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Ortjohann M, Leippe M. Molecular characterization of two newly recognized lysozymes of the protist Dictyostelium discoideum. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2025; 164:105334. [PMID: 39909204 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2025.105334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2025] [Revised: 01/23/2025] [Accepted: 02/02/2025] [Indexed: 02/07/2025]
Abstract
The model organism Dictyostelium discoideum functions as a social amoeba that can aggregate, eventually forming a fruiting body composed of a fixed number of cells. This behavior requires a soluble counting factor (CF) complex, which plays a key role in group size determination and has been identified earlier. The CF complex comprises among others the proteins CF45-1 and CF50. Although both proteins share sequence similarities with characterized Chalaropsis- and Entamoeba-type lysozymes, enzymatic activity has not been confirmed until now. CF lysozymes have unusual sequence characteristics consisting of an N-terminal glycoside hydrolase family 25 (GH25) domain and a C-terminal low-complexity region rich in serine, glycine, alanine, and asparagine residues. In this study, we present the production and purification of soluble recombinant CF lysozymes and demonstrate notable enzymatic activity, in particular for CF50. Additionally, a truncated version of CF50, which lacks the C-terminal low-complexity region, displayed significantly enhanced lysozyme activity compared to the entire enzyme. Both CF lysozymes exerted strict pH dependence with maximal activity observed under acidic conditions at pH 3.0-3.5. Moreover, the enzymes displayed highest activity at low ionic strengths and were stable at relatively low temperatures only. Using structural modeling and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified a glutamic acid residue essential for catalysis. Conclusively, we propose a neighboring group catalytic mechanism analogous to that of other GH25 lysozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Ortjohann
- Comparative Immunobiology, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Leippe
- Comparative Immunobiology, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24118, Kiel, Germany.
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2
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Dinda SK, Hazra S, De A, Datta A, Das L, Pattanayak S, Kumar K, Dey MD, Basu A, Manna D. Amoebae: beyond pathogens- exploring their benefits and future potential. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1518925. [PMID: 39744153 PMCID: PMC11688213 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1518925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025] Open
Abstract
Amoebae, fascinatingly diverse protists, showcase a dual nature that positions them as both friends and foes in our world. These organisms, defined by their distinctive pseudopodia, span a spectrum from harmful to helpful. On the darker side, species like Entamoeba histolytica pose serious health risks, causing intestinal and liver diseases, while the infamous "brain-eating" Naegleria fowleri leads to fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with a daunting 97% mortality rate. Other free-living amoebae, including Acanthamoeba castellanii and Balamuthia mandrillaris, also threaten the human central nervous system. Yet, beyond these dangers, amoebae play critical ecological roles. They function as nature's recyclers, decomposing organic material and nourishing aquatic ecosystems, while also serving as food for various organisms. Moreover, certain amoebae help control plant pathogens and offer insight into human disease, proving valuable as model organisms in biomedical research. This review sheds light on the complex, multifaceted world of amoebae, highlighting their dual role as pathogens and as key contributors to vital ecological processes, as well as their significant impact on research and their promising potential for enhancing human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Kalyan Dinda
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Shreyasee Hazra
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Anwesha De
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Annurima Datta
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Lipika Das
- Department of Microbiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Santanu Pattanayak
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Kishor Kumar
- Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Manash Deep Dey
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Arnab Basu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
| | - Dipak Manna
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India
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Ortjohann M, Leippe M. Molecular Characterization of Ancient Prosaposin-like Proteins from the Protist Dictyostelium discoideum. Biochemistry 2024; 63:2768-2777. [PMID: 39421968 PMCID: PMC11542183 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2024] [Revised: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
To combat the permanent exposure to potential pathogens every organism relies on an immune system. Important factors in innate immunity are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are structurally highly diverse. Some AMPs are known to belong to the saposin-like proteins (SAPLIPs), a group of polypeptides with a broad functional spectrum. The model organism Dictyostelium discoideum possesses a remarkably large arsenal of potential SAPLIPs, which are termed amoebapore-like peptides (Apls), but the knowledge about these proteins is very limited. Here, we report about the biochemical characterization of AplE1, AplE2, AplK1, and AplK2, which are derived from the two precursor proteins AplE and AplK, thereby resembling prosaposins of vertebrates. We produced these Apls as recombinant polypeptides in Escherichia coli using a self-splicing intein to remove an affinity tag used for purification. All recombinant Apls exhibited pore-forming activity in a pH-dependent manner, as evidenced by liposome depolarization, showing higher activities the more acidic the setting was. Lipid preference was detected for negatively charged phospholipids and in particular for cardiolipin. Antimicrobial activity against various bacteria was found to be inferior in classical microdilution assays. However, all of the Apls studied permeabilized the cytoplasmic membrane of live Bacillus subtilis. Collectively, we assume that the selected Apls interact by their cationic charge with negatively charged bacterial membranes in acidic environments such as phagolysosomes and eventually lyse the target cells by pore formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Ortjohann
- Comparative Immunobiology,
Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität
Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Leippe
- Comparative Immunobiology,
Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität
Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
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4
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Kazmi SSUH, Saqib HSA, Pastorino P, Grossart HP, Yaseen ZM, Abualreesh MH, Liu W, Wang Z. Influence of the antibiotic nitrofurazone on community dynamics of marine periphytic ciliates: Evidence from community-based bioassays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166687. [PMID: 37659544 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Marine periphytic ciliates play a pivotal role in shaping coastal ecosystems dynamics, thereby acting as robust biological indicators of aquatic ecosystem health and functionality. However, the understanding of the effects of veterinary antibiotics on composition and structure of periphytic ciliate communities remains limited. Therefore, this research investigates the influence of the veterinary antibiotic nitrofurazone on the community dynamics of marine periphytic ciliates through bioassay experiments conducted over a one-year cycle. Various concentrations of nitrofurazone were administered to the tested ciliate assemblages, and subsequent changes in community composition, abundance, and diversity were quantitatively analyzed. The research revealed significant alterations in periphytic ciliate communities following exposure to nitrofurazone. Concentration-dependent (0-8 mg L-1) decrease in ciliates abundance, accompanied by shifts in species composition, community structure, and community patterns were observed. Comprehensive assessment of diversity metrics indicated significant changes in species richness and evenness in the presence of nitrofurazone, potentially disrupting the stability of ciliate communities. Furthermore, nitrofurazone significantly influenced the community structure of ciliates in all seasons (winter: R2 = 0.489; spring: R2 = 0.666; summer: R2 = 0.700, autumn: R2 = 0.450), with high toxic potential in treatments 4 and 8 mg L-1. Differential abundances of ciliates varied across seasons and nitrofurazone treatments, some orders like Pleurostomatida were consistently affected, while others (i.e., Strombidida and Philasterida) showed irregular distributions or were evenly affected (e.g., Urostylida and Synhymeniida). Retrieved contrasting patterns between nitrofurazone and community responses underscore the broad response repertoire exhibited by ciliates to antibiotic exposure, suggesting potential cascading effects on associated ecological processes in the periphyton community. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of the ecological impacts of nitrofurazone on marine periphytic ciliate communities, emphasizing the imperative for vigilant monitoring and regulation of veterinary antibiotics to protect marine ecosystem health and biodiversity. Further research is required to explore the long-term effects of nitrofurazone exposure and evaluate potential strategies to reduce the ecological repercussions of antibiotics in aquatic environments, with a particular focus on nitrofurazone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Shabi Ul Hassan Kazmi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; Biochemistry and Biological Engineering Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah 64001, Iraq.
| | - Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Paolo Pastorino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, (IGB), Alte Fischerhuette 2, Neuglobsow 16775, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 2, Potsdam 14469, Germany
| | - Zaher Mundher Yaseen
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muyassar H Abualreesh
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wenhua Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China.
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Kazmi SSUH, Xu H, Warren A. A community-based approach to analyzing the ecotoxicity of nitrofurazone using periphytic protozoa. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113165. [PMID: 34839952 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ecotoxicity of nitrofurazone was analyzed based on a community-based approach using periphytic protozoa. Median lethal concentrations (LC50) within an exposure time of 30 min were determined by an acute toxicity test at 0, 1.5, 3, 6 and 12 mg ml-1 nitrofurazone. Toxicity curve tests demonstrated a decreasing trend with increasing exposure time and was well fitted to the toxicity equation LC50 = 32.85e-0.8143t (t = exposure time; R2 = 0.91; P < 0.05). Median inhibition concentrations (IC50) for periphytic protozoan growth rates were obtained by chronic tests at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg ml-1 nitrofurazone within 10 days exposure and were well fitted to the equation r% = 0.3686e-0.35Cnit (Cnit is the concentration of nitrofurazone; R2 = 0.92 and P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the LC50 and IC50 values of nitrofurazone can be predicted for any exposure time using periphytic protozoan communities as a bioassay model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henglong Xu
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
| | - Alan Warren
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
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6
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Chen X, Köllner TG, Shaulsky G, Jia Q, Dickschat JS, Gershenzon J, Chen F. Diversity and Functional Evolution of Terpene Synthases in Dictyostelid Social Amoebae. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14361. [PMID: 30254228 PMCID: PMC6156593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dictyostelids, or social amoebae, have a unique life style in forming multicellular fruiting bodies from unicellular amoeboids upon starvation. Recently, dictyostelids were found to contain terpene synthase (TPS) genes, a gene type of secondary metabolism previously known to occur only in plants, fungi and bacteria. Here we report an evolutionary functional study of dictyostelid TPS genes. The number of TPS genes in six species of dictyostelids examined ranges from 1 to 19; and the model species Dictyostelium purpureum contains 12 genes. Using in vitro enzyme assays, the 12 TPS genes from D. purpureum were shown to encode functional enzymes with distinct product profiles. The expression of the 12 TPS genes in D. purpureum is developmentally regulated. During multicellular development, D. purpureum releases a mixture of volatile terpenes dominated by sesquiterpenes that are the in vitro products of a subset of the 12 TPS genes. The quality and quantity of the terpenes released from D. purpureum, however, bear little resemblance to those of D. discoideum, a closely related dictyostelid. Despite these variations, the conserved clade of dictyostelid TPSs, which have an evolutionary distance of more than 600 million years, has the same biochemical function, catalyzing the formation of a sesquiterpene protoillud-7-ene. Taken together, our results indicate that the dynamic evolution of dictyostelid TPS genes includes both purifying selection of an orthologous group and species-specific expansion with functional divergence. Consequently, the terpenes produced by these TPSs most likely have conserved as well as species-adaptive biological functions as chemical languages in dictyostelids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Gad Shaulsky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qidong Jia
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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7
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Abstract
Specialized adaptations for killing microbes are synonymous with phagocytic cells including macrophages, monocytes, inflammatory neutrophils, and eosinophils. Recent genome sequencing of extant species, however, reveals that analogous antimicrobial machineries exist in certain non-immune cells and also within species that ostensibly lack a well-defined immune system. Here we probe the evolutionary record for clues about the ancient and diverse phylogenetic origins of macrophage killing mechanisms and how some of their properties are shared with cells outside the traditional bounds of immunity in higher vertebrates such as mammals.
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Ducasse H, Arnal A, Vittecoq M, Daoust SP, Ujvari B, Jacqueline C, Tissot T, Ewald P, Gatenby RA, King KC, Bonhomme F, Brodeur J, Renaud F, Solary E, Roche B, Thomas F. Cancer: an emergent property of disturbed resource-rich environments? Ecology meets personalized medicine. Evol Appl 2015; 8:527-40. [PMID: 26136819 PMCID: PMC4479509 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For an increasing number of biologists, cancer is viewed as a dynamic system governed by evolutionary and ecological principles. Throughout most of human history, cancer was an uncommon cause of death and it is generally accepted that common components of modern culture, including increased physiological stresses and caloric intake, favor cancer development. However, the precise mechanisms for this linkage are not well understood. Here, we examine the roles of ecological and physiological disturbances and resource availability on the emergence of cancer in multicellular organisms. We argue that proliferation of 'profiteering phenotypes' is often an emergent property of disturbed, resource-rich environments at all scales of biological organization. We review the evidence for this phenomenon, explore it within the context of malignancy, and discuss how this ecological framework may offer a theoretical background for novel strategies of cancer prevention. This work provides a compelling argument that the traditional separation between medicine and evolutionary ecology remains a fundamental limitation that needs to be overcome if complex processes, such as oncogenesis, are to be completely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Ducasse
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Audrey Arnal
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Marion Vittecoq
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- Centre de Recherche de la Tour du ValatArles, France
| | - Simon P Daoust
- Department of Biology, John Abbott CollegeSainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityWaurn Ponds, Vic., Australia
| | - Camille Jacqueline
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Tazzio Tissot
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Paul Ewald
- Department of Biology and the Program on Disease Evolution, University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY, USA
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research InstituteTampa, FL, USA
| | - Kayla C King
- Department of Zoology, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - François Bonhomme
- ISEM Institut des sciences de l'évolution, Université Montpellier 2, CNRS/IRD/UM2 UMR 5554Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Jacques Brodeur
- Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université de MontréalMontréal, QC, Canada
| | - François Renaud
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM U1009, Université Paris-Sud, Gustave RoussyVillejuif, France
| | - Benjamin Roche
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- Unité mixte internationale de Modélisation Mathématique et Informatique des Systèmes Complexes (UMI IRD/UPMC UMMISCO)BondyCedex, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- CREEC, Université Montpellier 2Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Glöckner G, Noegel AA. Comparative genomics in the Amoebozoa clade. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2012; 88:215-25. [PMID: 23134060 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2012.00248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Amoeboid life forms can be found throughout the evolutionary tree. The greatest proportion of these life forms is found in the Amoebozoa clade, one of the six major eukaryote evolutionary branches. Despite its common origin this clade exhibits a wide diversity of lifestyles including free-living and parasitic species and species with multicellular and multinucleate life stages. In this group, development, cooperation, and social behaviour can be studied in addition to traits common to unicellular organisms. To date, only a few Amoebozoa genomes have been sequenced completely, however a number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and complete and draft genomes have become available recently for several species that represent some of the major evolutionary lineages in this clade. This resource allows us to compare and analyse the evolutionary history and fate of branch-specific genes if properly exploited. Despite the large evolutionary time scale since the emergence of the major groups the genomic organization in Amoebozoa has retained common features. The number of Amoebozoa-specific genetic inventions seems to be rather small. The emergence of subgroups is accompanied by gene and domain losses and acquisitions of bacterial gene material. The sophisticated developmental cycles of Myxogastria and Dictyosteliida likely have a common origin and are deeply rooted in amoebozoan evolution. In this review we describe initial approaches to comparative genomics in Amoebozoa, summarize recent findings, and identify goals for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Glöckner
- Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, IGB, Müggelseedamm 301, Berlin, D-12587, Germany.
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10
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Chen ZH, Schaap P. The prokaryote messenger c-di-GMP triggers stalk cell differentiation in Dictyostelium. Nature 2012; 488:680-3. [PMID: 22864416 PMCID: PMC3939355 DOI: 10.1038/nature11313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic di-(3′:5′)-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a major prokaryote signalling intermediate that is synthesized by diguanylate cyclases and triggers sessility and biofilm formation. We detected the first eukaryote diguanylate cyclases in all major groups of Dictyostelia. On food depletion, Dictyostelium discoideum amoebas collect into aggregates, which first transform into migrating slugs and then into sessile fruiting structures. These structures consist of a spherical spore mass that is supported by a column of stalk cells and a basal disk. A polyketide, DIF-1, which induces stalk-like cells in vitro, was isolated earlier. However, its role in vivo proved recently to be restricted to basal disk formation. Here we show that the Dictyostelium diguanylate cyclase, DgcA, produces c-di-GMP as the morphogen responsible for stalk cell differentiation. Dictyostelium discoideum DgcA synthesized c-di-GMP in a GTP-dependent manner and was expressed at the slug tip, which is the site of stalk cell differentiation. Disruption of the DgcA gene blocked the transition from slug migration to fructification and the expression of stalk genes. Fructification and stalk formation were restored by exposing DgcA-null slugs to wild-type secretion products or to c-di-GMP. Moreover, c-di-GMP, but not cyclic di-(3′:5′)-adenosine monophosphate, induced stalk gene expression in dilute cell monolayers. Apart from identifying the long-elusive stalk-inducing morphogen, our work also identifies a role for c-di-GMP in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-hui Chen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Pauline Schaap
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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11
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Jack C, Adu-Oppong B, Powers M, Queller D, Strassmann J. Cost of movement in the multicellular stage of the social amoebaeDictyostelium discoideumandD. purpureum. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2011.584907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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12
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An expanded phylogeny of social amoebas (Dictyostelia) shows increasing diversity and new morphological patterns. BMC Evol Biol 2011; 11:84. [PMID: 21453486 PMCID: PMC3073913 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Social Amoebae or Dictyostelia are eukaryotic microbes with a unique life cycle consisting of both uni- and multicellular stages. They have long fascinated molecular, developmental and evolutionary biologists, and Dictyostelium discoideum is now one of the most widely studied eukaryotic microbial models. The first molecular phylogeny of Dictyostelia included most of the species known at the time and suggested an extremely deep taxon with a molecular depth roughly equivalent to Metazoa. The group was also shown to consist of four major clades, none of which correspond to traditional genera. Potential morphological justification was identified for three of the four major groups, on the basis of which tentative names were assigned. Results Over the past four years, the Mycetozoan Global Biodiversity Survey has identified many new isolates that appear to be new species of Dictyostelia, along with numerous isolates of previously described species. We have determined 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences for all of these new isolates. Phylogenetic analyses of these data show at least 50 new species, and these arise from throughout the dictyostelid tree breaking up many previously isolated long branches. The resulting tree now shows eight well-supported major groups instead of the original four. The new species also expand the known morphological diversity of the previously established four major groups, violating nearly all previously suggested deep morphological patterns. Conclusions A greatly expanded phylogeny of Dictyostelia now shows even greater morphological plasticity at deep taxonomic levels. In fact, there now seem to be no obvious deep evolutionary trends across the group. However at a finer level, patterns in morphological character evolution are beginning to emerge. These results also suggest that there is a far greater diversity of Dictyostelia yet to be discovered, including novel morphologies.
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Abstract
Dictyostelium discoideum belongs to a group of multicellular life forms that can also exist for long periods as single cells. This ability to shift between uni- and multicellularity makes the group ideal for studying the genetic changes that occurred at the crossroads between uni- and multicellular life. In this Primer, I discuss the mechanisms that control multicellular development in Dictyostelium discoideum and reconstruct how some of these mechanisms evolved from a stress response in the unicellular ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Schaap
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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14
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Shina MC, Müller-Taubenberger A, Ünal C, Schleicher M, Steinert M, Eichinger L, Müller R, Blau-Wasser R, Glöckner G, Noegel AA. Redundant and unique roles of coronin proteins in Dictyostelium. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:303-13. [PMID: 20640912 PMCID: PMC11114531 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Revised: 05/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dictyostelium discoideum harbors a short (CRN12) and a long coronin (CRN7) composed of one and two beta-propellers, respectively. They are primarily present in the cell cortex and cells lacking CRN12 (corA⁻) or CRN7 (corB⁻) have defects in actin driven processes. We compared the characteristics of a mutant cell line (corA⁻/corB⁻) lacking CRN12 and CRN7 with the single mutants focusing on cytokinesis, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and development. Cytokinesis, uptake of small particles, and developmental defects were not enhanced in the corA⁻/corB⁻ strain as compared to the single mutants, whereas motility and phagocytosis of yeast particles were more severely impaired. It appears that although both proteins affect the same processes they do not act in a redundant manner. Rather, they often act antagonistically, which is in accordance with their proposed roles in the actin cytoskeleton where CRN12 acts in actin disassembly whereas CRN7 stabilizes actin filaments and protects them from disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C. Shina
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Annette Müller-Taubenberger
- Institute for Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Can Ünal
- Institute for Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
- Present Address: Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Malmö, University Hospital, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Michael Schleicher
- Institute for Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Steinert
- Institute for Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Ludwig Eichinger
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Blau-Wasser
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gernot Glöckner
- Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika A. Noegel
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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15
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Galardi-Castilla M, Garciandía A, Suarez T, Sastre L. The Dictyostelium discoideum acaA gene is transcribed from alternative promoters during aggregation and multicellular development. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13286. [PMID: 20949015 PMCID: PMC2952602 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 09/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular cAMP is a key extracellular signaling molecule that regulates aggregation, cell differentiation and morphogenesis during multi-cellular development of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. This molecule is produced by three different adenylyl cyclases, encoded by the genes acaA, acrA and acgA, expressed at different stages of development and in different structures. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This article describes the characterization of the promoter region of the acaA gene, showing that it is transcribed from three different alternative promoters. The distal promoter, promoter 1, is active during the aggregation process while the more proximal promoters are active in tip-organiser and posterior regions of the structures. A DNA fragment containing the three promoters drove expression to these same regions and similar results were obtained by in situ hybridization. Analyses of mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR with specific primers for each of the three transcripts also demonstrated their different temporal patterns of expression. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The existence of an aggregation-specific promoter can be associated with the use of cAMP as chemo-attractant molecule, which is specific for some Dictyostelium species. Expression at late developmental stages indicates that adenylyl cyclase A might play a more important role in post-aggregative development than previously considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Galardi-Castilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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16
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A fully resolved phylogeny of the social amoebas (Dictyostelia) based on combined SSU and ITS rDNA sequences. Protist 2010; 161:539-48. [PMID: 20303322 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2009.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The dictyostelids possess a complex life cycle including aggregative and multicellular stages. They also include one of the most widely studied protistan model organisms, Dictyostelium discoideum. The current molecular phylogeny of dictyostelids is based largely on SSU (18S) rDNA sequences and shows a deep taxon consisting of four major groups, none of which correspond to the three traditional morphologically-defined genera. However, due to the generally slowly evolving nature of SSU rDNA, these data fail to resolve the majority of branches within the four groups. Given the highly morphologically mixed nature of the dictyostelid groups, it is important to resolve relationships within them. We have determined sequences for the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of rDNA for nearly all species in the original dictyostelid global phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses of these data, in combination with the previously determined SSU rDNA sequences, confidently resolve nearly all branches in the tree. This now fully resolved phylogeny confirms the utility of ITS for dictyostelid systematics and lays the ground work for further evolutionary study of the group.
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Shina MC, Müller R, Blau-Wasser R, Glöckner G, Schleicher M, Eichinger L, Noegel AA, Kolanus W. A cytohesin homolog in Dictyostelium amoebae. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9378. [PMID: 20186335 PMCID: PMC2826412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dictyostelium, an amoeboid motile cell, harbors several paralogous Sec7 genes that encode members of three distinct subfamilies of the Sec7 superfamily of Guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Among them are proteins of the GBF/BIG family present in all eukaryotes. The third subfamily represented with three members in D. discoideum is the cytohesin family that has been thought to be metazoan specific. Cytohesins are characterized by a Sec7 PH tandem domain and have roles in cell adhesion and migration. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Dictyostelium SecG exhibits highest homologies to the cytohesins. It harbors at its amino terminus several ankyrin repeats that are followed by the Sec7 PH tandem domain. Mutants lacking SecG show reduced cell-substratum adhesion whereas cell-cell adhesion that is important for development is not affected. Accordingly, multicellular development proceeds normally in the mutant. During chemotaxis secG(-) cells elongate and migrate in a directed fashion towards cAMP, however speed is moderately reduced. SIGNIFICANCE The data indicate that SecG is a relevant factor for cell-substrate adhesion and reveal the basic function of a cytohesin in a lower eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Christina Shina
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Blau-Wasser
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Gernot Glöckner
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz-Lipmann-Institute e.V., Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Schleicher
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Ludwig Eichinger
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Angelika A. Noegel
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
- * E-mail: (AAN); (WK)
| | - Waldemar Kolanus
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, LIMES Institute of the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail: (AAN); (WK)
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18
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Joseph JM, Fey P, Ramalingam N, Liu XI, Rohlfs M, Noegel AA, Müller-Taubenberger A, Glöckner G, Schleicher M. The actinome of Dictyostelium discoideum in comparison to actins and actin-related proteins from other organisms. PLoS One 2008; 3:e2654. [PMID: 18612387 PMCID: PMC2441452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2008] [Accepted: 06/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin belongs to the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells which harbor usually many conventional actin isoforms as well as actin-related proteins (Arps). To get an overview over the sometimes confusing multitude of actins and Arps, we analyzed the Dictyostelium discoideum actinome in detail and compared it with the genomes from other model organisms. The D. discoideum actinome comprises 41 actins and actin-related proteins. The genome contains 17 actin genes which most likely arose from consecutive gene duplications, are all active, in some cases developmentally regulated and coding for identical proteins (Act8-group). According to published data, the actin fraction in a D. discoideum cell consists of more than 95% of these Act8-type proteins. The other 16 actin isoforms contain a conventional actin motif profile as well but differ in their protein sequences. Seven actin genes are potential pseudogenes. A homology search of the human genome using the most typical D. discoideum actin (Act8) as query sequence finds the major actin isoforms such as cytoplasmic beta-actin as best hit. This suggests that the Act8-group represents a nearly perfect actin throughout evolution. Interestingly, limited data from D. fasciculatum, a more ancient member among the social amoebae, show different relationships between conventional actins. The Act8-type isoform is most conserved throughout evolution. Modeling of the putative structures suggests that the majority of the actin-related proteins is functionally unrelated to canonical actin. The data suggest that the other actin variants are not necessary for the cytoskeleton itself but rather regulators of its dynamical features or subunits in larger protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayabalan M. Joseph
- Adolf Butenandt Inst./Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Petra Fey
- dictyBase, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nagendran Ramalingam
- Adolf Butenandt Inst./Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Xiao I. Liu
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Meino Rohlfs
- Adolf Butenandt Inst./Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Angelika A. Noegel
- Institute for Biochemistry I, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Koeln, Germany
| | - Annette Müller-Taubenberger
- Adolf Butenandt Inst./Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
| | - Gernot Glöckner
- Leibniz-Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Schleicher
- Adolf Butenandt Inst./Cell Biology and Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Muenchen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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19
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Ploeger A, van der Maas HLJ, Raijmakers MEJ. Is Evolutionary Developmental Biology a Viable Approach to the Study of the Human Mind? PSYCHOLOGICAL INQUIRY 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/10478400701774147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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