On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes
The polypeptides encoded by the chloroplast <i>ndh</i> genes and some nuclear genes form the thylakoid NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh) complex, homologous to the mitochondrial complex I. Except for Charophyceae (algae related to higher plants) and a few Prasinophyceae, all eukaryotic algae lack...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/22/12505 |
| _version_ | 1797510030371586048 |
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| author | Bartolomé Sabater |
| author_facet | Bartolomé Sabater |
| author_sort | Bartolomé Sabater |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The polypeptides encoded by the chloroplast <i>ndh</i> genes and some nuclear genes form the thylakoid NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh) complex, homologous to the mitochondrial complex I. Except for Charophyceae (algae related to higher plants) and a few Prasinophyceae, all eukaryotic algae lack <i>ndh</i> genes. Among vascular plants, the <i>ndh</i> genes are absent in epiphytic and in some species scattered among different genera, families, and orders. The recent identification of many plants lacking plastid <i>ndh</i> genes allows comparison on phylogenetic trees and functional investigations of the <i>ndh</i> genes. The <i>ndh</i> genes protect Angiosperms under various terrestrial stresses, maintaining efficient photosynthesis. On the edge of dispensability, <i>ndh</i> genes provide a test for the natural selection of photosynthesis-related genes in evolution. Variable evolutionary environments place Angiosperms without <i>ndh</i> genes at risk of extinction and, probably, most extant ones may have lost <i>ndh</i> genes recently. Therefore, they are evolutionary endpoints in phylogenetic trees. The low number of sequenced plastid DNA and the long lifespan of some Gymnosperms lacking <i>ndh</i> genes challenge models about the role of <i>ndh</i> genes protecting against stress and promoting leaf senescence. Additional DNA sequencing in Gymnosperms and investigations into the molecular mechanisms of their response to stress will provide a unified model of the evolutionary and functional consequences of the lack of <i>ndh</i> genes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:26:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ecdcc56d79b74b7abca8221c9c593e45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:26:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-ecdcc56d79b74b7abca8221c9c593e452023-11-22T23:43:24ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-11-0122221250510.3390/ijms222212505On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> GenesBartolomé Sabater0Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, SpainThe polypeptides encoded by the chloroplast <i>ndh</i> genes and some nuclear genes form the thylakoid NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh) complex, homologous to the mitochondrial complex I. Except for Charophyceae (algae related to higher plants) and a few Prasinophyceae, all eukaryotic algae lack <i>ndh</i> genes. Among vascular plants, the <i>ndh</i> genes are absent in epiphytic and in some species scattered among different genera, families, and orders. The recent identification of many plants lacking plastid <i>ndh</i> genes allows comparison on phylogenetic trees and functional investigations of the <i>ndh</i> genes. The <i>ndh</i> genes protect Angiosperms under various terrestrial stresses, maintaining efficient photosynthesis. On the edge of dispensability, <i>ndh</i> genes provide a test for the natural selection of photosynthesis-related genes in evolution. Variable evolutionary environments place Angiosperms without <i>ndh</i> genes at risk of extinction and, probably, most extant ones may have lost <i>ndh</i> genes recently. Therefore, they are evolutionary endpoints in phylogenetic trees. The low number of sequenced plastid DNA and the long lifespan of some Gymnosperms lacking <i>ndh</i> genes challenge models about the role of <i>ndh</i> genes protecting against stress and promoting leaf senescence. Additional DNA sequencing in Gymnosperms and investigations into the molecular mechanisms of their response to stress will provide a unified model of the evolutionary and functional consequences of the lack of <i>ndh</i> genes.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/22/12505Ndh complexphotosynthesisplant evolutionplastid DNAstress protection |
| spellingShingle | Bartolomé Sabater On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes International Journal of Molecular Sciences Ndh complex photosynthesis plant evolution plastid DNA stress protection |
| title | On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes |
| title_full | On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes |
| title_fullStr | On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes |
| title_short | On the Edge of Dispensability, the Chloroplast <i>ndh</i> Genes |
| title_sort | on the edge of dispensability the chloroplast i ndh i genes |
| topic | Ndh complex photosynthesis plant evolution plastid DNA stress protection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/22/12505 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bartolomesabater ontheedgeofdispensabilitythechloroplastindhigenes |