A paradigm gets shifty
Article Abstract:
Biologists accept that eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes and the most accepted theory is that of Lynn Margulish who suggested that there was a symbiotic relationship between mitochondria and plastids. However, data resulting from genome-sequencing projects suggests that eukaryotic nuclear genomes have genes with bacterial origins which have no link with mitochondrion functions. Martin and Muller have proposed a new theory which claims that the relevant activity of the proteobacterium was the secretion of H2 and CO2 rather than respiration.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Synthetic ligands point to cell surface strategies
Article Abstract:
Ligands have been synthesized that promote the release of L-selectin from the surface of human cells. This release is part of the human inflammatory response. The synthesized molecules contain long chain saccharide epitope backbones. The long chain molecules are thought to multiply bind to L-selectin on the cell surface and release it in a soluble state. This phenomenon was seen when adding the synthesized polymers to human neutrophils. Possible applications for this work include the development of anti-inflammatory agents.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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A hydrogen-producing mitochondrion: Molecular evolution
Article Abstract:
Eukaryotes lurk in dark and damp places and they must product ATP to survive. However there is insufficient oxygen in such places to sustain ATP synthesis as occurs in mitochondria. Akhmanova and colleagues have found a mitochondrion in the ciliate protist Nyctotherus ovalis, which lives in cockroach intestines where it helps in the digestion of cellulose. The mitochondrion excretes hydrogen as a by-product of ATP synthesis, rather than consuming oxygen.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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