Computer simulations of cellular group selection reveal mechanism for sustaining cooperation

Markvoort, Albert J.; Sinai, Sam; Nowak, Martin A.

doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.04.029

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The threshold criteria in Propositions 3.2 and 4.2 for the level of relative between-group selection strength λ needed to exhibit long-time cooperation highlight the key importance of all-cooperator groups in sustaining cooperative outcomes for the whole metapopulation. These criteria also provide some analytical support for the numerical intuition provided by Markvoort et al [14] for the necessity of initial all-cooperator groups to promote evolutionary coexistence of cooperators and defectors. The success of all-cooperator groups also plays an important role in Traulsen-Nowak stochastic model of multilevel selection [23], in which there is a separation of time scales such that selection of cooperators or defectors within groups acts much faster than selection between groups.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The replicator dynamics for multilevel selection in evolutionary games

Cooney

2019

J. Math. Biol.

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We consider a stochastic model for evolution of group-structured populations in which interactions between group members correspond to the Prisoner's Dilemma or the Hawk-Dove game. Selection operates at two organization levels: individuals compete with peer group members based on individual payoff, while groups also compete with other groups based on average payoff of group members. In the Prisoner's Dilemma, this creates a tension between the two levels of selection, as defectors are favored at the individual level, whereas groups with at least some cooperators outperform groups of defectors at the between-group level. In the limit of infinite group size and infinite number of groups, we derive a non-local PDE that describes the probability distribution of group compositions in the population. For special families of payoff matrices, we characterize the long-time behavior of solutions of our equation, finding a threshold intensity of between-group selection required to sustain density steady-states and the survival of cooperation. When all-cooperator groups are most fit, the average and most abundant group compositions at steady-state range from featuring all-defector groups when individual-level selection dominates to featuring all-cooperator groups when group-level selection dominates. When the most fit groups have a mix of cooperators and defectors, then the average and most abundant group compositions always feature a smaller fraction of cooperators than required for the optimal mix, even in the limit where group-level selection is infinitely stronger than individual-level selection. In such cases, the conflict between the two levels of selection cannot be decoupled, and cooperation cannot be sustained at all in the case where between-group competition favors an even mix of cooperators and defectors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The replicator dynamics for multilevel selection in evolutionary games

Cooney

2019

J. Math. Biol.

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“…As a result, parasitic replicators dominate the system and strongly inhibit the replication of host replicators, often leading to the eventual extinction of all the replicators. A plausible strategy for primitive host replicators to avoid parasite dominance is compartmentalization [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] or equivalent spatial structures [ 16 , 20 ]. Compartmentalization might have been achieved in the primordial earth by formation of lipid vesicles [ 21 , 22 ], coacervates [ 23 , 24 ], inorganic compartments at hydrothermal sites [ 25 ], honeycomb structure on mineral surface [ 26 ], atmospheric aerosols [ 27 ], hydrogels [ 28 ], or any other abiotic compartments provided from the surrounding environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability of a Compartmentalized Host-Parasite Replicator System under Periodic Washout-Mixing Cycles

Furubayashi

Ichihashi

2018

Life

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The emergence and dominance of parasitic replicators are among the major hurdles for the proliferation of primitive replicators. Compartmentalization of replicators is proposed to relieve the parasite dominance; however, it remains unclear under what conditions simple compartmentalization uncoupled with internal reaction secures the long-term survival of a population of primitive replicators against incessant parasite emergence. Here, we investigate the sustainability of a compartmentalized host-parasite replicator (CHPR) system undergoing periodic washout-mixing cycles, by constructing a mathematical model and performing extensive simulations. We describe sustainable landscapes of the CHPR system in the parameter space and elucidate the mechanism of phase transitions between sustainable and extinct regions. Our findings revealed that a large population size of compartments, a high mixing intensity, and a modest amount of nutrients are important factors for the robust survival of replicators. We also found two distinctive sustainable phases with different mixing intensities. These results suggest that a population of simple host–parasite replicators assumed before the origin of life can be sustained by a simple compartmentalization with periodic washout-mixing processes.

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“…In some studies of membrane dynamics, including work by two authors of this manuscript [26], it has been argued that a “division into many” scenario may be possible and more helpful to enzymatic molecules than a binary division [63]. However, studies have also demonstrated processes in which compartments or droplets undergo binary division [61, 62].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They co-localize elements which could help cooperation and increase reaction rates [37]. Membranes (or other forms of population structure) also help cooperative functions in avoiding the parasitic take-over that occurs rapidly in a well-mixed system [22–24, 26, 38, 39]. Experimental groups have been able to create such compartments, including membrane vesicles that can encapsulate relevant prebiotic polymers and divide [40, 41].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This model, and importantly Eigen’s critical observations on the “error-catastrophe” and models of hypercycles, highlighted key requirements for experimental studies of origin of life [57, 58]. More recent theoretical models of selection within compartments have also provided new insights into their role in promoting replication [24–26, 59, 60]. Some of these insights has been translated successfully to laboratory experiments [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prebiotic selection for motifs in a model of template-free elongation of polymers within compartments

et al. 2017

Self Cite

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The transition from prelife where self-replication does not occur, to life which exhibits self-replication and evolution, has been a subject of interest for many decades. Membranes, forming compartments, seem to be a critical component of this transition as they provide several concurrent benefits. They maintain localized interactions, generate electro-chemical gradients, and help in selecting cooperative functions as they arise. These functions pave the way for the emergence and maintenance of simple metabolic cycles and polymers. In the context of origin of life, evolution of information-carrying molecules and RNA based enzymes within compartments has been subject to intensive theoretical and experimental research. Hence, many experimental efforts aim to produce compartments that contain elongating polynucleotides (also referred to as protocells), which store information and perform catalysis. Despite impressive experimental progress, we are still relatively ignorant about the dynamics by which elongating polynucleotides can produce more sophisticated behaviors. Here we perform computer simulations to couple information production through template-free elongation of polymers with dividing compartments. We find that polymers with a simple ability—biasing the concentration of monomers within their own compartment—can acquire a selective advantage in prelife. We further investigate whether such a mechanism allows for cooperative dynamics to dominate over purely competitive ones. We show that under this system of biased monomer addition, even without template-directed self-replication, genetic motifs can emerge, compete, cooperate, and ultimately survive within the population.

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Computer simulations of cellular group selection reveal mechanism for sustaining cooperation

Cited by 20 publications

References 56 publications

The replicator dynamics for multilevel selection in evolutionary games

The replicator dynamics for multilevel selection in evolutionary games

Sustainability of a Compartmentalized Host-Parasite Replicator System under Periodic Washout-Mixing Cycles

Prebiotic selection for motifs in a model of template-free elongation of polymers within compartments

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