Evolution of Glycolytic Pathway in Trimastix pyriformis
Author Information
Author(s): Alexandra Stechmann, Manuela Baumgartner, Jeffrey D Silberman, Andrew J Roger
Primary Institution: Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
What are the evolutionary origins of the glycolytic enzymes in Trimastix pyriformis?
Conclusion
Many glycolytic enzymes in Trimastix pyriformis have been acquired through lateral gene transfer from bacteria rather than inherited from a common eukaryotic ancestor.
Supporting Evidence
- Trimastix pyriformis has genes for nine of the ten glycolytic steps.
- Phylogenetic analyses revealed discrepancies between Trimastix genes and accepted organismal relationships.
- Lateral gene transfer events likely account for the observed anomalies in enzyme origins.
Takeaway
Trimastix pyriformis gets some of its energy-making tools from bacteria instead of from its ancestors, showing how life can borrow parts from each other.
Methodology
An expressed sequence tag (EST) survey was conducted to identify glycolytic enzymes in Trimastix pyriformis, followed by phylogenetic analyses.
Limitations
The exact bacterial donor lineages for the lateral gene transfers could not be established with confidence.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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