findings in both animals and plants.
Conclusions:
- The canonical developmental conservation models may not be universally applicable.
- Dictyostelium's late-stage conservation suggests alternative evolutionary constraints.
- A modified spatial constraints model may explain patterns in less modular organisms.
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