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Origins of the eukaryotic proteome and a minimal role for mitochondrial homologues

Reference	BB/C006143/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Martin Embley
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Robert Hirt
Institution	Newcastle University
Department	Sch of Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	158,477
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/06/2005
End date	31/05/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Current theories for the origin of the eukaryotic cell suggest that it originated through fusion or endosymbiosis involving two or more different prokaryotes. Others have posited that eukaryotic cells are continually accepting genes from the prokaryotes that they eat or otherwise encounter in the environment. To test these different hypotheses we will use whole-genome phylogenetic analyses to determine the patterns of ancestry for the eukaryotic proteome. The mitochondrion is widely perceived to be one of the most important organelles in aerobic eukaryotes because it makes energy via oxidative phosphorylation. However, many anaerobic or parasitic eukaryotes lack oxidative phosphorylation, but still possess mitochondrial homologues or largely unknown function. It thus appears that all eukaryotes, irrespective of their lifestyle, contain a mitochondrial homologue. We will use bioinformatics to search the genomes of aerobic, anaerobic and parasitic eukaryotes for a putative common organelle proteome. The result of this analysis should provide insight into the fundamental role of this apparently vital eukaryotic organelle.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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