Mitochondrial clock: moderating evolution of early eukaryotes in light of the Proterozoic oceans

Abstract

AbstractEvolution of early eukaryotes in the primitive Earth relied heavily on the origin and evolution of mitochondria. Understanding the structure and origin of mitochondria has a germane relation to understanding origin and evolution of eukaryotes. In light of the extreme conditions and the then existing Proterozoic ocean chemistry, eukaryotic cells developed adaptive adjustments for energy management. Apart from mitochondria, more reduced homologues like hydrogenosomes and mitosomes facilitated the metabolic activities of such eukaryotic life. In this short review, I highlight the importance of mitochondria in pushing eukaryotes to the peak of the evolutionary pyramid. Our knowledge has expanded but studying recent eukaryotic extremophiles and mitochondrial genomics in more details will enable us to estimate the position of the mitochondrial clock, understand its role better, and possibly find new eukaryotic lineages.