title: Volvox: A simple algal model for embryogenesis, morphogenesis and cellular differentiation.
abstract: Patterning of a multicellular body plan involves a coordinated set of developmental processes that includes cell division, morphogenesis, and cellular differentiation. These processes have been most intensively studied in animals and land plants; however, deep insight can also be gained by studying development in simpler multicellular organisms. The multicellular green alga Volvox carteri (Volvox) is an excellent model for the investigation of developmental mechanisms and their evolutionary origins. Volvox has a streamlined body plan that contains only a few thousand cells and two distinct cell types: reproductive germ cells and terminally differentiated somatic cells. Patterning of the Volvox body plan is achieved through a stereotyped developmental program that includes embryonic cleavage with asymmetric cell division, morphogenesis, and cell-type differentiation. In this review we provide an overview of how these three developmental processes give rise to the adult form in Volvox and how developmental mutants have provided insights into the mechanisms behind these events. We highlight the accessibility and tractability of Volvox and its relatives that provide a unique opportunity for studying development.
authors.affiliation: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA; Washington University in St. Louis, Division of Biology & Biomedical Science, Campus Box 8226, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: gmatt@danforthcenter.org.
authors.forename: Gavriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.affiliation: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA. Electronic address: JUmen@danforthcenter.org.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Umen
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle; D019070:Cell Lineage; D048429:Cell Size; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D012100:Reproduction, Asexual; D012639:Seeds; D044446:Volvox / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology