Biology subjects

de Vries, J.

Publications and source records attributed to de Vries, J..

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Phylogenomic insights into the first multicellular streptophyte

Streptophytes are best known as the clade containing the teeming diversity of embryophytes (land plants)1-4. Next to embryophytes are however a range of freshwater and terrestrial algae that bear important information on the emergence of key traits of land plants. Among these, the Klebsormidiophyceae stand out. Thriving in diverse environments--from mundane (ubiquitous occurrence on tree barks and rocks) to extreme (from the Atacama Desert to the Antarctic); Klebsormidiophyceae can exhibit filamentous body plans and display remarkable resilience as colonizers of terrestrial habitats5,6. Currently, the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework for the Klebsormidiophyceae hampers our understanding of the evolutionary history of these key traits. Here, we conducted a phylogenomic analysis utilizing advanced models that can counteract systematic biases. We sequenced 24 new transcriptomes of Klebsormidiophyceae and combined them with 14 previously published genomic and transcriptomic datasets. Using phylogenomic analysis built on 420 loci and sophisticated models, we establish a novel phylogenetic structure, dividing the six distinct genera of Klebsormidiophyceae in a novel four-order-system, with deep divergences more than 898, 765, and 734 million years ago. The reconstruction of ancestral states for habitat suggests an evolutionary history of multiple transitions between terrestrial-aquatic habitats, with Klebsormidiales having conquered land earlier than embryophytes. Focusing on the body plan of the last common ancestor of Klebsormidiophyceae, we postulate it was likely filamentous whereas the sarcinoids and unicells in Klebsormidiophyceae are likely derived states. Our data reveal that the first multicellular streptophytes likely lived more than 900 million years ago.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Additively manufactured multiplexed electrochemical device (AMMED) for portable sample-to-answer detection

Portable sample-to-answer devices with applications in point-of-care settings have emerged to obviate the necessity of centralized laboratories for biomarker analysis. In this work, a smartphone-operated and additively manufactured multiplexed electrochemical device (AMMED) is presented for the portable detection of biomarkers in blood and saliva. AMMED is comprised of a customized portable potentiostat with a multiplexing feature, a 3D-printed sample collection cartridge to handle three samples of saliva and blood at the same time, a smartphone application to remotely control the potentiostat, and a 3D-printed-based multiplexed microfluidic electrochemical biosensor (test chip). Here, by employing additive manufacturing techniques, a simple, cleanroom-free, and scalable approach was proposed for the fabrication of the test chip. Moreover, these techniques can bring about easy integration of AMMED components. Additionally, the test chip can be compatible with different affinity-based bioassays which can be implemented in a multiplexed manner for detection. The AMMED components were successfully characterized in terms of electrochemical and fluidic performance. Particularly, to demonstrate the biosensing capabilities of the device, the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant and a well-established aptameric assay were selected as the representative biomarker and the bioassay, respectively. The proposed device accurately and selectively detected the target of interest in a rapid (5 min) and multiplex manner with a dynamic detection range of 1-10,000 pg. ml-1 in different media; and the clinical feasibility was assessed by several saliva patient samples. AMMED offers a versatile sample-to-answer platform that can be used for the detection of various biomarkers present in biofluids.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2023

Efficient hybrid strategies for assembling the plastome, mitochondriome, and large nuclear genome of diploid Ranunculus cassubicifolius (Ranunculaceae)

Currently, it is still a challenge - in terms of laboratory effort and cost, as well as assembly quality - to unravel the sequence of large and complex genomes from non-model plants. This often hampers the study of evolutionarily intricate species groups. The species-rich genus Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae) is an angiosperm model system for the study of polyploidy, apomixis, reticulate evolution, and biogeography. However, neither mitochondrial, nor high-quality nuclear genome sequences are available. This limits phylogenomic, functional, and taxonomic analyses thus far. Here, we tested Illumina short-read, Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) or PacBio/HiFi long-read, and hybrid-read assembly strategies. We used the diploid progenitor species R. cassubicifolius (R. auricomus complex), and selected the best assemblies in terms of completeness, contiguity, and quality scores. We first assembled the plastome (156 kbp, 85 genes) and mitogenome (1.18 Mbp, 40 genes) sequences using Illumina and Illumina-PacBio-hybrid strategies, respectively. We also present an updated plastome and the first mitogenome phylogeny of Ranunculaceae, including studies of gene loss (e.g., infA, ycf15, or rps) with evolutionary implications. For the nuclear genome, we favored a PacBio-based assembly three-times polished with filtered reads and subsequently scaffolded into 8 pseudochromosomes by chromatin conformation data (Hi-C) as the representative sequence. We obtained a haploid genome sequence with 2.69 Gbp, 94.5% complete BUSCO embryophyta_odb10 genes found, and 31,322 annotated genes. The genomic information presented here will improve phylogenomic analyses in this species complex, and will enable advanced functional, evolutionary, and biogeographic analyses for the genus and beyond Ranunculaceae in the future. Significance StatementThe genus Ranunculus is a model system in flowering plants for polyploidy, apomixis, evolution, and biogeography research. We present the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome sequence, and the plastid evolution of Ranunculaceae. Using Illumina, ONT, and PacBio data, we developed an efficient assembly strategy that can be applied to other non-model plants. Results presented here are useful for improving population genomic and phylogenomic analyses, and enable better functional analyses at species, genus and family level.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Fern cell walls and the evolution of arabinogalactan-proteins in streptophytes

Significant changes have occurred in plant cell wall composition during evolution and diversification of tracheophytes. As the sister lineage to seed plants, knowledge on the cell wall of ferns is key to track evolutionary changes across tracheophytes and to understand seed plant-specific evolutionary innovations. Fern cell wall composition is not fully understood, including limited knowledge of glycoproteins such as the fern arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs). Here, we characterize the AGPs from the leptosporangiate fern genera Azolla, Salvinia and Ceratopteris. The carbohydrate moiety of seed plant AGPs consists of a galactan backbone including mainly 1,3- and 1,3,6-linked pyranosidic galactose, which is conserved across the investigated fern AGPs. Yet, unlike AGPs of angiosperms, those of ferns contained the unusual sugar 3-O-methylrhamnose. Besides terminal furanosidic Ara (Araf), the main linkage type of Araf in the ferns was 1,2-linked Araf, whereas in seed plants 1,5-linked Araf is often dominating. Antibodies directed against carbohydrate epitopes of AGPs supported the structural differences between AGPs of ferns and seed plants. Comparison of AGP linkage types across the streptophyte lineage showed that angiosperms have rather conserved monosaccharide linkage types; by contrast bryophytes, ferns and gymnosperms showed more variability. Phylogenetic analyses of glycosyltransferases involved in AGP biosynthesis and bioinformatic search for AGP protein backbones revealed a versatile genetic toolkit for AGP complexity in ferns. Our data reveal important differences across AGP diversity which functional significance is unknown. This diversity sheds light on the evolution of the hallmark feature of tracheophytes: their elaborate cell walls. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFerns are the sister lineage of seed plants and key to understanding plant evolution. To understand ferns unique cell walls, we analysed arabinogalactan-proteins from the fern genera Azolla, Salvinia and Ceratopteris. Comparison of AGP structures throughout the streptophyte lineage reveals special features in relation to systematic positions and proposes a trend to more hydrophilic AGPs in course of evolution. Through comparative genomic analyses, we pinpoint the potential genetic players for this diversity in cell walls.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Environmental gradients reveal stress hubs predating plant terrestrialization

Plant terrestrialization brought forth the land plants (embryophytes). Embryophytes account for most of the biomass on land and evolved from streptophyte algae in a singular event. Recent advances have unraveled the first full genomes of the closest algal relatives of land plants; among the first such species was Mesotaenium endlicherianum. Here, we used fine-combed RNAseq in tandem with photophysiological assessment on Mesotaenium exposed to a continuous range of temperature and light cues. Our data establish a grid of 42 different conditions, resulting in 128 transcriptomes and ~1.5 Tbp (~9.9 billion reads) of data to study combinatory effects of stress response using clustering along gradients. We describe major hubs in genetic networks underpinning stress response and acclimation in the molecular physiology of Mesotaenium. Our data suggest that lipid droplet formation, plastid and cell wall-derived signals denominate molecular programs since more than 600 million years of streptophyte evolution--before plants made their first steps on land.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Unravelling drivers of local adaptation through Evolutionary Functional-Structural Plant modelling

O_LILocal adaptation to contrasting environmental conditions along environmental gradients is a widespread phenomenon in plant populations, yet we lack a mechanistic understanding of how individual agents of selection contribute to local adaptation. C_LIO_LIHere, we developed a novel evolutionary functional-structural plant (E-FSP) model that simulates local adaptation of virtual plants along an environmental gradient. First, we validate the model by testing if it can recreate two elevational ecotypes of Dianthus carthusianorum occurring in the Swiss Alps. Second, we use the E-FSP model to disentangle the relative contribution of abiotic (temperature) and biotic (competition and pollination) selection pressures to elevational adaptation in D. carthusianorum. C_LIO_LIThe model reproduced the qualitative differences between the elevational ecotypes in two phenological (germination and flowering time) and one morphological trait (stalk height), as well as qualitative differences in four performance variables that emerge from GxE interactions (flowering time, number of stalks, rosette area and seed production). Our results suggest that elevational adaptation in D. carthusianorum is predominantly driven by the abiotic environment. C_LIO_LIOur approach shows how E-FSP models incorporating physiological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms can be used in combination with experiments to examine hypotheses about patterns of adaptation observed in the field. C_LI

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

A phylogenomically informed five-order system for the closest relatives of land plants

The evolution of streptophytes had a profound impact on life on Earth. They brought forth those photosynthetic eukaryotes that today dominate the macroscopic flora: the land plants (Embryophyta) [1]. There is convincing evidence that the unicellular/filamentous Zygnematophyceae--and not the morphologically more elaborate Coleochaetophyceae or Charophyceae--are the closest algal relatives of land plants [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Despite the species richness (>4,000), wide distribution, and key evolutionary position of the zygnematophytes, their internal phylogeny remains largely unresolved [7, 8]. There are also putative zygnematophytes with interesting body plan modifications (e.g., filamentous growth) whose phylogenetic affiliations remain unknown. Here, we studied a filamentous green alga (strain MZCH580) from an Austrian peat bog with central or parietal chloroplasts that lack discernible pyrenoids. It represents Mougeotiopsis calospora PALLA, an enigmatic alga that was described more than 120 years ago [9], but never subjected to molecular analyses. We generated transcriptomic data of M. calospora strain MZCH580, and conducted comprehensive phylogenomic analyses (326 nuclear loci) for 46 taxonomically diverse zygnematophytes. Strain MZCH580 falls in a deep-branching zygnematophycean clade together with some unicellular species, and thus represents a formerly unknown zygnematophycean lineage with filamentous growth. Our well-supported phylogenomic tree lets us propose a new five-order system for the Zygnematophyceae, and provides evidence for at least five independent origins of true filamentous growth in the closest algal relatives of land plants. This phylogeny provides a robust and comprehensive framework for performing comparative analyses and inferring the evolution of cellular traits and body plans in the closest relatives of land plants.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Distinct physiological responses of Coccolithus braarudii life cycle phases to light intensity and nutrient availability

Coccolithophores feature a haplo-diplontic life cycle comprised of diploid cells producing heterococcoliths and haploid cells producing morphologically different holococcoliths. These life cycle phases of each species appear to have distinct spatial and temporal distributions in the oceans, with the heavily-calcified heterococcolithophores (HET) often more prevalent in winter and at greater depths, whilst the lightly-calcified holococcolithophores (HOL) are more abundant in summer and in shallower waters. The haplo-diplontic life cycle may therefore allow coccolithophores to expand their ecological niche, switching between life cycle phases to exploit conditions that are more favourable. However, coccolithophore life cycles remain poorly understood and fundamental information on the physiological differences between life cycle phases is required if we are to better understand the ecophysiology of coccolithophores. In this study, we have examined the physiology of HET and HOL phases of the coccolithophore Coccolithus braarudii in response to changes in light and nutrient availability. We found that the HOL phase was more tolerant to high light than the HET phase, which exhibited defects in calcification at high irradiances. The HET phase exhibited defects in coccolith formation under both nitrate (N) and phosphate (P) limitation, whilst no defects in calcification were detected in the HOL phase. The HOL phase grew to a higher cell density under P-limitation than N-limitation, whereas no difference was observed in the maximum cell density reached by the HET phase at these nutrient concentrations. HET cells grown under a light:dark cycle divided primarily in the dark and early part of the light phase, whereas HOL cells continued to divide throughout the 24 h period. The physiological differences may contribute to the distinct biogeographical distributions observed between life cycle phases, with the HOL phase potentially better adapted to high light, low nutrient regimes, such as those found in seasonally stratified surface waters. HighlightsO_LICoccolithus braarudii life cycle phases exhibit different physiological responses. C_LIO_LIThe heavily-calcified heterococcolithophores (HET) life cycle phase is more sensitive to high light. C_LIO_LIThe lightly-calcified holococcolithophores (HOL) life cycle phase may be better suited to growth under low phosphate availability. C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Underwater CAM photosynthesis elucidated by Isoetes genome

To conserve water in arid environments, numerous plant lineages have independently evolved Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Interestingly, Isoetes, an aquatic lycophyte, can also perform CAM as an adaptation to low CO2 availability underwater. However, little is known about the evolution of CAM in aquatic plants and the lack of genomic data has hindered comparison between aquatic and terrestrial CAM. Here, we investigated the underwater CAM in Isoetes taiwanensis by generating a high-quality genome assembly and RNA-seq time course. Despite broad similarities between CAM in Isoetes and terrestrial angiosperms, we identified several key differences. Notably, for carboxylation of PEP, Isoetes recruited the lesser-known "bacterial-type" PEPC, along with the "plant-type" exclusively used in other terrestrial CAM and C4 plants. Furthermore, we found that circadian control of key CAM pathway genes has diverged considerably in Isoetes relative to flowering plants. This suggests the existence of more evolutionary paths to CAM than previously recognized.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The evolution of the phenylpropanoid pathway entailed pronounced radiations and divergences of enzyme families

Land plants constantly respond to fluctuations in their environment. Part of their response is the production of a diverse repertoire of specialized metabolites. One of the foremost sources for metabolites relevant to environmental responses is the phenylpropanoid pathway, which was long thought to be a land plant-specific adaptation shaped by selective forces in the terrestrial habitat. Recent data have however revealed that streptophyte algae, the algal relatives of land plants, have candidates for the genetic toolkit for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and produce phenylpropanoid-derived metabolites. Using phylogenetic and sequence analyses, we here show that the enzyme families that orchestrate pivotal steps in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis have independently undergone pronounced radiations and divergence in multiple lineages of major groups of land plants; sister to many of these radiated gene families are streptophyte algal candidates for these enzymes. These radiations suggest a high evolutionary versatility in the enzyme families involved in the phenylpropanoid-derived metabolism across embryophytes. We suggest that this versatility likely translates into functional divergence and may explain the key to one of the defining traits of embryophytes: a rich specialized metabolism.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

South American freshwater fish diversity shaped by Andean uplift since the Late Cretaceous

South America is home to the highest freshwater fish biodiversity on Earth1,2. The hotspot of species richness is located in the western Amazon Basin, and richness decreases downstream along the Amazon River towards the mouth at the Atlantic coast (Fig. 1b, c)3,4, which contradicts the positive relationship between stream size and biodiversity that is commonly observed in river systems across the world5,6. We investigate the role of river rerouting events caused by Andean mountain building and repeated episodes of flooding in western Amazonia in shaping the modern-day richness pattern of freshwater fishes in South America. To this end, we combine a reconstruction of river networks following Andean surface uplift since 80 million years ago with a mechanistic biological model simulating dispersal, allopatric speciation and extinction over the dynamic landscape of rivers and lakes. We show that the numerous small river rerouting events in western Amazonia resulting from mountain building produced highly dynamic riverine habitats that caused high diversification rates, shaping the exceptional present-day richness of this region. The history of marine incursions and lakes, including the Miocene Pebas megawetland system in western Amazonia, played a secondary role. This study is a major step towards the understanding of the processes involved in the interactions between the solid Earth, landscapes, and life of extraordinary biodiverse South America. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=90 SRC="FIGDIR/small/444133v1_fig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (35K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c4643forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1916aa5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f0900forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@81ea9b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFig. 1.C_FLOATNO a, Major rivers and drainage basins of South America. HydroRIVERS data from the HydroSHEDS database17; rivers shown that drain a surface area of >4000 km2. b, Freshwater fish species richness per sub-basin (level 5 HydroBASINS17), reproduced from data from Cassemiro, et al. 4. c and d, Richness versus distance to outlet per sub-basins (as shown in panel b), illustrating the positive relationship (richness decreases towards the mouth of the river) for the Amazon (c), and, for comparison, a negative relationship for the Parana-Paraguay river basin (d). C_FIG

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2021

An ancient route towards salicylic acid and its implications for the perpetual Trichormus-Azolla symbiosis

Despite its small size, the water fern Azolla is a giant among plant symbioses. Within each of its leaflets, a specialized leaf cavity is home to a population of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria (cyanobionts). While examples of nitrogen fixing cyanobionts are found across the land plant tree of life, Azolla is unique in that its symbiosis is perpetual: the cyanobionts are inherited during sexual and vegetative propagation of the fern. What underpins the communication between the two partners? In angiosperms, the phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known regulator of plant-microbe interactions. Using HPLC-MS/MS, we pinpoint the presence of SA in the fern; using comparative genomics and phylogenetics, we mined homologs of SA biosynthesis genes across Chloroplastida (Viridiplantae). While canonical isochorismate synthase (ICS) sequences are largely limited to angiosperms, homologs for the entire Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL)-dependent pathway likely existed in the last common ancestor of land plants. Indeed, A. filiculoides secondarily lost its ICS, but has the genetic competence to derive SA from benzoic acid. Global gene expression data from cyanobiont-containing and -free A. filiculoides unveil a putative feedback loop: SA appears to induce cyanobacterial proliferation, which in turn down-regulates genes in SA biosynthesis and its responses.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

SARS-coronavirus-2 replication in Vero E6 cells: replication kinetics, rapid adaptation and cytopathology

The sudden emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of 2019 from the Chinese province of Hubei and its subsequent pandemic spread highlight the importance of understanding the full molecular details of coronavirus infection and pathogenesis. Here, we compared a variety of replication features of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV and analysed the cytopathology caused by the two closely related viruses in the commonly used Vero E6 cell line. Compared to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 generated higher levels of intracellular viral RNA, but strikingly about 50-fold less infectious viral progeny was recovered from the culture medium. Immunofluorescence microscopy of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells established extensive cross-reactivity of antisera previously raised against a variety of nonstructural proteins, membrane and nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV. Electron microscopy revealed that the ultrastructural changes induced by the two SARS viruses are very similar and occur within comparable time frames after infection. Furthermore, we determined that the sensitivity of the two viruses to three established inhibitors of coronavirus replication (Remdesivir, Alisporivir and chloroquine) is very similar, but that SARS-CoV-2 infection was substantially more sensitive to pre-treatment of cells with pegylated interferon alpha. An important difference between the two viruses is the fact that - upon passaging in Vero E6 cells - SARS-CoV-2 apparently is under strong selection pressure to acquire adaptive mutations in its spike protein gene. These mutations change or delete a putative furin-like cleavage site in the region connecting the S1 and S2 domains and result in a very prominent phenotypic change in plaque assays.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Comparative analyses of saprotrophy in Salisapilia sapeloensis and diverse plant pathogenic oomycetes reveal lifestyle-specific gene expression

Oomycetes include many well-studied, devastating plant pathogens. Across oomycete diversity, plant-infecting lineages are interspersed by non-pathogenic ones. Unfortunately, our understanding of the evolution of lifestyle switches is hampered by a scarcity of data on the molecular biology of saprotrophic oomycetes, ecologically important primary colonizers of dead tissue that can serve as informative reference points for understanding the evolution of pathogens. Here, we established Salisapilia sapeloensis growing on axenic litter as a tractable system for the study of saprotrophic oomycetes. We generated multiple transcriptomes from S. sapeloensis and compared them to (a) 22 oomycete genomes and (b) the transcriptomes of eight pathogenic oomycetes grown under 13 conditions (three pathogenic lifestyles, six hosts/substrates, and four tissues). From these analyses we obtained a global perspective on the gene expression signatures of oomycete lifestyles. Our data reveal that oomycete saprotrophs and pathogens use generally similar molecular mechanisms for colonization, but exhibit distinct expression patterns. We identify S. sapeloensis specific array and expression of carbohydrate-active enzymes and regulatory differences in pathogenicity-associated factors, including the virulence factor EpiC2B. Further, S. sapeloensis was found to express only a small repertoire of effector genes. In conclusion, our analyses reveal lifestyle-specific gene regulatory signatures and suggest that, in addition to variation in gene content, shifts in gene regulatory networks might underpin the evolution of oomycete lifestyles.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

METAGENOMIC SEQUENCING FOR COMBINED DETECTION OF RNA AND DNA VIRUSES IN RESPIRATORY SAMPLES FROM PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS

IntroductionViruses are the main cause of respiratory tract infections. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enables the unbiased detection of all potential pathogens in a clinical sample, including variants and even unknown pathogens. To apply mNGS in viral diagnostics, there is a need for sensitive and simultaneous detection of RNA and DNA viruses. In this study, the performance of an in-house mNGS protocol for routine diagnostics of viral respiratory infections, with single tube DNA and RNA sample-pre-treatment and potential for automated pan-pathogen detection was studied.\n\nMaterials and MethodsThe sequencing protocol and bioinformatics analysis was designed and optimized including the optimal concentration of the spike-in internal controls equine arteritis virus (EAV) and phocine-herpes virus-1 (PhHV-1).The whole genome of PhHV-1 was sequenced and added to the NCBI database. Subsequently, the protocol was retrospectively validated using a selection of 25 respiratory samples with in total 29 positive and 346 negative PCR results, previously sent to the lab for routine diagnostics.\n\nResultsThe results demonstrated that our protocol using Illumina Nextseq 500 sequencing with 10 million reads showed high repeatability. The NCBI RefSeq database as opposed to the NCBI nucleotide database led to enhanced specificity of virus classification. A correlation was established between read counts and PCR cycle threshold value, demonstrating the semi-quantitative nature of viral detection by mNGS. The results as obtained by mNGS appeared condordant with PCR based diagnostics in 25 out of the 29 (86%) respiratory viruses positive by PCR and in 315 of 346 (91%) PCR-negative results. Viral pathogens only detected by mNGS, not present in the routine diagnostic workflow were influenza C, KI polyomavirus, and cytomegalovirus.\n\nConclusionsSensitivity and analytical specificity of this mNGS protocol was comparable with PCR and higher when considering off-PCR target viral pathogens. All potential viral pathogens were detected in one single test, while it simultaneously obtained detailed information on detected viruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2017

The monoplastidic bottleneck in algae and plant evolution

Plant and algae plastids evolved from the endosymbiotic integration of a cyanobacterium by a heterotrophic eukaryote. A consequence of their ancestry is that new plastids can only emerge through fission and vital to organelle and host co-evolution was the early synchronization of bacterial division with the hosts eukaryotic cell cycle. Most of the sampled algae, including multicellular macroalgae, house a single plastid per cell -- or nucleus in case of coenocytic cells -- and basal branching relatives of polyplastidic lineages are all monoplastidic. The latter is also true regarding embryophytes, as some non-vascular plants are monoplastidic at least at some stage of their life cycle. Here we synthesize recent advances regarding plastid division and associated proteins, including those of the peptidoglycan wall biosynthesis, across the diversity of phototrophic eukaryotes. Through the comparison of the phenotype of 131 species harbouring plastids of primary or secondary origin, we uncover that one prerequisite for an algae or plant to house multiple plastids per nucleus appears the loss of the genes MinD and MinE from the plastid genome. Housing a single plastid whose division is coupled to host cytokinesis appears a prerequisite of plastid emergence; escaping that monoplastidic bottleneck succeeded rarely and appears tied to evolving a complex morphology. Considering how little we know about the mechanisms that guarantee proper organelle (and genome) inheritance raises the peculiar possibility that a quality control checkpoint of plastid transmission remains to be explored and which is tied to understanding the monoplastidic bottleneck.

evolutionary biology↗