How mitochondrial cristae illuminate the important role of oxygen during eukaryogenesis

Inner membranes of mitochondria are extensively folded, forming cristae. The observed overall correlation between efficient eukaryotic ATP generation and the area of internal mitochondrial inner membranes both in unicellular organisms and metazoan tissues seems to explain why they evolved. However,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioEssays 2024-05, Vol.46 (5), p.e2300193-n/a
Main Author: Speijer, Dave
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism
Animals
ATP
Bacteria
Biological Evolution
Cristae
Electron transport
Electron transport chain
eukaryogenesis
Eukaryota - genetics
Eukaryota - metabolism
Eukaryotic Cells - metabolism
Evolution
Inner membranes
Membranes
Mitochondria
Mitochondria - genetics
Mitochondria - metabolism
Mitochondrial Membranes - metabolism
molecular oxygen
Oxygen - metabolism
Oxygen consumption
ROS
symbiogenesis
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Summary:Inner membranes of mitochondria are extensively folded, forming cristae. The observed overall correlation between efficient eukaryotic ATP generation and the area of internal mitochondrial inner membranes both in unicellular organisms and metazoan tissues seems to explain why they evolved. However, the crucial use of molecular oxygen (O2) as final acceptor of the electron transport chain is still not sufficiently appreciated. O2 was an essential prerequisite for cristae development during early eukaryogenesis and could be the factor allowing cristae retention upon loss of mitochondrial ATP generation. Here I analyze illuminating bacterial and unicellular eukaryotic examples. I also discuss formative influences of intracellular O2 consumption on the evolution of the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). These considerations bring about an explanation for the many genes coming from other organisms than the archaeon and bacterium merging at the start of eukaryogenesis. Mitochondrial cristae formation is normally explained by enhanced ATP generation due to internal membrane expansion. This explanation (though correct) is incomplete. The evolution of cristae is also inherently linked to the use of molecular oxygen. Both aspects lead to superior metabolic efficiency and greater gene retention upon LGT.
ISSN:0265-9247
1521-1878
1521-1878
DOI:10.1002/bies.202300193