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Planctomycetes and eukaryotes: A case of analogy not homology

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor T. Martin Embley FMedSci FRSORCiD

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Abstract

Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia and Chlamydia are prokaryotic phyla, sometimes grouped together as the PVC superphylum of eubacteria. Some PVC species possess interesting attributes, in particular, internal membranes that superficially resemble eukaryotic endomembranes. Some biologists now claim that PVC bacteria are nucleus-bearing prokaryotes and are considered evolutionary intermediates in the transition from prokaryote to eukaryote. PVC prokaryotes do not possess a nucleus and are not intermediates in the prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition. Here we summarise the evidence that shows why all of the PVC traits that are currently cited as evidence for aspiring eukaryoticity are either analogous (the result of convergent evolution), not homologous, to eukaryotic traits; or else they are the result of horizontal gene transfers.

Publication metadata

Author(s): McInerney JO, Martin WF, Koonin EV, Allen JF, Galperin MY, Lane N, Archibald JM, Embley TM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BioEssays

Year: 2011

Volume: 33

Issue: 11

Pages: 810-817

Print publication date: 22/08/2011

ISSN (print): 0265-9247

ISSN (electronic): 1521-1878

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bies.201100045

DOI: 10.1002/bies.201100045

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