Dominic K. Devlin , Austen R.D. Ganley , Nobuto Takeuchi
{"title":"A pan-metazoan view of germline-soma distinction challenges our understanding of how the metazoan germline evolves","authors":"Dominic K. Devlin , Austen R.D. Ganley , Nobuto Takeuchi","doi":"10.1016/j.coisb.2023.100486","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A germline-soma distinction — irreversible differentiation from reproductive germline cells to sterile somatic cells — is a landmark of cellular cooperation in metazoans. Traditionally, this distinction was considered a property of only some metazoan taxa, such as vertebrates and insects. However, recent studies on a number of other metazoan taxa are challenging this traditional perspective, suggesting that a germline-soma distinction is widespread among metazoans. Here, we review recent molecular and cellular evidence supporting this suggestion and emphasise the difference between germline-soma distinction and germline segregation. We also outline the considerable diversity among metazoans in germline specification, segregation and regeneration. We finish by discussing how evolutionary explanations for this diversity can be investigated by harnessing theoretical modelling approaches.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37400,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Systems Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452310023000434/pdfft?md5=06baf838b4701fd9a8bb16f2bc11278d&pid=1-s2.0-S2452310023000434-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Current Opinion in Systems Biology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452310023000434","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
A germline-soma distinction — irreversible differentiation from reproductive germline cells to sterile somatic cells — is a landmark of cellular cooperation in metazoans. Traditionally, this distinction was considered a property of only some metazoan taxa, such as vertebrates and insects. However, recent studies on a number of other metazoan taxa are challenging this traditional perspective, suggesting that a germline-soma distinction is widespread among metazoans. Here, we review recent molecular and cellular evidence supporting this suggestion and emphasise the difference between germline-soma distinction and germline segregation. We also outline the considerable diversity among metazoans in germline specification, segregation and regeneration. We finish by discussing how evolutionary explanations for this diversity can be investigated by harnessing theoretical modelling approaches.
期刊介绍:
Current Opinion in Systems Biology is a new systematic review journal that aims to provide specialists with a unique and educational platform to keep up-to-date with the expanding volume of information published in the field of Systems Biology. It publishes polished, concise and timely systematic reviews and opinion articles. In addition to describing recent trends, the authors are encouraged to give their subjective opinion on the topics discussed. As this is such a broad discipline, we have determined themed sections each of which is reviewed once a year. The following areas will be covered by Current Opinion in Systems Biology: -Genomics and Epigenomics -Gene Regulation -Metabolic Networks -Cancer and Systemic Diseases -Mathematical Modelling -Big Data Acquisition and Analysis -Systems Pharmacology and Physiology -Synthetic Biology -Stem Cells, Development, and Differentiation -Systems Biology of Mold Organisms -Systems Immunology and Host-Pathogen Interaction -Systems Ecology and Evolution