Symbiosis: A duplicated host protein controlling a nascent mutualism
Summary
Mechanistic studies on how eukaryotes ensure vertical inheritance of beneficial intracellular prokaryotes have focused mostly on highly integrated relationships. A new study by Zakharova, Tashyreva et al. reveals how a duplicated host gene impacts symbiont inheritance in a young mutualism.
Main text
Symbiotic relationships between eukaryotes and intracellular prokaryotes — bacteria and archaea — are widespread and have been established independently countless times1. Mutualistic endosymbiotic interactions that benefit both partners have long been appreciated as powerful adaptive forces in eukaryotic evolution: ancient prokaryotic symbionts were the substrates used to forge mitochondria and plastids, and diverse prokaryotic metabolic repertoires offer modern-day eukaryotes the promise of of thriving in inhospitable environments, or on nutritionally incomplete diets.
Gawryluk R.M.R. 2023: Symbiosis: A duplicated host protein controlling a nascent mutualism. Current Biology 33: R710–R732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.052
Current Biology Dispateches to the paper by Zakharová A., Tashyreva D., Butenko A., Morales J., Saura A., Svobodová M., Poschmann G., Nandipati S., Zakharovová A., Noyvert D., Gahura O., Týč J., Stühler K., Kostygov A.Y., Nowack E.C.M., Lukeš J., Yurchenko V. 2023: A neo-functionalized homolog of host transmembrane protein controls localization of bacterial endosymbionts in the trypanosomatid Novymonas esmeraldas. Current Biology 33: 2690–2701. [IF=10.900] DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.060
