Rooting the eukaryote tree by using a derived gene fusion.

Alexandra Stechmann; Thomas Cavalier-Smith

doi:10.1126/science.1071196

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Rooting the eukaryote tree by using a derived gene fusion.

Alexandra Stechmann·Thomas Cavalier-Smith

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Abstract

Single-gene trees have failed to locate the root of the eukaryote tree because of systematic biases in sequence evolution. Structural genetic data should yield more reliable insights into deep phylogenetic relationships. We searched major protist groups for the presence or absence of a gene fusion in order to locate the root of the eukaryote tree. In striking contrast to previous molecular studies, we show that all eukaryote groups ancestrally with two cilia (bikonts) are evolutionarily derived. The root lies between bikonts and opisthokonts (animals, Fungi, Choanozoa). Amoebozoa either diverged even earlier or are sister of bikonts or (less likely) opisthokonts.

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Animals Biological Evolution Ciliophora Eukaryota Eukaryotic Cells Evolution, Molecular Fungi Molecular Sequence Data Multienzyme Complexes Phylogeny Plants Recombination, Genetic Sequence Alignment Sequence Analysis, DNA Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase Thymidylate Synthase Comparative Study Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Alexandra Stechmann, Thomas Cavalier-Smith. 2002-07-05. Rooting the eukaryote tree by using a derived gene fusion.. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1071196

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