Main menu

Novel multicellular prokaryote discovered next to an underground stream


The emergence of multicellularity is a key event in the evolution of life and is an attractive challenge among researchers, including those investigating the artificial design of cellular behavior. Multicellular organisms are widely distributed on Earth, and retracing the specific conditions conducive for the initial transition from unicellularity to multicellularity is difficult. However, by examining organisms that inhabit unique (e.g., isolated) environmental niches, we may be able to get a glimpse into primitive multicellularity in the context of a given environment.

Here we report the discovery of a new bacterium that displayed multicellular-like characteristics and behavior. The bacterium, which was isolated adjacent to an underground stream in a limestone cave, is to be named Jeongeupia sacculi sp. nov. HS-3. On a solid surface, HS-3 self-organizes its filamentous cells to form an appearance similar to the nematic phase of a liquid crystal. Mature colonies produce and accommodate clusters of coccobacillus progeny, and release them upon contact with water. HS-3 demonstrated novel, spatiotemporally regulated multicellularity that can resolve the so-called ‘competition-dispersal trade-off’ problem.

This study illustrates a hypothetical missing link on the emergence of multicellularity.

Authors: Kouhei Mizuno, Mais Maree, Toshihiko Nagamura, Akihiro Koga, Satoru Hirayama, Soichi Furukawa, Kenji Tanaka, Kazuya Morikawa

入門

MinION Starter Packを購入 ナノポア製品の販売 シークエンスサービスプロバイダー グローバルディストリビューター

ナノポア技術

ナノポアの最新ニュースを購読 リソースと発表文献 Nanopore Communityとは

Oxford Nanoporeについて

ニュース 会社沿革 持続可能性 経営陣 メディアリソース & お問い合わせ先 投資家向け パートナー向け Oxford Nanopore社で働く 現在の募集状況 営業上の情報 BSI 27001 accreditationBSI 90001 accreditationBSI mark of trust
Japanese flag