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Related Concept Videos

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes02:16

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...
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The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
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Optimization and Comparative Analysis of Plant Organellar DNA Enrichment Methods Suitable for Next-generation Sequencing
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Mitochondrial and plastid evolution in eukaryotes: an outsiders' perspective.

Jeferson Gross1, Debashish Bhattacharya

  • 1Department of Biology, Roy J. Carver Center for Comparative Genomics, University of Iowa, 446 Biology Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.

Nature Reviews. Genetics
|June 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary

The evolution of mitochondria and plastids involved host factors moving inward within endosymbionts. This process facilitated organelle function integration into the host nuclear genome, impacting eukaryogenesis theories.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondria and plastids originated from endosymbiotic eubacteria.
  • Understanding the prokaryote-to-organelle transition is key to eukaryogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel mechanism for organelle evolution.
  • To explain the convergent trajectory of mitochondrion and plastid establishment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of endosymbiotic relationships.
  • Theoretical modeling of host-factor internalization.
  • Comparative genomics of organelle development.

Main Results:

  • Host-encoded factors internalized progressively into endosymbionts.
  • Establishment of host-controlled protein sorting from outside-to-inside.
  • Gradual integration of endosymbiont functions into the host nuclear genome.

Conclusions:

  • Convergent evolutionary path for mitochondria and plastids.
  • Novel paradigm for organelle evolution and eukaryogenesis.
  • Internalization of host factors as a driving force for organelle establishment.