title: Evolution and regulation of complex life cycles: a brown algal perspective.
abstract: The life cycle of an organism is one of its fundamental features, influencing many aspects of its biology. The brown algae exhibit a diverse range of life cycles indicating that transitions between life cycle types may have been key adaptive events in the evolution of this group. Life cycle mutants, identified in the model organism Ectocarpus, are providing information about how life cycle progression is regulated at the molecular level in brown algae. We explore some of the implications of the phenotypes of the life cycle mutants described to date and draw comparisons with recent insights into life cycle regulation in the green lineage. Given the importance of coordinating growth and development with life cycle progression, we suggest that the co-option of ancient life cycle regulators to control key developmental events may be a common feature in diverse groups of multicellular eukaryotes.
authors: UPMC Univ. Paris 06, The Marine Plants and Biomolecules Laboratory, UMR 7139, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France; CNRS, UMR 7139, Laboratoire International Associé Dispersal and Adaptation in Marine Species, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France. Electronic address: cock@sb-roscoff.fr.
authors: J Mark
authors: JM
authors: Cock
authors: UPMC Univ. Paris 06, The Marine Plants and Biomolecules Laboratory, UMR 7139, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France; CNRS, UMR 7139, Laboratoire International Associé Dispersal and Adaptation in Marine Species, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Godfroy
authors: UPMC Univ. Paris 06, The Marine Plants and Biomolecules Laboratory, UMR 7139, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France; CNRS, UMR 7139, Laboratoire International Associé Dispersal and Adaptation in Marine Species, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Macaisne
authors: Bezhin Rosko, 29250 Santec, France.
authors: Akira F
authors: AF
authors: Peters
authors: UPMC Univ. Paris 06, The Marine Plants and Biomolecules Laboratory, UMR 7139, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France; CNRS, UMR 7139, Laboratoire International Associé Dispersal and Adaptation in Marine Species, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, BP74, 29682 Roscoff Cedex, France.
authors: Susana M
authors: SM
authors: Coelho
mesh_terms: D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004171:Diploidy; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006238:Haploidy; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D020418:Algal Proteins