The ancient roots of calcium signalling evolutionary tree

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Cellular Signalling
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Calcium homeostasis and signalling mechanisms originated in prokaryotes.
• These pathways diversified significantly during eukaryotic evolution, regulating specialized cellular activities.
• Understanding calcium signalling evolution is crucial for comprehending cellular complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolutionary trajectory of calcium (Ca2+) signalling pathways.
• To analyze the conservation and divergence of Ca2+ handling proteins across different life forms.
• To elucidate the functional adaptations of Ca2+ signalling in various eukaryotic lineages.

Main Methods:

• Genomic analysis of diverse organisms.
• Proteomic probing of Ca2+ signalling components.
• Functional studies on Ca2+ regulation and signalling mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Ca2+-ATPases/pumps, calmodulin, and calcineurin have conserved roles since early eukaryotic evolution.
• Significant deviations in Ca2+ handling are observed between vertebrates, plants, and protists (Unikonta vs. Bikonta).
• Calcineurin and calmodulin exhibit lineage-specific adaptations, influencing stress defence, gene transcription, and neural plasticity.

Conclusions:

• Eukaryotic cells utilize inherited and novel mechanisms for Ca2+ signalling.
• Basic Ca2+ regulation and signalling processes show overall evolutionary similarity.
• Species-specific variations in Ca2+ signalling contribute to diverse biological functions.