2024-08-29 17:14:40
A group of scientists from the University of Jena has identified a species bacteria prokaryotes that have the ability to destroy other cellsThis is a very advanced finding that has been published in the journal mBio. A new discovery perspective on the origin of eukaryoteswhich is considered one of the greatest mysteries in the field of biology.
The prevailing theory maintains that eukaryotes were created from the fusion of two prokaryotes: An archaea from Asgard and bacteria. It is believed that bacteria evolved into mitochondria, which provided this eukaryotic ancestor with the energy it needed to develop complex eggs known today.
An important feature of these eukaryotes is endocytosisthe ability to import other cells. However, until now it was considered a prokaryotic cell can’t do this job without the energy source provided by mitochondria. New research challenges this idea and offers a different perspective.
Alternative approach to euryogenesis
Professor Christian Jogler and his team have arrived for more than ten years a different way to explain euryogenesis. His research focuses on planctomycetes, a group of prokaryotic bacteria as well unique features which some scientists consider as possible origins of eukaryotes because of their specific cellular biology.
“The idea of a ‘fusion’ of two different prokaryotes into one eukaryote made me seems incomprehensible from the point of view of cell biology“Said Jogler, who conducted his research in the Balance of Microverse cluster of excellence at the University of Jena. “No one has noticed anything like this before and hybrid of this type “Maybe it won’t be possible because of the different molecular structures and mechanisms,” he added.
In 2014, Jogler’s team discovered new types of planctomycetes in Heiligendamm in the Baltic Sea, providing new evidence that supports the theory of planctomycetal origin of eukaryotes. These bacteria show unusual behaviors: they change shape, They are placed on stages and grouped around each other.
Evidence of prokaryotic endocytosis
In 2019, Japanese researcher Takashi Shiratori discovered a type of planctomycetes that can feed on other bacteriawhich contradicts the established theory that prokaryotes cannot perform endocytosis due to energy limitations. “To be honestAt first I didn’t believe Dr. Shiratori“Jogler admitted. Therefore, his group initially began to reject the claims of prokaryotic endocytosis, but after a year of intensive research, end up confirming the validity of the results arrived at Shiratori.
In their recent publication, the team presented a new species they isolated from the North Sea, which they named Uabimicrobium helgolandensis. These prokaryotic bacteria also They are able to feed on other cellswhich challenges current expectations about its biology. Jogler explained that “thanks to the sequencing of the Uabimicrobium helgolandensis genome, we were also able to develop new hypothesis about the molecular mechanism collection of predatory bacteria”.
New hypotheses about the origin of eukaryotes
Jogler considers that these predatory planctomycetes can be Microbial equivalent of Archeopteryxacting as a bridge between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. “I’m sure it’s planctomycetes play an important role in euryogenesis, perhaps even in the origin of life itself,” he said.
This discovery not only challenges conventional ideas about the evolution of complex cells, but also opens new lines of research to better understand the origins of life on Earth.
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