Constraints on the G1/S transition pathway may favor selection of multicellularity as a passenger phenotype (opens in new tab)

Multicellularity has emerged in the three branches of the tree of life. The formation of simple multicellular entities can either result from cells aggregating or staying together after mitosis. However, it is not yet fully understood how, once formed, these simple multicellular entities could be maintained or even selected for. Here, using the ace2 yeast snowflake model of simple multicellularity, we aimed at identifying genetic conditions favoring its maintenance. Growth-competition experim...