Evolutionary assembly of cooperating cell types in an animal chemical defense system

摘要: A long-standing challenge in biology is explaining how the functions of multicellular organs emerge from underlying evolution cell types. We deconstructed an organ novelty: a rove beetle gland that secretes defensive cocktail. show function was pieced together via assembly two types manufacture distinct compounds. One type forms chemical reservoir beetles abdomen and produces alkane ester demonstrate this hybrid cuticle cells ancient pheromone adipocyte-like cells, executes its mosaic enzymes sourced each parental type. The second synthesizes noxious benzoquinones using chimeric pathway derived conserved cellular energy formation pathways. present evidence shaped by coevolution between types: produced dissolve solvents first, yielding potent secretion confers adaptive value onto as whole. Our findings illustrate cooperation can arise, generating new, organ-level behaviors.