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A Cristae-Like Microcompartment in Desulfobacterota
Shawn Erin McGlynn1,2,3,4, Guy Perkins5,6, Min Sub Sim7
1Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
Mbio
|November 2, 2022
Summary
Intracytoplasmic membranes (ICMs) in sulfate-reducing bacteria resemble mitochondrial cristae. These structures, found in Desulfobacterota and Desulfovibrio carbinolicus, suggest analogous, not homologous, protein systems evolved.
Area of Science:
- Microbial ultrastructure and evolution
- Cell biology of prokaryotes
- Mitochondrial origins
Background:
- Alphaproteobacteria possess intracytoplasmic membranes (ICMs) homologous to mitochondrial cristae proteins.
- This raises the hypothesis of pre-evolved cristae-like structures in Alphaproteobacteria endosymbionts.
- Limited knowledge of microbial fine structure allows for possibilities beyond Alphaproteobacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize lamellar cristae-like ICMs in environmental sulfate-reducing Desulfobacterota.
- To investigate similar structures in Desulfovibrio carbinolicus.
- To compare these structures with mitochondrial cristae architecture.
Main Methods:
- Detailed characterization of lamellar cristae-like ICMs using advanced electron microscopy.
- Three-dimensional electron microscopy for nanoscale attachment analysis.
- Comparative structural analysis with opisthokont mitochondria.
Main Results:
- Discovery of lamellar cristae-like ICMs in environmental sulfate-reducing Desulfobacterota and Desulfovibrio carbinolicus.
- ICMs are junction-bound to the cytoplasmic membrane, resembling lamellar cristae in opisthokont mitochondria.
- Key proteins for cristae formation are absent in Desulfobacterota, indicating analogous evolution.
Conclusions:
- The taxonomic breadth of microorganisms with ICMs is expanded.
- Structural similarity suggests convergent evolution of cristae-like structures in Desulfobacterota.
- Findings enhance understanding of three-dimensional microbial fine structure and evolutionary processes.
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