Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life

Details Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life

Jun 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004iaus..213..367r&link_type=abstract

Bioastronomy 2002: Life Among the Stars, Proceedings of IAU Symposium #213. Edited by R. Norris, and F. Stootman. San Francisco:

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Vital clues on life's origins within the galaxy exist here on present day Earth. Life is currently divided into the three domains Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya based on the phylogeny of small ribosomal subunit RNA (16S/18S) gene sequences. The domains are presumed to share a ``last universal common ancestor'' (LUCA). Hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea, which are able to thrive at 80^{circ}C or higher, dominate the bottom of the tree of life and are thus suggested to be the least evolved, or most ``ancient''. Geochemical data indicates that life first appeared on Earth approximately 3.8 billion years ago in a hot environment. Due to these considerations, hyperthermophiles represent the most appropriate microorganisms to investigate the origins of metabolism. The central biochemical pathway of gluconeogenesis/glycolysis (the Embden-Meyerhof pathway) which produces six carbon sugars from three carbon compounds is present in all organisms and can provide important hints concerning the early development of metabolism. Significantly, there are a number of striking deviations from the textbook canonical reaction sequence that are found, particularly in hyperthermophilic archaea. In this paper the phylogenetic istribution of enzymes of the pathway is detailed; overall, the distribution pattern provides strong evidence for the pathway to have developed from the bottom-up.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Central Metabolic Pathways of Hyperthermophiles: Important Clues on how Metabolism Gives Rise to Life will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-852328