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Geometry shapes evolution of early multicellularity.

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Evolutionary transitions lead to increased organism complexity. In snowflake yeast, increased cell death, driven by cluster geometry, paradoxically boosts cell numbers and facilitates reproductive division of labor.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Systems biology

Background:

  • Major evolutionary transitions involve entities becoming parts of higher-level ones.
  • Reproductive division of labor is a key feature of some higher-level entities.
  • The origin of reproductive division of labor remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the origin of reproductive division of labor during evolutionary transitions.
  • Utilize a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae evolution experiment as a model system.
  • Explore the role of cell death and cluster geometry in reproductive differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of an evolution experiment with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Development of a mathematical model for snowflake yeast clusters.
  • Examination of cellular arrangement, cell death, and space limitations.

Main Results:

  • Snowflake yeast evolved multicellular clusters and increased cell death rates.
  • Cluster geometry imposes space limitations for cell growth.
  • Increased cell death, by avoiding space limitations, paradoxically increases total cell numbers.
  • Selection for specific group sizes explains elevated apoptosis rates.

Conclusions:

  • The geometry of primitive multicellular organisms is crucial for understanding reproductive division of labor.
  • Increased cell death can be an adaptive strategy in constrained environments.
  • This study provides insights into the initial emergence of reproductive division of labor during evolutionary transitions in individuality.