非经典模式生物——耐格里阿米巴研究进展

A non-classical model organism:advances in the research of Naegleria gruberi

模式生物作为选定的物种用于揭示具有普遍规律的生物学现象。传统上只有少数生物被广泛研究,但现代研究工具使得研究人员能够扩展现有的研究对象,包括较少研究和更不寻常的生物。阿米巴作为一种自由生活的原生生物,由于其易于区分的爬行阿米巴状态和游动鞭毛体状态,长期以来被视为基体和鞭毛体组装的研究模型。最近,耐格里阿米巴全基因组测序提供了新的研究视角。着重介绍其基因组测序揭露的新功能和生物学特征,包括兼性厌氧代谢、广泛的级联信号通路、原始生物学进化地位和分化,从而为开展非经典模式生物研究提供新颖的视角和参考。

Model organisms are used to reveal biological phenomena with a universal pattern.Traditionally,only a few organisms have been extensively studied,but modern research tools enable researchers to expand the collection of model organisms to include seldom-studied and unusual organisms.Naegleria gruberi,as a free-living protist,has long been regarded as a research model for the assembly of basal body and flagellum due to its rapid transition between two highly distinguishable states,crawling amoeba and swimming flagellates.Recently,Naegleria genome sequencing has provided us with a new research perspective.This article focuses on the introduction of new functional studies and biological features revealed by genome sequencing,including facultative anaerobic metabolism,a wide range of signaling cascades,primitive biological status and single-cell meiosis,which provides novel perspectives and references for future studies in N.gruberi.