The nature of the last universal common ancestor and its impact on the early Earth system

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(9), P. 1654 - 1666

Published: July 12, 2024

Abstract The nature of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), its age and impact on Earth system have been subject vigorous debate across diverse disciplines, often based disparate data methods. Age estimates for LUCA are usually fossil record, varying with every reinterpretation. LUCA’s metabolism has proven equally contentious, some attributing all core metabolisms to LUCA, whereas others reconstruct a simpler life form dependent geochemistry. Here we infer that lived ~4.2 Ga (4.09–4.33 Ga) through divergence time analysis pre-LUCA gene duplicates, calibrated using microbial fossils isotope records under new cross-bracing implementation. Phylogenetic reconciliation suggests had genome at least 2.5 Mb (2.49–2.99 Mb), encoding around 2,600 proteins, comparable modern prokaryotes. Our results suggest was prokaryote-grade anaerobic acetogen possessed an early immune system. Although is sometimes perceived as living in isolation, part established ecological would provided niche other community members hydrogen recycling by atmospheric photochemistry could supported modestly productive ecosystem.

Language: Английский

---

ATP synthase evolution on a cross-braced dated tree of life

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Nov. 17, 2023

Abstract The timing of early cellular evolution, from the divergence Archaea and Bacteria to origin eukaryotes, is poorly constrained. ATP synthase complex thought have originated prior Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) analyses genes, together with ribosomes, played a key role in inferring rooting tree life. We reconstruct evolutionary history synthases using an expanded taxon sampling set develop phylogenetic cross-bracing approach, constraining equivalent speciation nodes be contemporaneous, based on imprint endosymbioses ancient gene duplications. This approach results highly resolved, dated species establishes absolute timeline for evolution. Our show that into F- A/V-type lineages was very event evolution dating back more than 4 Ga, potentially predating diversification Bacteria. cross-braced, life also provides insight recent transitions including eukaryogenesis, showing eukaryotic nuclear mitochondrial diverged their closest archaeal (2.67-2.19 Ga) bacterial (2.58-2.12 relatives at approximately same time, slightly longer stem-lineage.

Language: Английский

---

A concept for international societally relevant microbiology education and microbiology knowledge promulgation in society

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Executive summary Microbes are all pervasive in their distribution and influence on the functioning well‐being of humans, life general planet. Microbially‐based technologies contribute hugely to supply important goods services we depend upon, such as provision food, medicines clean water. They also offer mechanisms strategies mitigate solve a wide range problems crises facing humanity at levels, including those encapsulated sustainable development goals (SDGs) formulated by United Nations. For example, microbial can multiple ways decarbonisation hence confronting global warming, provide sanitation water billions people lacking them, improve soil fertility food production develop vaccines other reduce some cases eliminate deadly infections. foundation biotechnology, an increasingly growing business sector source employment, centre bioeconomy , Green Deal etc. But, because microbes largely invisible, they not familiar most people, so opportunities effectively prevent often missed decision‐makers, with negative consequences this entrains. To correct lack vital knowledge, International Microbiology Literacy Initiative–the IMiLI–is recruiting from microbiology community making freely available, teaching resources for curriculum societally relevant that be used levels learning. Its goal is society literate and, consequence, able take full advantage potential minimise activities. In addition about microbes, almost every lesson discusses have sustainability SDGs ability pressing societal inequalities. The thus teaches sustainability, needs citizenship. lessons reveal impacts activities our daily lives personal, family, community, national relevance decisions levels. And, effective, evidence‐based require only information but critical systems thinking, teach these key generic aspects deliberation. IMiLI learner‐centric, academic microbiology‐centric deal everyday issues. These span topics diverse owning caring companion animal, vast foods produced via processes, impressive geological formations created childhood illnesses how managed waste pollution. leverage exceptional excitement exploration discovery typifies much progress capture interest, inspire motivate educators learners alike. establishing Regional Centres translate into regional languages adapt them cultures, promote use assist employing them. Two now operational. constitute interface between resource creators educators–learners. As such, will collect analyse feedback end‐users transmit materials improved refined, new added response demand: thereby directly involved evolution resources. interactions educators–learners mediated establish dynamic synergistic relationships–a education ecosystem–in which become learners, optimised players/stakeholders empowered motivation increased. concept embraces principle embedded wider context societal, biosphere planetary needs, inequalities, confront us need decisioning, should ultimately lead better citizenship more resilient. Abstract planet Earth world: reactor countless microbially driven chemical transformations energy transfers push pull many geochemical cycling elements life, or amplify climate change (e.g., Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019, 17, 569) impact organisms, humans. both ancestors chemistry allowed evolve Life's engines: How made earth habitable, 2023). understand functions, humans its live sustainably organisms sharing it, microbes. recent editorial (Environmental 21, 1513), advocated literacy society. Our based knowledge subject microbiology, multitude component topics, plus number additional disciplines vitally current microbiology. Rather it focused us–individuals/communities/nations/the human world–and reaching informed issues regularly us, ranging personal importance. words, understanding essential adulthood transition must acquired early school. 2019 Editorial marked launch Initiative, IMiLI. Here, present may achieved rationale underpinning it; type being realise framing treated responsibilities decision‐making; role local languages, according cultural serve hubs networks. featuring learner‐centric been selected inherent relevance, interest excite engage. Importantly, coherently integrate emphasise overarching stewardship thinking interdependencies processes. More broadly, emphasises multifarious applications leveraged human/animal, plant, environmental health, social equity, alleviate humanitarian deficits causes conflicts among peoples increase (Microbial Biotechnology, 2023, 16(6), 1091–1111). although primary target available (CC BY‐NC 4.0) schoolchildren educators, philosophy intended ages, abilities spectra worldwide: university education, lifelong learning, curiosity‐driven, web‐based acquisition public outreach. aim ecosystem democratises knowledge.

Language: Английский

---

The emerging view on the origin and early evolution of eukaryotic cells

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 633(8029), P. 295 - 305

Published: Sept. 11, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Expanded phylogeny of extremely halophilic archaea shows multiple independent adaptations to hypersaline environments

Nature Microbiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 964 - 975

Published: March 22, 2024

Language: Английский

---

The Last Universal Common Ancestor of Ribosome-Encoding Organisms: Portrait of LUCA

Journal of Molecular Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 92(5), P. 550 - 583

Published: Aug. 19, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Chimeric origins and dynamic evolution of central carbon metabolism in eukaryotes

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 3, 2025

The origin of eukaryotes was a key event in the history life. Current leading hypotheses propose that symbiosis between an asgardarchaeal host cell and alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont represented crucial step eukaryotic metabolic cross-feeding partners provided basis for their subsequent evolutionary integration. A major unanswered question is whether metabolism modern bears any vestige this ancestral syntrophy. Here we systematically analyse origins gene repertoires mediating central carbon metabolism. Our phylogenetic sequence analyses reveal repertoire chimeric, with contributions from Asgardarchaeota Alphaproteobacteria operating predominantly glycolysis tricarboxylic acid cycle, respectively. also extent to which interplay has been remodelled via loss, transfer subcellular retargeting >2 billion years since cells, identify genetic other prokaryotic sources addition endosymbiont. work demonstrates that, contrast previous assumptions, preserves information about nature original asgardarchaeal–alphaproteobacterial interactions supports syntrophy scenarios cell. Analysis identifies Alphaproteobacteria, microbial taxa, followed by retargeting, have over time.

Language: Английский

---

On the potential roles of phosphorus in the early evolution of energy metabolism

Frontiers in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Aug. 2, 2023

Energy metabolism in extant life is centered around phosphate and the energy-dense phosphoanhydride bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a deeply conserved ancient bioenergetic system. Yet, ATP synthesis relies on numerous complex enzymes has an autocatalytic requirement for itself. This implies existence evolutionarily simpler pathways potentially primordial alternatives to ATP. The centrality modern bioenergetics, coupled with energetic properties phosphorylated compounds, may suggest that precursors also utilized compounds such as pyrophosphate, acetyl polyphosphate. However, bioavailable have been notably scarce early Earth, raising doubts about roles molecules might played evolution life. A largely overlooked phosphorus redox cycle Earth provided energy, reduced playing key role energy metabolism. Here, we speculate biological acted currencies, sources environmental or currencies. review encompasses discussions evolutionary history specifically those relevance, geochemistry Earth. We highlight importance phosphorus, not only form phosphate, biology future directions study improve our understanding bioenergetics.

Language: Английский

---

Ancient nitrogenases are ATP dependent

mBio, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(7)

Published: June 13, 2024

ABSTRACT Life depends on a conserved set of chemical energy currencies that are relics early biochemistry. One these is ATP, molecule that, when paired with divalent metal ion such as Mg 2+ , can be hydrolyzed to support numerous cellular and molecular processes. Despite its centrality extant biochemistry, it unclear whether ATP supported the function ancient enzymes. We investigate evolutionary necessity by experimentally reconstructing an ancestral variant N 2 -reducing enzyme nitrogenase. The Proterozoic ancestor predicted ~540–2,300 million years old, post-dating Great Oxidation Event. Growth rates under nitrogen-fixing conditions ~80% those wild type in Azotobacter vinelandii . In enzyme, hydrolysis two MgATP coupled electron transfer substrate reduction. has strict requirement for no other nucleotide triphosphate analogs (GTP, ITP, UTP) supporting activity. Alternative ions (Fe Co Mn ) activity but diminished activities compared similar enzyme. Additionally, shown identical efficiency per transferred two. Our results provide direct laboratory evidence usage IMPORTANCE energy-carrying molecules power many sustaining There may predate rise life Earth, how dependencies formed unknown. resurrection enzymes provides unique tool probe enzyme’s molecules, shedding light their biochemical origins. Through experimental reconstruction, this research investigates dependence carrier modern show resurrected does not have generalist specificity. Rather, like efficiency. findings elucidate early-evolved energy-yielding delineating role Ultimately, insights contribute unraveling intricate tapestry biology origins life-sustaining dependencies.

Language: Английский

---

The Unfinished Reconstructed Nature of the Last Universal Common Ancestor

Journal of Molecular Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 92(5), P. 584 - 592

Published: July 18, 2024

The ultimate consequence of Darwin's theory common descent implies that all life on earth descends ultimately from a ancestor. Biochemistry and molecular biology now provide sufficient evidence shared ancestry extant forms. However, the nature Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) has been topic much debate over years. This review offers historical perspective different attempts to infer LUCA's nature, exploring surrounding its complexity. We further examine how methodologies identify sets ancient protein exhibit only partial overlap. For example, bioinformatic approaches have identified distinct subunits ATP synthetase as potentially inherited LUCA. Additionally, we discuss detailed evolutionary analysis reverse gyrase modified previous inferences about an hyperthermophilic LUCA based mainly automatic pipelines. conclude by emphasizing importance developing database dedicated studying genes proteins traceable back earlier stages cellular evolution. Such would house most earth.

Language: Английский

---