Complex life cycles of multicellular eukaryotes: New approaches based on the use of model organisms

Susana Coelho (1) , Akira F Peters (2) , Bénédicte Charrier (3) , Denis Roze (2) , Christophe Destombe (4) , Myriam Valero (4) , J. Mark Cock (3)

1 LBI2M - Laboratoire de Biologie Intégrative des Modèles Marins
2 SBR - Station biologique de Roscoff [Roscoff]
3 Végétaux marins et biomolécules
4 EBEA - Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae

A wide variety of life cycles can be found in the different groups of multicellular eukaryotes. Here we provide an overview of this variety, and review some of the theoretical arguments that have been put forward to explain the evolutionary stability of different life cycle strategies. We also describe recent progress in the analysis of the haploid-diploid life cycle of the model angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana and show how new molecular data are providing a means to test some of the theoretical predictions. Finally, we describe an emerging model organism from the brown algae, Ectocarpus siliculosus, and highlight the potential of this system for the investigation of the mechanisms that regulate complex life cycles.

Mots clés: Arabidopsis thaliana; Gametophyte; Ectocarpus siliculosus; Life cycle; Model organism; Ploidy; Sporophyte; gametophyte; life cycle; model organism; ploidy; sporophyte AGP18; ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN 18; Ds; Dissociator; LEC1; LEAFY COTYLEDON1; LEC2; LEAFY COTYLEDON2; MADS; MCM1/AGAMOUS/DEFICIENS/SRF; SERK; SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE1; SPL; SPOROCYTELESS; ZmSERK; Zea mays SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE1

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Susana Coelho, Akira F Peters, Bénédicte Charrier, Denis Roze, Christophe Destombe, et al.. Complex life cycles of multicellular eukaryotes: New approaches based on the use of model organisms. Gene, 2007, 406 (1-2), pp.152 - 170. ⟨10.1016/j.gene.2007.07.025⟩. ⟨hal-01926745⟩