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Organelle Formation in Bacteria and Archaea
Carly R Grant1, Juan Wan1, Arash Komeili1
1Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA;
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|August 17, 2018
Summary
Organelles are not exclusive to eukaryotes. Recent findings reveal lipid-bounded organelles in bacteria and archaea, challenging the notion that these structures are unique to complex cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Eukaryotic organelle biogenesis is well-studied, but prokaryotic compartmentalization is overlooked.
- A misconception exists that organelles are exclusive to eukaryotic cells.
- Defining and comparing subcellular structures across lifeforms is complicated by nebulous criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of lipid-bounded organelles in bacteria and archaea.
- To challenge the traditional view of organelles as solely eukaryotic features.
- To present recent findings on prokaryotic compartmentalization using a unified definition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a unified definition for membrane-bounded organelles.
- Reviewed and analyzed recent findings on prokaryotic cellular structures.
- Focused on lipid-bounded compartments within bacteria and archaea.
Main Results:
- Identified and characterized lipid-bounded organelles in bacteria and archaea.
- Demonstrated that compartmentalization is not unique to eukaryotes.
- Provided evidence contradicting the "primitive" prokaryote misconception.
Conclusions:
- Prokaryotes possess membrane-bounded organelles, specifically lipid-bounded ones.
- The study redefines the understanding of cellular compartmentalization across the tree of life.
- Highlights the importance of comparative studies in cell biology and evolution.
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