The eukaryotic cell originated in the integration and redistribution of hyperstructures from communities of prokaryotic cells based on molecular complementarity.
In the "ecosystems-first" approach to the origins of life, networks of non-covalent assemblies of molecules (composomes), rather than individual protocells, evolved under the constraints of molecular complementarity. Composomes evolved into the hyperstructures of modern bacteria. We extend the ecosystems-first approach to explain the origin of eukaryotic cells through the integration of mixed populations of bacteria. We suggest that mutualism and symbiosis resulted in cellular mergers entailing the loss of redundant hyperstructures, the uncoupling of transcription and translation, and the emergence of introns and multiple chromosomes. Molecular complementarity also facilitated integration of bacterial hyperstructures to perform cytoskeletal and movement functions.
Norris
Vic
V
AMMIS Laboratory, EA 3829, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, 76821 France.
Root-Bernstein
Robert
R
0000-0002-3298-9306
Department of Physiology, 2174 BPS, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
D002465:Cell Movement; D003599:Cytoskeleton; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053038:Quorum Sensing