Abstract

Classical r- vs. K-selection theory describes the trade-offs between high reproductive output and competitiveness and guides research in evolutionary ecology. While its impact has waned in the recent past, cancer evolution may rekindle it. Herein, we impose r- or K-selection on cancer cell lines to obtain strongly proliferative r cells and highly competitive K cells to test ideas on life-history strategy evolution. RNA-seq indicates that the trade-offs are associated with distinct expression of genes involved in the cell cycle, adhesion, apoptosis, and contact inhibition. Both empirical observations and simulations based on an ecological competition model show that the trade-off between cell proliferation and competitiveness can evolve adaptively. When the r and K cells are mixed, they exhibit strikingly different spatial and temporal distributions. Due to this niche separation, the fitness of the entire tumor increases. The contrasting selective pressure may operate in a realistic ecological setting of actual tumors.

中文翻译：

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生活史策略的变化是肿瘤功能多样性的基础

摘要

经典的r与K 选择理论描述了高繁殖产出和竞争力之间的权衡，并指导进化生态学的研究。虽然它的影响在最近有所减弱，但癌症的进化可能会重新点燃它。在这里，我们强加r - 或K- 选择癌细胞系以获得强烈增殖的 r 细胞和高度竞争的 K 细胞，以测试关于生命历史策略进化的想法。RNA-seq 表明权衡与参与细胞周期、粘附、凋亡和接触抑制的基因的不同表达有关。基于生态竞争模型的实证观察和模拟表明，细胞增殖和竞争力之间的权衡可以自适应地演变。当 r 和 K 细胞混合时，它们表现出截然不同的空间和时间分布。由于这种生态位分离，整个肿瘤的适应度增加。对比选择压力可以在实际肿瘤的现实生态环境中起作用。