Cercozoa comprises both EF-1α-containing and EFL-containing members

Area of Science:

• * Molecular Evolution
• * Protist Genomics
• * Protein Function

Background:

• * Elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) and elongation factor-like protein (EFL) are functionally equivalent proteins essential for peptide synthesis in eukaryotes.
• * Eukaryotes are broadly classified into EF-1α-containing and EFL-containing types.
• * Previous studies have surveyed EF-1α and EFL genes across eukaryotes to understand EFL gene origins and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the presence and evolutionary history of EF-1α and EFL genes within the diverse phylum Cercozoa.
• * To determine the mechanisms driving the evolution of EFL genes in this protist group.
• * To clarify the inheritance patterns of EF-1α and EFL genes in cercozoans.

Main Methods:

• * Bioinformatic surveys of EF-1α and EFL genes across various cercozoan species.
• * Phylogenetic analyses using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods to infer evolutionary relationships.
• * Comparative genomics to assess gene presence, absence, and potential gene transfer events.

Main Results:

• * Two Filosa members (Thaumatomastix sp., strain YPF610) were identified as EFL-containing.
• * EF-1α genes were found in Paracercomonas marina, Paulinella chromatophora (Filosa), and Filoreta japonica (Endomyxa).
• * Cercozoan EFL homologues did not form a monophyletic group, indicating lateral gene transfer. EF-1α homologues, however, formed a monophyletic group.

Conclusions:

• * Cercozoan EF-1α genes appear to have been vertically inherited.
• * The presence of EFL genes in some cercozoans likely resulted from secondary loss of EF-1α genes and potential lateral gene transfer.
• * This study provides new insights into the evolutionary dynamics of essential protein families in protists.