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Naturally occurring tumours in the basal metazoan Hydra

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  • Tomislav Domazet-Lošo

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel
    Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Ruder Bošković Institute
    Catholic University of Croatia)

  • Alexander Klimovich

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel)

  • Boris Anokhin

    (Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Friederike Anton-Erxleben

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel)

  • Mailin J. Hamm

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel)

  • Christina Lange

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel)

  • Thomas C.G. Bosch

    (Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel)

Abstract

The molecular nature of tumours is well studied in vertebrates, although their evolutionary origin remains unknown. In particular, there is no evidence for naturally occurring tumours in pre-bilaterian animals, such as sponges and cnidarians. This is somewhat surprising given that recent computational studies have predicted that most metazoans might be prone to develop tumours. Here we provide first evidence for naturally occurring tumours in two species of Hydra. Histological, cellular and molecular data reveal that these tumours are transplantable and might originate by differentiation arrest of female gametes. Growth of tumour cells is independent from the cellular environment. Tumour-bearing polyps have significantly reduced fitness. In addition, Hydra tumours show a greatly altered transcriptome that mimics expression shifts in vertebrate cancers. Therefore, this study shows that spontaneous tumours have deep evolutionary roots and that early branching animals may be informative in revealing the fundamental mechanisms of tumorigenesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomislav Domazet-Lošo & Alexander Klimovich & Boris Anokhin & Friederike Anton-Erxleben & Mailin J. Hamm & Christina Lange & Thomas C.G. Bosch, 2014. "Naturally occurring tumours in the basal metazoan Hydra," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5222
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5222
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