Diversity of electron transport chains in anaerobic protists

Date

2021

Authors

Gawryluk, Ryan M. R.
Stairs, Courtney W.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Biochimica et Biophysica Aca (BBA) - Bioenergetics

Abstract

Eukaryotic microbes (protists) that occupy low-oxygen environments often have drastically different mitochondrial metabolism compared to their aerobic relatives. A common theme among many anaerobic protists is the serial loss of components of the electron transport chain (ETC). Here, we discuss the diversity of the ETC across the tree of eukaryotes and review hypotheses for how ETCs are modified, and ultimately lost, in protists. We find that while protists have converged to some of the same metabolism as anaerobic animals, there are clear protist-specific strategies to thrive without oxygen.

Description

Keywords

Anaerobic protists, Electron transport chain, Rhodoquinone, Evolution, Lateral gene transfer, Mitochondrion

Citation

Ryan M. R. Gawryluk & Courtney W. Stairs. (2021). Diversity of electron transport chains in anaerobic protists. Biochimica et Biophysica Aca (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 1862(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148334.