The evolutionary origin of development: cycles, patterning, privilege and continuity

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
L. Wolpert
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Positional Information ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Localization ◽  
Baldwin Effect ◽  
Continuity Principle ◽  
Primitive Condition ◽  
The Baldwin Effect

A scenario for the evolution of a simple spherical multicellular organism from a single eukaryotic cell is proposed. Its evolution is based on environmentally induced alterations in the cell cycle, which then, by the Baldwin effect, become autonomous. Further patterning of this primitive organism - a Blastaea, could again involve environmentally induced signals like contact with the substratum, which could then become autonomous, by, perhaps, cytoplasmic localization and asymmetric cell division. Generating differences between cells based on positional information is probably very primitive, and is well conserved; its relation to asymmetric cell division is still unclear. Differentiation of new cell types can arise from non equivalence and gene duplication. Periodicity also evolved very early on. The origin of gastrulation may be related to mechanisms of feeding. The embryo may be evolutionarily privileged and this may facilitate the evolution of novel forms. Larvae are secondarily derived and direct development is the primitive condition as required by the continuity principle.

scholarly journals Endodermal differentiation is reconstructed by coordination of two parallel signaling systems derived from the stele in roots

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengxue Li ◽  
Qiaozhi Yu ◽  
Chunmiao Xu ◽  
Xu Gu ◽  
Shilian Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Synthetic Approach ◽  
Fate Map ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
Apoplastic Barrier ◽  
Casparian Strips

AbstractThe plant roots represent the exquisitely controlled cell fate map in which different cell types undergo a complete status transition from stem cell division and initial fate specification, to the terminal differentiation. The endodermis is initially specified in meristem but further differentiates to form Casparian strips (CSs), the apoplastic barrier in the mature zone for the selective transport between stele and outer tissues, and thus is regarded as plant inner skin. In the Arabidopsis thaliana root the transcription factors SHORTROOT (SHR) regulate asymmetric cell division in cortical initials to separate endodermal and cortex cell layer. In this paper, we utilized synthetic approach to examine the reconstruction of fully functional Casparian strips in plant roots. Our results revealed that SHR serves as a master regulator of a hierarchical signaling cascade that, combined with stele-derived small peptides, is sufficient to rebuild the functional CS in non-endodermal cells. This is a demonstration of the deployment of two parallel signaling systems, in which both apoplastic and symplastic communication were employed, for coordinately specifying the endodermal cell fate.

scholarly journals Roles of Actin in the Morphogenesis of the Early Caenorhabditis elegans Embryo

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3652
Author(s):  
Dureen Samandar Eweis ◽  
Julie Plastino
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Divisions ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Asymmetric Divisions ◽  
Different Cell Types

The cell shape changes that ensure asymmetric cell divisions are crucial for correct development, as asymmetric divisions allow for the formation of different cell types and therefore different tissues. The first division of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo has emerged as a powerful model for understanding asymmetric cell division. The dynamics of microtubules, polarity proteins, and the actin cytoskeleton are all key for this process. In this review, we highlight studies from the last five years revealing new insights about the role of actin dynamics in the first asymmetric cell division of the early C. elegans embryo. Recent results concerning the roles of actin and actin binding proteins in symmetry breaking, cortical flows, cortical integrity, and cleavage furrow formation are described.

Asymmetric cell division of thoracic neuroblast 6–4 to bifurcate glial and neuronal lineage in Drosophila

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (9) ◽  
pp. 1967-1974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Akiyama-Oda ◽  
T. Hosoya ◽  
Y. Hotta
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Neuronal Lineage ◽  
Glial Fate ◽  
Mother Cells

In the development of the Drosophila central nervous system, some of the neuroblasts designated as neuroglioblasts generate both glia and neurons. Little is known about how neuroglioblasts produce these different cell types. NB6-4 in the thoracic segment (NB6-4T) is a neuroglioblast, although the corresponding cell in the abdominal segment (NB6-4A) produces only glia. Here, we describe the cell divisions in the NB6-4T lineage, following changes in cell number and cell arrangement. We also examined successive changes in the expression of glial cells missing (gcm) mRNA and protein, activity of which is known to direct glial fate from the neuronal default state. The first cell division of NB6-4T occurred in the medial-lateral orientation, and was found to bifurcate the glial and neuronal lineage. After division, the medial daughter cell expressed GCM protein to produce three glial cells, while the lateral daughter cell with no GCM expression produced ganglion mother cells, secondary precursors of neurons. Although gcm mRNA was present evenly in the cytoplasm of NB6-4T before the first cell division, it became detected asymmetrically in the cell during mitosis and eventually only in the medial daughter cell. In contrast, NB6-4A showed a symmetrical distribution of gcm mRNA and GCM protein through division. Our observations suggest that mechanisms regulating gcm mRNA expression and its translation play an important role in glial and neuronal lineage bifurcation that results from asymmetric cell division.

scholarly journals When fate follows age: unequal centrosomes in asymmetric cell division

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1650) ◽  
pp. 20130466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Reina ◽  
Cayetano Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Review Current

A strong correlation between centrosome age and fate has been reported in some stem cells and progenitors that divide asymmetrically. In some cases, such stereotyped centrosome behaviour is essential to endow stemness to only one of the two daughters, whereas in other cases causality is still uncertain. Here, we present the different cell types in which correlated centrosome age and fate has been documented, review current knowledge on the underlying molecular mechanisms and discuss possible functional implications of this process.

Gastrulation and the evolution of development

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wolpert
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spatial Patterning ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Developmental Processes ◽  
Primitive Condition ◽  
Third Dimension ◽  
Early Metazoan

The original eukaryotic cell may have possessed the key processes necessary for metazoan development - cell differentiation, patterning and motility - and these are present in the cell cycle. Protozoa also possess key patterning processes. It remains a problem as to why there should be two main modes of development - one based on asymmetric cell division and the other on cellular interactions. The latter may be related to asexual reproduction. The morphogenetic movements of gastrulation - as distinct from specifying the body plan - are highly conserved in a wide variety of organisms. This may reflect the requirement for patterning being specified in two dimensions, sheets of cells, and a third dimension being created by cell infolding. The origin of the gastrula can be accounted for in terms of Haeckel's gastrea theory - an early metazoan resembling the gastrula. Gastrulation in Cnidaria may resemble the primitive condition but there is nevertheless considerable diversity. While this may reflect, for example, yolkiness, it seems that there is little selection on developmental processes other than for reliability. Thus it is possible that the embryo is privileged with respect to selection and this may help account for the evolution of novel processes like the origin of the neural crest. Reliability is the key demand made on development This may be provided by apparent redundancy. Since many developmental processes involve switches and spatial patterning reliability is provided by parallel buffering mechanisms and not by negative feedback.

scholarly journals A new role for Notch in the control of polarity and asymmetric cell division of developing T cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirren Charnley ◽  
Mandy Ludford-Menting ◽  
Kim Pham ◽  
Sarah M. Russell
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Notch Signalling ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Fate Determinants ◽  
Different Cell Types

AbstractA fundamental question in biology is how single cells can reliably produce progeny of different cell types. Notch signalling frequently facilitates fate determination. Asymmetric cell division (ACD) often controls segregation of Notch signalling by imposing unequal inheritance of regulators of Notch. Here, we assessed the functional relationship between Notch and ACD in mouse T cell development. To attain immunological specificity, developing T cells must pass through a pivotal stage termed β-selection, which involves Notch signalling and ACD. We assessed functional interactions between Notch and ACD during β-selection using direct presentation of Notch ligands, DL1 and DL4, and pharmacological inhibition of Notch signalling. Contrary to prevailing models, we find Notch controls distribution of Notch1 itself and cell fate determinants, α-Adaptin and Numb. Notch and CXCR4 signalling cooperated to drive polarity during division. Thus, Notch signalling directly orchestrates ACD, and Notch1 is differentially inherited by sibling cells.

Physiological Relevance of Cell Cycle Kinases

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 973-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Malumbres
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulators ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Physiological Relevance

The basic biology of the cell division cycle and its control by protein kinases was originally studied through genetic and biochemical studies in yeast and other model organisms. The major regulatory mechanisms identified in this pioneer work are conserved in mammals. However, recent studies in different cell types or genetic models are now providing a new perspective on the function of these major cell cycle regulators in different tissues. Here, we review the physiological relevance of mammalian cell cycle kinases such as cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), Aurora and Polo-like kinases, and mitotic checkpoint regulators (Bub1, BubR1, and Mps1) as well as other less-studied enzymes such as Cdc7, Nek proteins, or Mastl and their implications in development, tissue homeostasis, and human disease. Among these functions, the control of self-renewal or asymmetric cell division in stem/progenitor cells and the ability to regenerate injured tissues is a central issue in current research. In addition, many of these proteins play previously unexpected roles in metabolism, cardiovascular function, or neuron biology. The modulation of their enzymatic activity may therefore have multiple therapeutic benefits in human disease.

Centromere assembly and non-random sister chromatid segregation in stem cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben L. Carty ◽  
Elaine M. Dunleavy
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Germline Stem Cells ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Centromere Protein A ◽  
Oocyte Meiosis

Abstract Asymmetric cell division (ACD) produces daughter cells with separate distinct cell fates and is critical for the development and regulation of multicellular organisms. Epigenetic mechanisms are key players in cell fate determination. Centromeres, epigenetically specified loci defined by the presence of the histone H3-variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A), are essential for chromosome segregation at cell division. ACDs in stem cells and in oocyte meiosis have been proposed to be reliant on centromere integrity for the regulation of the non-random segregation of chromosomes. It has recently been shown that CENP-A is asymmetrically distributed between the centromeres of sister chromatids in male and female Drosophila germline stem cells (GSCs), with more CENP-A on sister chromatids to be segregated to the GSC. This imbalance in centromere strength correlates with the temporal and asymmetric assembly of the mitotic spindle and potentially orientates the cell to allow for biased sister chromatid retention in stem cells. In this essay, we discuss the recent evidence for asymmetric sister centromeres in stem cells. Thereafter, we discuss mechanistic avenues to establish this sister centromere asymmetry and how it ultimately might influence cell fate.

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