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Evolution of microRNAs in Amoebozoa and implications for the origin of multicellularity

Bart Edelbroek1, Jonas Kjellin1, Inna Biryukova2

  • 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden.

Nucleic Acids Research
|February 20, 2024
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in diverse amoebae, suggesting their ancient origins. Their rapid evolution and non-essential role in multicellular development challenge previous hypotheses.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators in plants and animals, potentially influencing multicellularity.
  • Previous research identified miRNAs in limited unicellular eukaryotes, leaving their evolutionary history in other lineages unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and evolutionary patterns of miRNAs in diverse Amoebozoa species.
  • To assess the role of miRNAs in the transition from unicellular to multicellular life.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of small RNA sequencing data from Acanthamoeba, Physarum, and dictyostelids.
  • Comparative genomics to identify conserved and unique miRNAs across species.
  • Phenotypic analysis of miRNA-deficient mutants in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Main Results:

  • Identified miRNAs adhering to plant and animal criteria in all examined amoebae, increasing known miRNA-harboring protists from 7 to 15.
  • Observed rapid gain and/or loss of miRNAs within Amoebozoa, with mostly unique miRNAs per species.
  • Demonstrated that miRNA loss in Dictyostelium discoideum mutants did not impede multicellular development.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are widespread in Amoebozoa, indicating an ancient evolutionary origin.
  • The rapid turnover of miRNAs in Amoebozoa suggests high evolutionary plasticity.
  • The presence of miRNAs is not a strict prerequisite for the evolution of multicellularity in these organisms.

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