Cell biological study on the origin of male and female sex in eukaryotes

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14579
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Evolutionary biology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Miyamura Shinichi 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (00192766)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 性 / 進化 / 配偶子 / 緑色植物 / 細胞構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate the origin and evolution of two sexes, male and female, which is found in many eukaryotes, we focused on the sex-specific arrangement of the cell fusion site of the gamete in chlorophyte algae and analyzed its molecular mechanism and ecological significance. As for the molecular mechanism, we tried to isolate mutants of green alga Chlamydomonas, but it was not possible to find a target mutant. Regarding ecological significance, as a result of the observations of the fine structure, flagellar movement, eye size of planozygotes and zoospores of marine green alga Chaetomorpha, it is suggested that sex-specific arrangement of the cell fusion site has evolved as a result of adaptation to the environment of the habitat.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの真核生物と同じ様にヒトもオスとメス、２つの性をもち、それが社会の基盤になっている。しかしながら、ヒトも含めたオスとメス、２つの性の起源と進化については不明な点が多い。本研究で明らかになった２つの性を区別する配偶子の細胞学的特徴とその生態学的な意義は、２つの性と起源についての手がかりを与える意義があると考えられる。