Abstract
Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of endosymbiosis, particularly the evolution of cryptomonad and the endosymbiosis between cryptomonad and red algae. The cryptomonad engulfs red algae and acquires photosynthetic capacity along with morphological and biochemical evidence. The endosymbiosis between cryptomonad and red algae developed from a predator-prey relationship is described. The studies to validate that cryptomonads and red algae are endosymbiont have been examined. The chapter discusses the close relationship between the nuclear and nucleomorph sequences of red algae and cryptomonad respectively. The conversion of phagotrophic protists to an autotrophic life-style by engulfing and retaining photosynthetic eukaryotes during evolution is also presented. The structures of cryptomonad and nucleomorph are described. Cryptomonads have small organelle called nucleomorph which is the vestigial nucleus of the eukaryotic endosymbiont. Nucleus–like status of nucleomorph is confirmed by the presence of DNA in it. Studies also indicate transcriptionally active ribosomal RNAs present in the nucleomorph. Techniques to isolate the nucleomorph are explained. Details regarding the structure of cryptomonad chloroplast, the periplastidal space for storage and the photosynthetic pigments—phycoerythrin or phycocyanin are explained. The genome reveals circular chromosome with inverted repeats of gene sequences. Nucleomorph DNA encodes ribosomal proteins and housekeeping genes as well as proteins essential to the chloroplast. The pivotal role of nucleomorph in the endosymbiotic relationship is clearly explained.
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