N. King

Structural variants underlie parallel adaptation following global invasion

This study identifies large structural variants as drivers of parallel adaptation in Trifolium repens during global invasion.

Hierarchical design of pseudosymmetric protein nanoparticles

The paper designs large pseudosymmetric protein nanoparticles using a hierarchical computational method, achieving sizes up to 96 nm with 960 subunits.

An RFX transcription factor regulated ciliogenesis in the progenitors of choanoflagellates and animals

This study investigates the role of RFX transcription factors in ciliogenesis in choanoflagellates and animals, finding that the RFX/FoxJ1 module predates animal divergence and regulates ciliary gene expression.

A stress-responsive p38 signaling axis in choanoflagellates

This study identifies a stress-responsive p38 signaling axis in choanoflagellates using kinase inhibitors, revealing conserved functions across animals, fungi, and choanoflagellates.

Nitric oxide signaling controls collective contractions in a colonial choanoflagellate

This study shows that nitric oxide signaling via the sGC/cGMP pathway controls collective contractions in the colonial choanoflagellate Choanoeca flexa, similar to its role in early animals.

Widespread distribution of collagens and collagen-associated domains in eukaryotes

This study identifies collagen domains in non-metazoan eukaryotes, challenging the notion that collagens are unique to metazoans.

STING mediates immune responses in the closest living relatives of animals

This study shows that STING mediates antibacterial immunity in the choanoflagellate M. brevicollis, a close relative of animals, and identifies its role in pathogen sensing and autophagy.

Colonial choanoflagellate isolated from Mono Lake harbors a microbiome

The paper isolates and characterizes a new colonial choanoflagellate species, Barroeca monosierra, from Mono Lake that hosts a microbiome, offering a model for studying eukaryote-bacteria interactions.

Dietary protein increases T cell independent sIgA production through changes in gut microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles

The paper shows dietary protein increases sIgA via gut microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles, independent of T cell pathways or microbiota composition.

A flagellate-to-amoeboid switch in the closest living relatives of animals

This study shows that choanoflagellates can switch from a flagellate to an amoeboid phenotype under spatial confinement, suggesting myosin-mediated amoeboid motility was present in the last common ancestor of animals and choanoflagellates.

Genome editing enables reverse genetics of multicellular development in the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta

The paper establishes CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in Salpingoeca rosetta to disrupt a C-type lectin gene and demonstrate its necessity for multicellular development.

Structural and functional evaluation of de novo-designed, two-component nanoparticle carriers for HIV Env trimer immunogens

The paper evaluates de novo-designed two-component nanoparticles for presenting HIV Env trimers, showing improved antibody responses through multivalent display.

Synergistic cues from diverse bacteria enhance multicellular development in a choanoflagellate

This study shows that two bacterial cues synergistically enhance multicellular development in the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta.

Light-regulated collective contractility in a multicellular choanoflagellate

A newly described choanoflagellate species forms cup-shaped colonies that reversibly invert their curvature in response to light.

Biophysical principles of choanoflagellate self-organization

The paper quantifies biophysical processes in choanoflagellate rosette morphogenesis, showing ECM constraints drive 3D growth and shape colony morphospace.

The architecture of cell differentiation in choanoflagellates and sponge choanocytes

This study compares the subcellular architecture of solitary and colonial choanoflagellate cells with sponge choanocytes to uncover the architecture of cell differentiation in these ancient cell types.

Choanoflagellate transfection illuminates their cell biology and the ancestry of animal septins

This paper develops a transfection method for choanoflagellates, enabling gene expression studies and revealing septin localization patterns similar to animal epithelia.

The ancestral animal genetic toolkit revealed by diverse choanoflagellate transcriptomes

This study reconstructs the ancestral animal gene repertoire by analyzing 19 additional choanoflagellate transcriptomes, revealing gene families previously thought to be animal-specific actually evolved earlier.

Lessons from simple marine models on the bacterial regulation of eukaryotic development

The paper reviews how bacterial cues influence marine eukaryotic development and highlights the role of simple model systems in understanding these interactions.

The origin of animal multicellularity and cell differentiation

The paper investigates the evolutionary origins of animal multicellularity and cell differentiation by analyzing genomic and developmental mechanisms in ancestral species.

An Aphrodisiac Produced By Vibrio fischeri Stimulates Mating In The Closest Living Relatives Of Animals

The paper identifies a bacterial protein that induces mating in choanoflagellates, revealing a role for bacterial chondroitin lyases in eukaryotic reproduction.