Evolutionary conservancy of the endocytic and trafficking machinery in the unicellular eukaryote Paramecium

Biol Cell. 2003 Mar-Apr;95(2):69-74. doi: 10.1016/s0248-4900(03)00012-1.

Abstract

Molecular search for the homologues of the mammalian proteins in the unicellular eukaryote Paramecium involved in endocytosis and membrane trafficking is discussed. We cloned and sequenced the gene fragments encoding the following components participating in endosome formation, sorting and maturation of the proprotein precursors, respectively, dynamin 2, Rab7 and furin. There is a proof that all these genes are expressed in this unicellular organism. The function of the identified immunoanalogues of the above described components of Paramecium endocytic machinery as well as a high degree of sequence homology to the respective human counterparts points to the evolutionary conservancy of these pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dynamin II / genetics
  • Dynamin II / physiology
  • Endocytosis / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Furin / genetics
  • Furin / physiology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Paramecium / genetics*
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rab7 GTP-binding proteins, human
  • Furin
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Dynamin II