Evolution of Photosynthesis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Evolution of Photosynthesis PP62CH21-Blankenship ARI 15 April 2011 10:14 Evolution of Photosynthesis Martin F. Hohmann-Marriott1 and Robert E. Blankenship2 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand 2Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130; email: [email protected] Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2011. 62:515–48 Keywords First published online as a Review in Advance on oxygen, reaction center, chlorophyll, chemiosmosis, electron March 23, 2011 transport, endosymbiosis The Annual Review of Plant Biology is online at plant.annualreviews.org Abstract This article’s doi: Energy conversion of sunlight by photosynthetic organisms has changed 10.1146/annurev-arplant-042110-103811 Earth and life on it. Photosynthesis arose early in Earth’s history, and Copyright c 2011 by Annual Reviews. the earliest forms of photosynthetic life were almost certainly anoxy- by Universidad Veracruzana on 01/08/14. For personal use only. All rights reserved genic (non-oxygen evolving). The invention of oxygenic photosynthesis 1543-5008/11/0602-0515$20.00 and the subsequent rise of atmospheric oxygen approximately 2.4 bil- Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2011.62:515-548. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org lion years ago revolutionized the energetic and enzymatic fundamen- tals of life. The repercussions of this revolution are manifested in novel biosynthetic pathways of photosynthetic cofactors and the modifica- tion of electron carriers, pigments, and existing and alternative modes of photosynthetic carbon fixation. The evolutionary history of pho- tosynthetic organisms is further complicated by lateral gene transfer that involved photosynthetic components as well as by endosymbiotic events. An expanding wealth of genetic information, together with bio- chemical, biophysical, and physiological data, reveals a mosaic of pho- tosynthetic features. In combination, these data provide an increasingly robust framework to formulate and evaluate hypotheses concerning the origin and evolution of photosynthesis. 515 PP62CH21-Blankenship ARI 15 April 2011 10:14 pigments engaged in harvesting sunlight. An at- Contents mosphere in which large amounts of complex organic molecules and high concentrations of INTRODUCTION.................. 516 oxygen coexist (106) is another sign that the TheEnergeticsofPresentLife..... 516 entire planet is bustling with life. Over billions Energetics of the Early Period in of years, photosynthetic organisms have trans- LifeHistory.................... 517 formed our planet and the life on it (30). The The Quest for Carbon . 517 interdependence of photosynthesis and the de- Proton and Electron Transport . 517 velopment of our planet and the life it harbors Distribution of Photosystems make the study of the evolutionary develop- and Rhodopsins. 518 ment of photosynthesis an exciting endeavor This Review . 518 that connects experimental data and theoreti- GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR cal concepts across scientific disciplines. PHOTOSYNTHESIS............. 518 CarboninAncientRocks........... 519 Oxygen............................ 519 The Energetics of Present Life Fossil Record . 520 Life requires a constant flux of energy to persist Chemical Indicators. 520 and proliferate. The energy gradient that main- GeneticEvidence.................. 520 tains our biosphere is provided by photosyn- MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION . 521 thesis. Photosynthetic organisms stabilize the Molecular Evolution . 521 fleeting energy contained in a photon by break- Establishing Metabolic Networks . 521 ing and creating chemical bonds against the EVOLUTION OF COFACTORS . 521 chemical equilibrium. Our present atmosphere IronSulfurCluster................. 521 composition, with more than 20% O2, provides Hemes............................ 522 the basis of the energy gradient that sustains life Quinones.......................... 522 close to the Earth’s surface (147). The domi- Chlorophylls...................... 524 nant group of photosynthetic organisms gen- EVOLUTION OF PROTEIN erates O2 through the decomposition of water. COMPLEXES.................... 527 The electrons liberated in this process can be Rhodopsins . 527 used to reduce inorganic carbon to form organic Reaction Centers . 527 molecules to build cellular components. This ATPSynthases.................... 532 stored redox energy can be released by oxidizing Light-Harvesting Complexes . 534 the generated molecules, thereby recombining by Universidad Veracruzana on 01/08/14. For personal use only. Quinol-Acceptor Oxidoreductase . 535 electrons with O2 and protons to generate wa- EVOLUTION OF ORGANISM ter. This process is the basis of energy gener- GROUPS......................... 536 Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2011.62:515-548. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org ation by oxygen-dependent respiration. Pho- Evolution of Photosynthetic tosynthesis and oxygen-dependent respiration Bacteria........................ 536 complete a water-oxygen cycle (46). Before wa- Evolution of Photosynthetic ter was adopted as the main electron source, Eukaryotes..................... 536 photosynthetic organisms may have utilized hy- PERSPECTIVE...................... 540 drogen, ferrous iron, and hydrogen sulfide in place of oxygen as an electron source for redox cycling (Table 1), and even today many types of anoxygenic (non-oxygen-evolving) photosyn- INTRODUCTION thetic organisms utilize these electron donors Our planet is alive and photosynthesis pow- instead of water. The continued utilization ers it. This is evident by the spectral signa- of oxygen, sulfur, and iron, in combination ture of our planet (96), which is colored by the with the incorporation of inorganic carbon, left 516 Hohmann-Marriott · Blankenship PP62CH21-Blankenship ARI 15 April 2011 10:14 signatures for tracing the early evolution of life Table 1 Redox midpoint potentials of electron donor and electron and metabolic processes such as photosynthesis carrier redox couples through geological times (74). Redox midpoint Reductant Redox couple potential at pH 7 [V] a + − Energetics of the Early Period Hydrogen H2/2H 0.420 a 0 − in Life History Sulfide H2S/S 0.240 b,c 2+ Ferrous iron Fe /Fe(OH)3 0.150 Virtually all oxygen in our atmosphere has a Hydrogen peroxide H2O2/O2 0.270 been produced by oxygenic photosynthetic a Water H2O/1/2 O2 0.815 organisms. However, for long periods in the Ferredoxin (red)a Fd (red)/Fd (ox) −0.430 history of our planet and life, oxygen may not NADPHa NADPH/NADP −0.320 have been present in the atmosphere to an ap- Menaquinold MQ (red)/MQ (ox) −0.070 preciable extent (80). The ancient atmosphere Ubiquinold UQ (red)/UQ (ox) 0.100 was composed of methane, carbon dioxide, and Plastoquinold PQ (red)/PQ (ox) 0.100 nitrogen. The organisms that lived then did Rieske FeS clusterc RFeS (red)/RFeS (ox) 0.100–0.270 not rely on the oxygen–water cycle but were linked to other molecules in a strictly anaerobic aSee Reference 121. biochemistry. When O2 appeared in the atmo- bSee Reference 118. sphere approximately 2.4 Gya, it fundamentally cAt 10 μML−1. altered the redox balance on Earth, and or- dSee Reference 160. ganisms were either forced to adapt to oxygen, retreat to anaerobic ecological niches, or be- (RCs) provide electrons for photoautotrophic come extinct. Evolving ways to tolerate O2 and eventually to utilize the tremendous amount of organisms, including green sulfur bacteria, most purple bacteria, cyanobacteria, and energy available when O2 is used as a terminal oxidant, organisms greatly expanded their photosynthetic eukaryotes. In contrast, photo- repertoire of metabolic processes (29, 152). heterotrophic organisms, including some types of purple bacteria, acidobacteria, heliobacteria, and some photosynthetic Archaea, utilize light The Quest for Carbon energy to generate a protonmotive force and The ability to create organic molecules by phosphoanhydride bonds but require organic incorporating inorganic carbon is critical molecules as a carbon source. A schematic to carbon-based life forms. Creatures that of different modes of light-driven energy by Universidad Veracruzana on 01/08/14. For personal use only. can do it without using organic molecules conversion is given in Figure 1. produced by others are endowed with the Gya: giga (1 × 109) Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2011.62:515-548. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org title “autotroph.” Different pathways for the incorporation of carbon exist (171) (Table 1). Proton and Electron Transport years ago Some organisms grow autotrophically on The flow of electrons—from electron donor Autotroph: an methane that is oxidized to generate energy as to electron acceptor—is channeled by protein organism that can produce all carbon- well as to provide the carbon for incorporation complexes that always contain metallo-organic containing molecules into cellular metabolism (173) by aerobic and cofactors. Although dissipating this energy gra- from small, inorganic oxygen-independent respiration (145). In con- dient can store energy by generating or break- molecules utilizing chemical energy trast to CH4 incorporation, where getting rid ing chemical bonds, another mechanism for of electrons is the tricky part, the incorporation capturing energy is ubiquitous throughout the gradients (chemoautotroph) or of CO2 requires electrons. Electron donors in tree of life. Membrane-bound complexes cou- light energy the environment are the staple electron source ple the transfer of electrons across the mem- (photoautotroph) for chemoautotrophic organisms, and elec- brane to the generation
Recommended publications
  • Biology and Systematics of Heterokont and Haptophyte Algae1
    American Journal of Botany 91(10): 1508±1522. 2004. BIOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF HETEROKONT AND HAPTOPHYTE ALGAE1 ROBERT A. ANDERSEN Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, P.O. Box 475, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575 USA In this paper, I review what is currently known of phylogenetic relationships of heterokont and haptophyte algae. Heterokont algae are a monophyletic group that is classi®ed into 17 classes and represents a diverse group of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial algae. Classes are distinguished by morphology, chloroplast pigments, ultrastructural features, and gene sequence data. Electron microscopy and molecular biology have contributed signi®cantly to our understanding of their evolutionary relationships, but even today class relationships are poorly understood. Haptophyte algae are a second monophyletic group that consists of two classes of predominately marine phytoplankton. The closest relatives of the haptophytes are currently unknown, but recent evidence indicates they may be part of a large assemblage (chromalveolates) that includes heterokont algae and other stramenopiles, alveolates, and cryptophytes. Heter- okont and haptophyte algae are important primary producers in aquatic habitats, and they are probably the primary carbon source for petroleum products (crude oil, natural gas). Key words: chromalveolate; chromist; chromophyte; ¯agella; phylogeny; stramenopile; tree of life. Heterokont algae are a monophyletic group that includes all (Phaeophyceae) by Linnaeus (1753), and shortly thereafter, photosynthetic organisms with tripartite tubular hairs on the microscopic chrysophytes (currently 5 Oikomonas, Anthophy- mature ¯agellum (discussed later; also see Wetherbee et al., sa) were described by MuÈller (1773, 1786). The history of 1988, for de®nitions of mature and immature ¯agella), as well heterokont algae was recently discussed in detail (Andersen, as some nonphotosynthetic relatives and some that have sec- 2004), and four distinct periods were identi®ed.
    [Show full text]
  • Predatory Flagellates – the New Recently Discovered Deep Branches of the Eukaryotic Tree and Their Evolutionary and Ecological Significance
    Protistology 14 (1), 15–22 (2020) Protistology Predatory flagellates – the new recently discovered deep branches of the eukaryotic tree and their evolutionary and ecological significance Denis V. Tikhonenkov Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, 152742, Russia | Submitted March 20, 2020 | Accepted April 6, 2020 | Summary Predatory protists are poorly studied, although they are often representing important deep-branching evolutionary lineages and new eukaryotic supergroups. This short review/opinion paper is inspired by the recent discoveries of various predatory flagellates, which form sister groups of the giant eukaryotic clusters on phylogenetic trees, and illustrate an ancestral state of one or another supergroup of eukaryotes. Here we discuss their evolutionary and ecological relevance and show that the study of such protists may be essential in addressing previously puzzling evolutionary problems, such as the origin of multicellular animals, the plastid spread trajectory, origins of photosynthesis and parasitism, evolution of mitochondrial genomes. Key words: evolution of eukaryotes, heterotrophic flagellates, mitochondrial genome, origin of animals, photosynthesis, predatory protists, tree of life Predatory flagellates and diversity of eu- of the hidden diversity of protists (Moon-van der karyotes Staay et al., 2000; López-García et al., 2001; Edg- comb et al., 2002; Massana et al., 2004; Richards The well-studied multicellular animals, plants and Bass, 2005; Tarbe et al., 2011; de Vargas et al., and fungi immediately come to mind when we hear 2015). In particular, several prevailing and very abun- the term “eukaryotes”. However, these groups of dant ribogroups such as MALV, MAST, MAOP, organisms represent a minority in the real diversity MAFO (marine alveolates, stramenopiles, opistho- of evolutionary lineages of eukaryotes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Apicoplast: a Review of the Derived Plastid of Apicomplexan Parasites
    Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 7: 57-80. Online journalThe Apicoplastat www.cimb.org 57 The Apicoplast: A Review of the Derived Plastid of Apicomplexan Parasites Ross F. Waller1 and Geoffrey I. McFadden2,* way to apicoplast discovery with studies of extra- chromosomal DNAs recovered from isopycnic density 1Botany, University of British Columbia, 3529-6270 gradient fractionation of total Plasmodium DNA. This University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada group recovered two DNA forms; one a 6kb tandemly 2Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, Botany, University repeated element that was later identifed as the of Melbourne, 3010, Australia mitochondrial genome, and a second, 35kb circle that was supposed to represent the DNA circles previously observed by microscopists (Wilson et al., 1996b; Wilson Abstract and Williamson, 1997). This molecule was also thought The apicoplast is a plastid organelle, homologous to to be mitochondrial DNA, and early sequence data of chloroplasts of plants, that is found in apicomplexan eubacterial-like rRNA genes supported this organellar parasites such as the causative agents of Malaria conclusion. However, as the sequencing effort continued Plasmodium spp. It occurs throughout the Apicomplexa a new conclusion, that was originally embraced with and is an ancient feature of this group acquired by the some awkwardness (“Have malaria parasites three process of endosymbiosis. Like plant chloroplasts, genomes?”, Wilson et al., 1991), began to emerge. apicoplasts are semi-autonomous with their own genome Gradually, evermore convincing character traits of a and expression machinery. In addition, apicoplasts import plastid genome were uncovered, and strong parallels numerous proteins encoded by nuclear genes. These with plastid genomes from non-photosynthetic plants nuclear genes largely derive from the endosymbiont (Epifagus virginiana) and algae (Astasia longa) became through a process of intracellular gene relocation.
    [Show full text]
  • Functional Group-Specific Traits Drive Phytoplankton Dynamics in the Oligotrophic Ocean
    Functional group-specific traits drive phytoplankton dynamics in the oligotrophic ocean Harriet Alexandera,b, Mónica Roucoc, Sheean T. Haleyc, Samuel T. Wilsond, David M. Karld,1, and Sonya T. Dyhrmanc,1 aMIT–WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Cambridge, MA 02139; bBiology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543; cDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964; and dDaniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822 Contributed by David M. Karl, September 15, 2015 (sent for review June 29, 2015; reviewed by Kay D. Bidle and Adrian Marchetti) A diverse microbial assemblage in the ocean is responsible for Marine phytoplankton accounts for roughly half of global nearly half of global primary production. It has been hypothesized primary production (6). Although central to balancing global and experimentally demonstrated that nutrient loading can stimulate biogeochemical models of gross primary production (7), knowl- blooms of large eukaryotic phytoplankton in oligotrophic systems. edge of the biogeochemical drivers that govern the dynamics of Although central to balancing biogeochemical models, knowledge of these bloom-forming organisms in oligotrophic systems is lim- the metabolic traits that govern the dynamics of these bloom-forming ited. Nutrient environments are integral to the structuring of phytoplankton is limited. We used eukaryotic metatranscriptomic phytoplankton communities (8–10) and initiating blooms. Orig- techniques to identify the metabolic basis of functional group-specific inally thought to be a stable low-fluctuating habitat, long-term traits that may drive the shift between net heterotrophy and monitoring at Station ALOHA has demonstrated that within the autotrophy in the oligotrophic ocean.
    [Show full text]
  • HISTORY and ANALYSIS of the CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY by William E
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF William E. Elliott for the degree ofMaster of Science in General Science presented on March 1, 1990. Title: History and Analysis of theCreation ltee Society Redacted for Privacy Abstractapproved: The resurgence of creationismthe past few years has been led by advocates of recent-creationism. These individuals, a minority among creationists in general, argue that the entire universe was created approximately 10,000 years ago in one six- day period of time.Recent-creationists support their position by appealing to the Genesis account of creation and scientific data. Their interpretation of Genesis is based on the doctrines of conservative, evangelical Christianity. Their interpretation of scientific data is informed by their theological presuppositions. The scientific side of recent-creationism is supported by several organizations, most of which had their origin in one group, the Creation Research Society. The CRS is a major factor in the rise of the modern creationist movement. Founded in 1963, this small (c. 2000 mem- bers) group claims to be a bona-fide scientific society engaged in valid scientific re- search conducted from a recent-creationist perspective. These claims are analyzed and evaluated. The Society's history is discussed, including antecedent creationist groups. Most of the group's founders were members of the American Scientific Affiliation, and their rejection of changes within the ASA was a significant motivating factor in founding the CRS. The organization, functioning, and finances of the Society are de- tailed with special emphasis on the group's struggles for independence and credibility. founding the CRS. The organization, functioning, and finances of the Society are de- tailed with special emphasis on the group's struggles for independence and credibility.
    [Show full text]
  • Science Destroys the Evolutionary Paradigm
    SCIENCE DESTROYS THE EVOLUTIONARY PARADIGM An Inservice Manual for Young-Earth Creationists Free Images – Snappygoat.com Materialistic Naturalism, an Immoral and Incoherent Philosophy!!! Dr. Jim Pagels – 4/18/2018 1 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:9-11 This book along with its predecessors including Apologetic Resources, Lesson Plans for Biblical Apologetics and Touching Lives through Apologetics, a Counseling Perspective are offered free for personal and professional use in ministry, being available as downloads on the Michigan District website under schools-curriculum. Scriptural references are typically taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) although the King James Version (KJV) is also periodically utilized. 2 Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………..…….5 Preface…………………………………………………………………………………………...6 Intended Audience ……………………………………………………………………………....8 Inservice Perspective……….…………………………………………………………….……..9 Inservice Questionnaire……………………………………………………………..…………10 1. Evolution, an Attack on the Supernatural Nature of God…………………………………..21 2. In Search of Truth…………………………………………………………………………..23 3. Creation Apologetics, Simple for Some, Incomprehensible to Others………..……..…….35 4. Two Typical Approaches to Young Earth Creationism……………………………………38 5. The Absolute Veracity of the Supernatural…………………….…………………………..40 6. A Tactical Approach to Creationism………………………….………………………..…..43 7.
    [Show full text]
  • A Single Origin of the Peridinin- and Fucoxanthin- Containing Plastids in Dinoflagellates Through Tertiary Endosymbiosis
    A single origin of the peridinin- and fucoxanthin- containing plastids in dinoflagellates through tertiary endosymbiosis Hwan Su Yoon, Jeremiah D. Hackett, and Debashish Bhattacharya† Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Comparative Genomics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 85542-1324 Edited by Hewson Swift, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, and approved June 26, 2002 (received for review April 18, 2002) The most widely distributed dinoflagellate plastid contains chlo- (as Gymnodinium breve), Karenia mikimotoi (as Gymnodinium rophyll c2 and peridinin as the major carotenoid. A second plastid mikimotoi), and Karlodinium micrum (as Gymnodinium galathea- type, found in taxa such as Karlodinium micrum and Karenia spp., num) (12) is surrounded by three membranes and contains ͞ ؉ ؅ ϩ Ј contains chlorophylls c1 c2 and 19 -hexanoyloxy-fucoxanthin chlorophylls c1 c2 and 19 -hexanoyloxy-fucoxanthin and or .(and͞or 19؅-butanoyloxy-fucoxanthin but lacks peridinin. Because 19Ј-butanoyloxy-fucoxanthin, but lacks peridinin (6, 13, 14 ؉ the presence of chlorophylls c1 c2 and fucoxanthin is typical of These taxa are believed to be monophyletic, and their plastid is haptophyte algae, the second plastid type is believed to have believed to have originated from a haptophyte alga through a originated from a haptophyte tertiary endosymbiosis in an ances- tertiary endosymbiosis in their common ancestor (15). Hapto- tral peridinin-containing dinoflagellate. This hypothesis has, how- phyte algae are primarily unicellular marine taxa that have ever, never been thoroughly tested in plastid trees that contain external body scales composed of calcium carbonate known as genes from both peridinin- and fucoxanthin-containing dinoflagel- coccoliths, two anterior flagella, and plastids surrounded by four lates.
    [Show full text]
  • Biochemical Characterization and Essentiality of Plasmodium
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/158956; this version posted July 3, 2017. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Biochemical characterization and essentiality of Plasmodium fumarate hydratase Vijay Jayaraman 1, Arpitha Suryavanshi 1, Pavithra Kalale1, Jyothirmayi Kunala1,2, Hemalatha Balaram 1# 1 Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560064, INDIA. Tel: 91-80-22082812 Fax:91-80-22082766 2 Current affiliation: Molecular characterization/Analytical group, Biocon Research Ltd.-SEZ unit, Biocon Park, Bommasandra-Jigani link road, Bangalore, 560099, INDIA. #E-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), the causative agent of malaria has an iron-sulfur cluster-containing class I fumarate hydratase (FH) that catalyzes the interconversion of fumarate to malate, a well-known reaction in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In humans, the same reaction is catalyzed by class II FH that has no sequence or structural homology with the class I enzyme. Fumarate, generated in large quantities in the parasite as a byproduct of AMP synthesis is converted to malate by the action of FH, and subsequently used in the generation of the key metabolites oxaloacetate, aspartate and pyruvate. Here we report on the kinetic characterization of purified recombinant PfFH, functional complementation of fh deficiency in Escherichia. coli and mitochondrial localization in the parasite. The substrate analog, mercaptosuccinic acid was found to be a potent inhibitor of PfFH with a Ki value in the nanomolar range.
    [Show full text]
  • Nanoplankton Protists from the Western Mediterranean Sea. II. Cryptomonads (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomonadea)*
    sm69n1047 4/3/05 20:30 Página 47 SCI. MAR., 69 (1): 47-74 SCIENTIA MARINA 2005 Nanoplankton protists from the western Mediterranean Sea. II. Cryptomonads (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomonadea)* GIANFRANCO NOVARINO Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. E-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY: This paper is an electron microscopical account of cryptomonad flagellates (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomon- adea) in the plankton of the western Mediterranean Sea. Bottle samples collected during the spring-summer of 1998 in the Sea of Alboran and Barcelona coastal waters contained a total of eleven photosynthetic species: Chroomonas (sensu aucto- rum) sp., Cryptochloris sp., 3 species of Hemiselmis, 3 species of Plagioselmis including Plagioselmis nordica stat. nov/sp. nov., Rhinomonas reticulata (Lucas) Novarino, Teleaulax acuta (Butcher) Hill, and Teleaulax amphioxeia (Conrad) Hill. Identification was based largely on cell surface features, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cells were either dispersed in the water-column or associated with suspended particulate matter (SPM). Plagioselmis prolonga was the most common species both in the water-column and in association with SPM, suggesting that it might be a key primary pro- ducer of carbon. Taxonomic keys are given based on SEM. Key words: Cryptomonadea, cryptomonads, Cryptophyceae, flagellates, nanoplankton, taxonomy, ultrastructure. RESUMEN: PROTISTAS NANOPLANCTÓNICOS DEL MAR MEDITERRANEO NOROCCIDENTAL II. CRYPTOMONADALES (CRYPTOPHY- CEAE = CRYPTOMONADEA). – Este estudio describe a los flagelados cryptomonadales (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomonadea) planctónicos del Mar Mediterraneo Noroccidental mediante microscopia electrónica. La muestras recogidas en botellas durante la primavera-verano de 1998 en el Mar de Alboran y en aguas costeras de Barcelona, contenian un total de 11 espe- cies fotosintéticas: Chroomonas (sensu auctorum) sp., Cryptochloris sp., 3 especies de Hemiselmis, 3 especies de Plagio- selmis incluyendo Plagioselmis nordica stat.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ultrastructural Study of Vegetative Cells of the Chromophyte
    MORPHOLOGICAL & PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF TWO SPECIES OF HETEROKONT ALAGE Ian Misner A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Department of Biological Sciences University of North Carolina at Wilmington 2004 Approved by Advisory Committee _______________________________ ______________________________ Chair _______________________________ ______________________________ Accepted by ______________________________ Dean, Graduate School TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. v DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1. PHYLOGENETIC POSITIONS OF THE COLORLESS, COLONIAL IRON-FLAGELLATE ANTHOPHYSA VEGETANS AND POLYKARYON PYRENOIDOSUM GEN. ET COMB. NOV. (HETEROKONTOPHYTA) .............. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 Materials and Methods ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sequestration, Performance, and Functional Control of Cryptophyte Plastids in the Ciliate Myrionecta Rubra (Ciliophora)1
    J. Phycol. 42, 1235–1246 (2006) r 2006 by the Phycological Society of America DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00275.x SEQUESTRATION, PERFORMANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CONTROL OF CRYPTOPHYTE PLASTIDS IN THE CILIATE MYRIONECTA RUBRA (CILIOPHORA)1 Matthew D. Johnson2 Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, Maryland 21613, USA Torstein Tengs National Veterinary Institute, Section of Food and Feed Microbiology, Ullevaalsveien 68, 0454 Oslo, Norway David Oldach Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA and Diane K. Stoecker Horn Point Laboratory, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Cambridge, Maryland 21613, USA Myrionecta rubra (Lohmann 1908, Jankowski Key index words: ciliate; Geminigera cryophila; 1976) is a photosynthetic ciliate with a global dis- mixotrophy; Myrionecta rubra; nucleomorph; or- tribution in neritic and estuarine habitats and has ganelle sequestration long been recognized to possess organelles of Abbreviations: CMC, chloroplast–mitochondria cryptophycean origin. Here we show, using nucleo- complex; HL, high light; LL, low light; LMWC, morph (Nm) small subunit rRNA gene sequence low-molecular-weight compound; MAA, micros- data, quantitative PCR, and pigment absorption scans, that an M. rubra culture has plastids identi- porine-like amino acids; ML, maximum likelihood; NGC, number of genomes per cell; PE, photosyn- cal to those of its cryptophyte prey, Geminigera thesis versus irradiance; TBR, tree bisection-recon- cf. cryophila (Taylor and Lee 1971, Hill 1991). Using quantitative PCR, we demonstrate that G. cf. struction cryophila plastids undergo division in growing M. rubra and are regulated by the ciliate. M. rubra maintained chl per cell and maximum cellu- Myrionecta rubra (5Mesodinium rubrum) (Lohmann cell lar photosynthetic rates (Pmax) that were 6–8 times 1908, Jankowski 1976) (Mesodiniidae, Litostomatea) that of G.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Genome Sequence of the Plastid-Lacking
    Cenci et al. BMC Biology (2018) 16:137 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-018-0593-5 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Nuclear genome sequence of the plastid- lacking cryptomonad Goniomonas avonlea provides insights into the evolution of secondary plastids Ugo Cenci1,2†, Shannon J. Sibbald1,2†, Bruce A. Curtis1,2, Ryoma Kamikawa3, Laura Eme1,2,11, Daniel Moog1,2,12, Bernard Henrissat4,5,6, Eric Maréchal7, Malika Chabi8, Christophe Djemiel8, Andrew J. Roger1,2,9, Eunsoo Kim10 and John M. Archibald1,2,9* Abstract Background: The evolution of photosynthesis has been a major driver in eukaryotic diversification. Eukaryotes have acquired plastids (chloroplasts) either directly via the engulfment and integration of a photosynthetic cyanobacterium (primary endosymbiosis) or indirectly by engulfing a photosynthetic eukaryote (secondary or tertiary endosymbiosis). The timing and frequency of secondary endosymbiosis during eukaryotic evolution is currently unclear but may be resolved in part by studying cryptomonads, a group of single-celled eukaryotes comprised of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic species. While cryptomonads such as Guillardia theta harbor a red algal-derived plastid of secondary endosymbiotic origin, members of the sister group Goniomonadea lack plastids. Here, we present the genome of Goniomonas avonlea—the first for any goniomonad—to address whether Goniomonadea are ancestrally non-photosynthetic or whether they lost a plastid secondarily. Results: We sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Goniomonas avonlea and carried out a comparative analysis of Go. avonlea, Gu. theta, and other cryptomonads. The Go. avonlea genome assembly is ~ 92 Mbp in size, with 33,470 predicted protein-coding genes. Interestingly, some metabolic pathways (e.g., fatty acid biosynthesis) predicted to occur in the plastid and periplastidal compartment of Gu.
    [Show full text]