Chlamydial Genes and the Evolution of Photosynthetic Eukaryotes
Author Information
Author(s): Becker Burkhard, Hoef-Emden Kerstin, Melkonian Michael
Primary Institution: Botanisches Institut, Universität zu Köln
Hypothesis
Chlamydial genes were acquired by an ancient horizontal gene transfer from Chlamydiae to the ancestor of photosynthetic eukaryotes.
Conclusion
The study identified 39 proteins of chlamydial origin in photosynthetic eukaryotes, indicating an ancient invasion of the ancestor of the Plantae by a chlamydial bacterium.
Supporting Evidence
- 39 proteins of chlamydial origin were identified in photosynthetic eukaryotes.
- Chlamydial proteins were found to have complex distributions among different algal lineages.
- Phylogenetic analyses suggest that chlamydial genes entered the Plantae lineage before their divergence.
Takeaway
Scientists found 39 proteins from a type of bacteria called Chlamydiae in plants, showing that these bacteria helped plants evolve a long time ago.
Methodology
An extensive search for proteins of chlamydial origin was performed using several recently sequenced algal genomes and EST databases, followed by phylogenetic analyses.
Limitations
The low number of chlamydial proteins recovered from Glaucoplantae may relate to the lack of sequenced genomes for this lineage.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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