Dunn, Cory D. (2017) Some like it hot: A hypothesis for establishment of the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont during eukaryogenesis. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Available evidence suggests that two prokaryotes, an archaeon and a bacterium, collaborated in the eventual formation of nucleated cells with arguably increased complexity of form and function. However, the mechanisms by which bacteria and archaea cooperated in the formation of eukaryotes, and the selective pressures that promoted this partnership, remain a mystery.

Mitochondria are eukaryotic organelles thought to be derived from respiring, alpha-proteobacterial endosymbionts capable of generating ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. The earliest eukaryote likely harbored mitochondria, since all characterized eukaryotic lineages show evidence of containing, or having once contained, these organelles. Consequently, it has been argued that mitochondria, and particularly the ATP that can be generated by these compartments, allowed for evolution toward an expanded number of proteins, an increase in overt specialization achievable by eukaryotic cells, and the eventual formation of complex multicellular organisms. However, the relationship between mitochondrial ATP generation and its potency in allowing genome expansion has been a matter of debate. Moreover, how and why an endosymbiont not yet converted to an organelle might purposefully provide ATP to its host is not clear.

Here, I propose that the initial driving force for integration of the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont within the proto-eukaryotic host may not have been provision of ATP to its archaeal partner, but rather that heat generated by the endosymbiont allowed the archaeal host to endure lower temperatures at the outset of eukaryogenesis. I discuss how this arrangement may have led to the increased apparent complexity that is characteristic of eukaryotes.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Dunn, Cory D. cory.dunn@helsinki.fi 0000-0003-2393-5944
Keywords:	endosymbiosis, eukaryogenesis, mitochondria, archaea, temperature
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics
Depositing User:	Dr. Cory Dunn
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2017 14:32
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2017 14:32
Item ID:	13210
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics
Date:	14 July 2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/13210

Available Versions of this Item

• Some like it hot: A hypothesis for establishment of the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont during eukaryogenesis. (deposited 15 Jul 2017 14:32) [Currently Displayed]
  • Some like it hot: A hypothesis regarding establishment of the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont during eukaryogenesis. (deposited 27 Jul 2017 16:14)
    • Some Liked It Hot: A Hypothesis Regarding Establishment of the Proto-Mitochondrial Endosymbiont During Eukaryogenesis. (deposited 14 Nov 2017 15:50)

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