The energetics of genome complexity

Nature. 2010 Oct 21;467(7318):929-34. doi: 10.1038/nature09486.

Abstract

All complex life is composed of eukaryotic (nucleated) cells. The eukaryotic cell arose from prokaryotes just once in four billion years, and otherwise prokaryotes show no tendency to evolve greater complexity. Why not? Prokaryotic genome size is constrained by bioenergetics. The endosymbiosis that gave rise to mitochondria restructured the distribution of DNA in relation to bioenergetic membranes, permitting a remarkable 200,000-fold expansion in the number of genes expressed. This vast leap in genomic capacity was strictly dependent on mitochondrial power, and prerequisite to eukaryote complexity: the key innovation en route to multicellular life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerobiosis
  • Anaerobiosis
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Size
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Eukaryotic Cells / cytology*
  • Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism*
  • Eukaryotic Cells / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Genome / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Models, Biological*
  • Prokaryotic Cells / cytology*
  • Prokaryotic Cells / metabolism*
  • Prokaryotic Cells / ultrastructure
  • Symbiosis / genetics
  • Symbiosis / physiology