Origin of eukaryotic plasmalogen biosynthesis by horizontal gene transfer from myxobacteria
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Plasmalogens, a unique class of membrane lipids defined by a distinctive vinyl ether bond, are critical for human health, with their altered levels linked to various diseases. Despite their importance, their origin and evolutionary history remain enigmatic. Here, we uncover the evolutionary history of the aerobic plasmalogen biosynthesis pathway in eukaryotes, focusing on the four essential enzymes responsible for their formation. Through comprehensive phylogenetic analyses and experimental validation, we demonstrate a significant divide in plasmalogen synthesis capabilities across major eukaryotic lineages. Our study also suggests that the acquisition of these plasmalogen biosynthesis genes by an early eukaryotic ancestor was through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from Myxobacteria. The findings yield insights into how HGT shapes metabolic pathways and illuminate a critical step in the genesis of eukaryotic cell complexity.
Institutions: Universidad de la República de Uruguay, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Universidad de Murcia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, Centro Oceanográfico de Santander, Instituto de Química Física Blas Cabrera, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats
Language: English
Subfield: Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funders: Fundación Séneca, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Universidad de Murcia, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Universidad de la República Uruguay, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Instituto Español de Oceanografía
Awards: G1175115578, G121809054, G148081399, G1598651921, G1622782223, G1855990336, G2262748287, G2309174360, G2551911579, G2660406951, G279363373, G300979063, G322618307, G34346518, G3480869486, G3983476679, G3986277208, G410571670, G425668148, G430777504, G4422286184, G451917667, G5080475149, G5421974903, G5539308778, G5967599077, G6033112984, G6116579717, G6128229643, G6326031618, G7084143925, G7194058084, G7646345632, G8425259180, G8466252977, G8804725585, G897484643, G929308097, G99296377
OpenAlex ID: W7138246832