Tetrapyrrole Synthesis of Photosynthetic Chromerids Is Likely Homologous to the Unusual Pathway of Apicomplexan Parasites

0367760 - BC 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Kořený, Luděk - Sobotka, Roman - Janouškovec, J. - Keeling, P. J. - Oborník, Miroslav
Tetrapyrrole Synthesis of Photosynthetic Chromerids Is Likely Homologous to the Unusual Pathway of Apicomplexan Parasites.
Plant Cell. Roč. 23, č. 9 (2011), s. 3454-3462. ISSN 1040-4651. E-ISSN 1532-298X
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/08/1423; GA AV ČR IAA601410907
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518; CEZ:AV0Z50200510
Keywords : YEAST SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE * HEME-BIOSYNTHESIS PATHWAY * PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM * MALARIA PARASITE * 5-AMINOLEVULINATE SYNTHASE * SECONDARY PLASTIDS * TOXOPLASMA-GONDII * PROTEIN-TRANSPORT * EUGLENA-GRACILIS * METABOLIC MAPS
Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology
Impact factor: 8.987, year: 2011

Most photosynthetic eukaryotes synthesize both heme and chlorophyll via a common tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway starting from glutamate. This pathway was derived mainly from cyanobacterial predecessor of the plastid and differs from the heme synthesis of the plastid-lacking eukaryotes. Here, we show that the coral-associated alveolate Chromera velia, the closest known photosynthetic relative to Apicomplexa, possesses a tetrapyrrole pathway that is homologous to the unusual pathway of apicomplexan parasites. We also demonstrate that, unlike other eukaryotic phototrophs, Chromera synthesizes chlorophyll from glycine and succinyl-CoA rather than glutamate. Our data shed light on the evolution of the heme biosynthesis in parasitic Apicomplexa and photosynthesis-related biochemical processes in their ancestors.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202316