Peptidoglycan in eukaryotes: Unanswered questions

Abstract

Peptidoglycan has been retained in chloroplasts that have evolved from cyanobacteria along some evolutionary tracks, but has seemingly been quickly eliminated during evolution of others. It has been eliminated in Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta, but has been retained in streptophyte algae, Glaukophyta, and Lycophyta. In this article questions emerging from this are raised, and for some of them answers are suggested.

Keywords: Chloroplasts; D-amino acids; Eukaryote; Peptidoglycan; Plant evolution.