The Evolution of Cell Division: From Streptophyte Algae to Land Plants. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buschmann, Henrik; Zachgo, Sabine
• Is Part Of: Trends in plant science. Volume 21:Number 10(2016)
• Page Start: 872
• Page End: 883
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: preprophase band -- phragmoplast -- centrosome -- algae -- land plant -- evolution; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; Botany; Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2016.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-1385

Abstract

Abstract : The mechanism of cell division has undergone significant alterations during the evolution from aquatic streptophyte algae to land plants. Two new structures evolved, the cytokinetic phragmoplast and the preprophase band (PPB) of microtubules, whereas the ancestral mechanism of cleavage and the centrosomes disappeared. We map cell biological data onto the recently emerged phylogenetic tree of streptophytes. The tree suggests that, after the establishment of the phragmoplast mechanism, several groups independently lost their centrosomes. Surprisingly, the phragmoplast shows reductions in the Zygnematophyceae (the sister to land plants), many of which returned to cleavage. The PPB by contrast evolved stepwise and, most likely, originated in the algae. The phragmoplast/PPB mechanism established in this way served as a basis for the 3D development of land plants. Trends: Recent large-scale sequencing efforts and phylogenetic analyses of green organisms held a surprise. The structurally most-refined algae, the Charales, are not the sister to land plants. Instead, several papers indicate that this is the morphologically much simpler Zygnematophyceae (e.g., Spirogyra, Closterium ). Consistent with these findings, cell division in the Zygnematophyceae shows some surprisingly land plant-like features. Recent work has provided insight into the mechanisms underlying cell division plane control in higher plants. In addition, modifications of the canonical mechanism were described for the basal land plants Marchantia and Physcomitrella .