Genetic basis for soma is present in undifferentiated volvocine green algae.

ABSTRACT: Somatic cellular differentiation plays a critical role in the transition from unicellular to multicellular life, but the evolution of its genetic basis remains poorly understood. By definition, somatic cells do not reproduce to pass on genes and so constitute an extreme form of altruistic behaviour. The volvocine green algae provide an excellent model system to study the evolution of multicellularity and somatic differentiation. In Volvox carteri, somatic cell differentiation is controlled by the regA gene, which is part of a tandem duplication of genes known as the reg cluster. Although previous work found the reg cluster in divergent Volvox species, its origin and distribution in the broader group of volvocine algae has not been known. Here, we show that the reg cluster is present in man

SUBMITTER: Grochau-Wright ZI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5540444 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature