Evidence that eukaryotes and eocyte prokaryotes are immediate relatives - PubMed (original) (raw)

Comparative Study

. 1992 Jul 3;257(5066):74-6.

doi: 10.1126/science.1621096.

Affiliations

Comparative Study

Evidence that eukaryotes and eocyte prokaryotes are immediate relatives

M C Rivera et al. Science. 1992.

Abstract

The phylogenetic origin of eukaryotes has been unclear because eukaryotic nuclear genes have diverged substantially from prokaryotic ones. The genes coding for elongation factor EF-1 alpha were compared among various organisms. The EF-1 alpha sequences of eukaryotes contained an 11-amino acid segment that was also found in eocytes (extremely thermophilic, sulfur-metabolizing bacteria) but that was absent in all other bacteria. The related (paralogous) genes encoding elongation factor EF-2 and initiation factor IF-2 also lacked the 11-amino acid insert. These data imply that the eocytes are the closest surviving relatives (sister taxon) of the eukaryotes.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources