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Microbial rhodopsins: functional versatility and genetic mobility.

Adrian K Sharma1, John L Spudich, W Ford Doolittle

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College St, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1X5, Canada. aksharma@dal.ca

Trends in Microbiology
|September 30, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Type 1 microbial rhodopsins are versatile proteins found across all life. Lateral gene transfer (LGT) explains their widespread distribution, enabling organisms to adapt energy generation and sensory functions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Type 1 microbial rhodopsins are photochemically reactive proteins found in all three domains of life.
  • Their widespread presence suggests ancient, possibly primordial, functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history of type 1 microbial rhodopsins.
  • To identify and analyze instances of lateral gene transfer (LGT) in rhodopsin evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of microbial rhodopsin sequences.
  • Documentation of documented cases of LGT across different life domains.

Main Results:

  • Identified five distinct cases of LGT involving type 1 microbial rhodopsins between different domains of life.

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  • Demonstrated the functional versatility of retinylidene proteins in complementing host organism capabilities.

    • Conclusions:

    • Lateral gene transfer (LGT) is the primary driver behind the broad, yet patchy, distribution of type 1 microbial rhodopsins.
    • The adaptability of these proteins facilitates their integration into diverse metabolic and sensory pathways, promoting their evolutionary success.