Evolution of membrane bioenergetics

P-type ATPases: Many more enigmas left to solve

P-type ATPases constitute a large ancient super-family of primary active pumps that have diverse substrate specificities ranging from H+ to phospholipids. The significance of these enzymes in biology cannot be overstated. They are structurally related, and their catalytic cycles alternate between high- and low-affinity conformations that are induced by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a conserved aspartate residue. In the year 1988, all P-type sequences available by then were analyzed and five major families, P1 to P5, were identified. Since then, a large body of knowledge has accumulated concerning the structure, function, and physiological roles of members of these families, but only one additional family, P6 ATPases, has been identified. However, much is still left to be learned. For each family a few remaining enigmas are presented, with the intention that they will stimulate interest in continued research in the field. The review is by no way comprehensive and merely presents personal views with a focus on evolution.

Neural Tissue Homeostasis and Repair Is Regulated via CS and DS Proteoglycan Motifs

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is the most abundant and widely distributed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the human body. As a component of proteoglycans (PGs) it has numerous roles in matrix stabilization and cellular regulation. This chapter highlights the roles of CS and CS-PGs in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS/PNS). CS has specific cell regulatory roles that control tissue function and homeostasis. The CNS/PNS contains a diverse range of CS-PGs which direct the development of embryonic neural axonal networks, and the responses of neural cell populations in mature tissues to traumatic injury. Following brain trauma and spinal cord injury, a stabilizing CS-PG-rich scar tissue is laid down at the defect site to protect neural tissues, which are amongst the softest tissues of the human body. Unfortunately, the CS concentrated in gliotic scars also inhibits neural outgrowth and functional recovery. CS has well known inhibitory properties over neural behavior, and animal models of CNS/PNS injury have demonstrated that selective degradation of CS using chondroitinase improves neuronal functional recovery. CS-PGs are present diffusely in the CNS but also form denser regions of extracellular matrix termed perineuronal nets which surround neurons. Hyaluronan is immobilized in hyalectan CS-PG aggregates in these perineural structures, which provide neural protection, synapse, and neural plasticity, and have roles in memory and cognitive learning. Despite the generally inhibitory cues delivered by CS-A and CS-C, some CS-PGs containing highly charged CS disaccharides (CS-D, CS-E) or dermatan sulfate (DS) disaccharides that promote neural outgrowth and functional recovery. CS/DS thus has varied cell regulatory properties and structural ECM supportive roles in the CNS/PNS depending on the glycoform present and its location in tissue niches and specific cellular contexts. Studies on the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have provided insightful information on neural interconnectivity and the role of the ECM and its PGs in neural development and in tissue morphogenesis in a whole organism environment.

The CNS/PNS Extracellular Matrix Provides Instructive Guidance Cues to Neural Cells and Neuroregulatory Proteins in Neural Development and Repair

BACKGROUND

The extracellular matrix of the PNS/CNS is unusual in that it is dominated by glycosaminoglycans, especially hyaluronan, whose space filling and hydrating properties make essential contributions to the functional properties of this tissue. Hyaluronan has a relatively simple structure but its space-filling properties ensure micro-compartments are maintained in the brain ultrastructure, ensuring ionic niches and gradients are maintained for optimal cellular function. Hyaluronan has cell-instructive, anti-inflammatory properties and forms macro-molecular aggregates with the lectican CS-proteoglycans, forming dense protective perineuronal net structures that provide neural and synaptic plasticity and support cognitive learning.

AIMS

To highlight the central nervous system/peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) and its diverse extracellular and cell-associated proteoglycans that have cell-instructive properties regulating neural repair processes and functional recovery through interactions with cell adhesive molecules, receptors and neuroregulatory proteins. Despite a general lack of stabilising fibrillar collagenous and elastic structures in the CNS/PNS, a sophisticated dynamic extracellular matrix is nevertheless important in tissue form and function.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides examples of the sophistication of the CNS/PNS extracellular matrix, showing how it maintains homeostasis and regulates neural repair and regeneration.

The Redox architecture of physiological function

The ability of organisms to accommodate variations in metabolic need and environmental conditions is essential for their survival. However, an explanation is lacking as to how the necessary accommodations in response to these challenges are organized and coordinated from (sub)cellular to higher-level physiological functions, especially in mammals. We propose that the chemistry that enables coordination and synchronization of these processes dates to the origins of Life. We offer a conceptual framework based upon the nature of electron exchange (Redox) processes that co-evolved with biological complexification, giving rise to a multi-layered system in which intra/intercellular and inter-organ exchange processes essential to sensing and adaptation stay fully synchronized. Our analysis explains why Redox is both the lingua franca and the mechanism that enable integration by connecting the various elements of regulatory processes. We here define these interactions across levels of organization as the 'Redox Interactome'. This framework provides novel insight into the chemical and biological basis of Redox signalling and may explain the recent convergence of metabolism, bioenergetics, and inflammation as well as the relationship between Redox stress and human disease.

Balanced versus unbalanced salt solutions: what difference does it make?

BACKGROUND

The infusion of crystalloid solutions is a fundamental part of the management of critically ill patients. These solutions are used to maintain the balance of water and essential electrolytes and replace losses when patients have limited gastrointestinal intake. They also act as carriers for intravenous infusion of medication and red cells. The most commonly used solution, 0.9% saline, has equal concentrations of Na(+) and Cl(-) even though the plasma concentration of Na(+) normally is 40 meq/L higher than that of Cl(-). The use of this fluid thus can produce a hyperchloremic acidosis in a dose-dependent manner, but it is not known whether this has clinical significance.

APPROACH

The first part of this article deals with the significance of Na(+) and Cl(-) in normal physiology. This begins with examination of their roles in the regulation of osmolality, acid-base balance, and generation of electrochemical gradients and why the concentration of Cl(-) normally is considerably lower than that of Na(+). The next part deals with how their concentrations are regulated by the gastrointestinal tract and kidney. Based on the physiology, it would seem that solutions in which the concentration of Na(+) is "balanced" by a substance other than Cl(-) would be advantageous. The final part examines the evidence to support that point.

CONCLUSIONS

There are strong observational data that support the notion that avoiding an elevated Cl(-) concentration or using fluids that reduce the rise in Cl(-) reduces renal dysfunction, infections, and possibly even mortality. However, observational studies only can indicate an association and cannot indicate causality. Unfortunately, randomized trials to date are far too limited to address this crucial issue. What is clear is that appropriate randomized trials will require very large populations. It also is not known whether the important variable is the concentration of Cl(-), the difference in concentrations of Na(+) and Cl(-), or the total body mass of Cl(-).

A conserved asparagine in a P-type proton pump is required for efficient gating of protons

The minimal proton pumping machinery of the Arabidopsis thaliana P-type plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase isoform 2 (AHA2) consists of an aspartate residue serving as key proton donor/acceptor (Asp-684) and an arginine residue controlling the pKa of the aspartate. However, other important aspects of the proton transport mechanism such as gating, and the ability to occlude protons, are still unclear. An asparagine residue (Asn-106) in transmembrane segment 2 of AHA2 is conserved in all P-type plasma membrane H(+)-ATPases. In the crystal structure of the plant plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, this residue is located in the putative ligand entrance pathway, in close proximity to the central proton donor/acceptor Asp-684. Substitution of Asn-106 resulted in mutant enzymes with significantly reduced ability to transport protons against a membrane potential. Sensitivity toward orthovanadate was increased when Asn-106 was substituted with an aspartate residue, but decreased in mutants with alanine, lysine, glutamine, or threonine replacement of Asn-106. The apparent proton affinity was decreased for all mutants, most likely due to a perturbation of the local environment of Asp-684. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Asn-106 is important for closure of the proton entrance pathway prior to proton translocation across the membrane.

The Fading Electricity Theory of Ageing: the missing biophysical principle?

Since a few years convincing data are accumulating showing that some of the premises of the master integrative theory of ageing, namely Harman's Reactive Oxygen Species or free radical theory, are less well founded than originally assumed. In addition, none of the about another dozen documented ageing mechanisms seems to hold the final answer as to the ultimate cause and evolutionary significance of ageing. This review raises the question whether, perhaps, something important has been overlooked, namely a biophysical principle, electrical in nature. The first cell on earth started to be alive when its system for generating its own electricity, carried by inorganic ions, became operational. Any cell dies at the very moment that this system irreversibly collapses. In between birth and death, the system is subject to wear and tear because any cell's overall repair system is not 100 percent waterproof; otherwise adaptation would not be an option. The Fading Electricity Theory of Ageing has all necessary properties for acting as a universal major integrative concept. The advent of novel methods will facilitate the study of bioelectrical phenomena with molecular biological methods in combination with optogenetics, thereby offering challenging possibilities for innovative research in evo-gero.

Functional organization of a plant Photosystem I: evolution of a highly efficient photochemical machine

Despite its enormous complexity, a plant Photosystem I (PSI) is arguably the most efficient nano-photochemical machine in Nature. It emerged as a homodimeric structure containing several chlorophyll molecules over 3.5 billion years ago, and has perfected its photoelectric properties ever since. The recently determined structure of plant PSI, which is at the top of the evolutionary tree of this kind of complexes, provided the first relatively high-resolution structural model of the supercomplex containing a reaction center (RC) and a peripheral antenna (LHCI) complexes. The RC is highly homologous to that of the cyanobacterial PSI and maintains the position of most transmembrane helices and chlorophylls during 1.5 years of separate evolution. The LHCI is composed of four nuclear gene products (Lhca1-Lhca4) that are unique among the chlorophyll a/b binding proteins in their pronounced long-wavelength absorbance and their assembly into dimers. In this respect, we describe structural elements, which establish the biological significance of a plant PSI and discuss structural variance from the cyanobacterial version. The present comprehensive structural analysis summarizes our current state of knowledge, providing the first glimpse at the architecture of this highly efficient photochemical machine at the atomic level.

Signaling by the arc two-component system provides a link between the redox state of the quinone pool and gene expression

The Arc two-component system is a complex signal transduction system that plays a key role in regulating energy metabolism at the level of transcription in bacteria. This system comprises the ArcB protein, a tripartite membrane-associated sensor kinase, and the ArcA protein, a typical response regulator. Under anoxic growth conditions, ArcB autophosphorylates and transphosphorylates ArcA, which in turn represses or activates the expression of its target operons. Under aerobic conditions, ArcB acts as a phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of ArcA-P and thereby releasing its transcriptional regulation. The events for Arc signaling, including signal reception and kinase regulation, signal transmission, amplification, as well as signal output and decay are discussed.

An overlooked riddle of life's origins: energy-dependent nucleic acid unzipping

The imposing progress in understanding contemporary life forms on Earth and in manipulating them has not been matched by a comparable progress in understanding the origins of life. This paper argues that a crucial problem of unzipping of the double helix molecule of nucleic acid during its replication has been underrated, if not plainly overlooked, in the theories of life's origin and evolution. A model is presented of how evolution may have solved the problem in its early phase. Similar to several previous models, the model envisages the existence of a protocell, in which osmotic disbalance is being created by accumulation of synthetic products resulting in expansion and division of the protocell. Novel in the model is the presence in the protocell of a double-stranded nucleic acid, with each of its two strands being affixed by its 3'-terminus to the opposite sides of the membrane of a protocell. In the course of the protocell expansion, osmotic force is utilized to pull the two strands longitudinally in opposite directions, unzipping the helix and partitioning the strands between the two daughter protocells. The model is also being used as a background for arguments of why life need operate in cycles. Many formal models of life's origin and evolution have not taken into account the fact that logical possibility does not equal thermodynamic feasibility. A system of self-replication has to consist of both replicators and replicants.

Sodium ion cycle in bacterial pathogens: evidence from cross-genome comparisons

Analysis of the bacterial genome sequences shows that many human and animal pathogens encode primary membrane Na+ pumps, Na+-transporting dicarboxylate decarboxylases or Na+ translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, and a number of Na+ -dependent permeases. This indicates that these bacteria can utilize Na+ as a coupling ion instead of or in addition to the H+ cycle. This capability to use a Na+ cycle might be an important virulence factor for such pathogens as Vibrio cholerae, Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, and Yersinia pestis. In Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Chlamydia pneumoniae, the Na+ gradient may well be the only energy source for secondary transport. A survey of preliminary genome sequences of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Treponema denticola indicates that these oral pathogens also rely on the Na+ cycle for at least part of their energy metabolism. The possible roles of the Na+ cycling in the energy metabolism and pathogenicity of these organisms are reviewed. The recent discovery of an effective natural antibiotic, korormicin, targeted against the Na+ -translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, suggests a potential use of Na+ pumps as drug targets and/or vaccine candidates. The antimicrobial potential of other inhibitors of the Na+ cycle, such as monensin, Li+ and Ag+ ions, and amiloride derivatives, is discussed.

Influence of pH on metabolism and urease activity of Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The metabolic and urease responses of Helicobacter pylori to variations in gastric acidity are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine effects of changes of environmental pH on metabolism, urease activity, and survival of H. pylori in an unbuffered environment.

METHODS

Bacterial metabolism and urease activity were determined by measuring pH changes in perfused microphysiometer chambers over a pH range from 2.5 to 9.0 with or without urea and survival by restoration of metabolism at pH 7.4.

RESULTS

Glucose metabolism by acid-adapted H. pylori occurred at a perfusion pH between 3.5 and 8.6 and was highest between 7.4 and 8.2. Metabolism was irreversibly inhibited at pH <3.5 or >8.6. In the presence of 2.5 mmol/L urea, the chamber pH increased to about 6.2 during perfusion between pH 5.5 and 4.0. At pH 4.0 and below, urease activity increased several-fold without change of chamber pH. Urea in the perfusate enabled retention of metabolism after acid exposure but was toxic at pH 7.4.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic range of acid-adapted H. pylori is between an environmental pH of 3.5 and 8.6. Extracellular pH-regulated internal urease activity allows metabolism in the pH range between 4.0 and 2. 5 by maintaining periplasmic pH at 6.2. The organism is an acid-tolerant neutralophile due to internal urease activity.

The glucose transport system of the hyperthermophilic anaerobic bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana

The glucose transport system of the extremely thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana was studied with the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG). T. neapolitana accumulated 2-DOG against a concentration gradient in an intracellular free sugar pool that was exchangeable with external source of energy, such as pyruvate, and was inhibited by arsenate and gramicidin D. There was no phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of glucose, 2-DOG, or fructose by cell extracts or toluene-treated cells, indicating the absence of a phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system. These data indicate that D-glucose is taken up by T. neapolitana via an active transport system that is energized by an ion gradient generated by ATP, derived from substrate-level phosphorylation.

Evolution of carbohydrate metabolic pathways

Current studies of hyperthermophilic archaea and bacteria, the phylogenetically deepest-rooted and slowest-evolving extant organisms known, are allowing new insights into the nature of presumably ancient metabolic pathways. The apparent common occurrence of modified non-phosphorylated Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathways among saccharolytic archaea and the absence of the conventional Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) mode of glycolysis indicate that the ED pathway is the older route of carbohydrate dissimilation. However, gluconeogenesis via the "reversed" EMP route has been found in archaea. Thus, the EMP pathway was probably an anabolic pathway to begin with; its catabolic role came later, with the evolution of fructose phosphate kinases, using ATP, ADP or pyrophosphate as phosphate donors. Similarly, the presence of reductive reactions of the citric acid cycle in anaerobic archaea and the most deeply rooted bacteria, including autotrophs, indicates that the citric acid cycle was originally a reductive biosynthetic pathway.

Salt tolerance in plants and microorganisms: toxicity targets and defense responses

Salt tolerance of crops could be improved by genetic engineering if basic questions on mechanisms of salt toxicity and defense responses could be solved at the molecular level. Mutant plants accumulating proline and transgenic plants engineered to accumulate mannitol or fructans exhibit improved salt tolerance. A target of salt toxicity has been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: it is a sodium-sensitive nucleotidase involved in sulfate activation and encoded by the HAL2 gene. The major sodium-extrusion system of S. cerevisiae is a P-ATPase encoded by the ENA1 gene. The regulatory system of ENA1 expression includes the protein phosphatase calcineurin and the product of the HAL3 gene. In Escherichia coli, the Na(+)-H+ antiporter encoded by the nhaA gene is essential for salt tolerance. No sodium transport system has been identified at the molecular level in plants. Ion transport at the vacuole is of crucial importance for salt accumulation in this compartment, a conspicuous feature of halophytic plants. The primary sensors of osmotic stress have been identified only in E. coli. In S. cerevisiae, a protein kinase cascade (the HOG pathway) mediates the osmotic induction of many, but not all, stress-responsive genes. In plants, the hormone abscisic acid mediates many stress responses and both a protein phosphatase and a transcription factor (encoded by the ABI1 and ABI3 genes, respectively) participate in its action.

Adaptation of Escherichia coli to redox environments by gene expression

Escherichia coli is adroit in exploiting environmental energy sources to its greatest profit. A key strategy is to channel electron transport from donor to a terminal acceptor(s) so that the voltage drop is maximal. At the level of transcription, the goal is achieved by the interaction of three global regulatory systems, Fnr, NarL/NarX and ArcB/ArcA. In addition, the regulator FhlA is involved in a cascade-controlled pathway for the formate branch of the pyruvate fermentation pathway.

Genetic analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO high-affinity branched-chain amino acid transport system by use of plasmids carrying the bra genes

About 30 mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO defective in the high-affinity branched-chain amino acid transport system (LIV-I) were isolated by the selection for resistance to 4-aza-DL-leucine, a toxic leucine analog for LIV-I. All of the mutants were complemented by plasmid pKTH24, harboring the braC gene, which encodes the branched-chain amino acid-binding protein, and the four open reading frames named braD, braE, braF, and braG (T. Hoshino and K. Kose, J. Bacteriol. 172:5531-5539, 1990). We identified five cistrons corresponding to these bra genes by complementation analysis with various derivatives of pKTH24, confirming that the braD, braE, braF, and braG genes are required for the LIV-I transport system. We also found mutations that seem likely to be mutations in a promoter region for the bra genes and those with polarity in the intercistronic region between braC and braD. Analysis with an omega interposon showed that the bra genes are organized as an operon and are cotranscribed in the order braC-braD-braE-braF-braG from a promoter located in the 5'-flanking region of the braC gene.

Structural studies on three flavin-interacting regions of the flavoprotein subunit of complex II in Ascaris suum mitochondria

The flavoprotein (Fp) subunit of mitochondrial complex II contains covalently bound FAD as a prosthetic group. In this study, the primary structure of the flavin-bound tryptic peptide from the Fp subunit of Ascaris complex II was determined and found to be highly similar to those of the corresponding flavin-binding regions of bovine heart and bacterial Fp subunits. Furthermore, the Ascaris Fp subunit was shown to contain two regions exhibiting striking sequence similarity to the segments that have been predicted to interact noncovalently with the AMP moiety of FAD in bacterial Fp subunits. The conservation of these two regions also in the mitochondrial Fp subunit suggests their functional importance.

Role of Na+ cycle in cell volume regulation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

The mechanism for the extrusion of Na+ from Mycoplasma gallisepticum cells was examined. Na+ efflux from cells was studied by diluting 22Na+-loaded cells into an isoosmotic NaCl solution and measuring the residual 22Na+ in the cells. Uphill 22Na+ efflux was found to be glucose dependent and linear with time over a 60-s period and showed almost the same rate in the pH range of 6.5 to 8.0. 22Na+ efflux was markedly inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD, 10 microM), but not by the proton-conducting ionophores SF6847 (0.5 microM) or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP, 10 microM) over the entire pH range tested. An ammonium diffusion potential and a pH gradient were created by diluting intact cells or sealed membrane vesicles of M. gallisepticum loaded with NH4Cl into a choline chloride solution. The imposed H+ gradient (inside acid) was not affected by the addition of either NaCl or KCl to the medium. Dissipation of the proton motive force by CCCP had no effect on the growth of M. gallisepticum in the pH range of 7.2 to 7.8 in an Na+-rich medium. Additionally, energized M. gallisepticum cells were stable in an isoosmotic NaCl solution, even in the presence of proton conductors, whereas nonenergized cells tended to swell and lyse. These results show that in M. gallisepticum Na+ movement was neither driven nor inhibited by the collapse of the electrochemical gradient of H+, suggesting that in this organism Na+ is extruded by an electrogenic primary Na+ pump rather than by an Na+-H+ exchange system energized by the proton motive force.

Volume regulation in Mycoplasma gallisepticum: evidence that Na+ is extruded via a primary Na+ pump

The primary extrusion of Na+ from Mycoplasma gallisepticum cells was demonstrated by showing that when Na+-loaded cells were incubated with both glucose (10 mM) and the uncoupler SF6847 (0.4 microM), rapid acidification of the cell interior occurred, resulting in the quenching of acridine orange fluorescence. No acidification was obtained with Na+-depleted cells or with cells loaded with either KCl, RbCl, LiCl, or CsCl. Acidification was inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (50 microM) and diethylstilbesterol (50 microM), but not by vanadate (100 microM). By collapsing delta chi with tetraphenylphosphonium (200 microM) or KCl (25 mM), the fluorescence was dequenched. The results are consistent with a delta chi-driven uncoupler-dependent proton gradient generated by an electrogenic ion pump specific for Na+. The ATPase activity of M. gallisepticum membranes was found to be Mg2+ dependent over the entire pH range tested (5.5 to 9.5). Na+ (greater than 10 mM) caused a threefold increase in the ATPase activity at pH 8.5, but had only a small effect at pH 5.5. In an Na+-free medium, the enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 7.0 to 7.5, with a specific activity of 30 +/- 5 mumol of phosphate released per h per mg of membrane protein. In the presence of Na+, the optimum pH was between 8.5 and 9.0, with a specific activity of 52 +/- 6 mumol. The Na+-stimulated ATPase activity at pH 8.5 was much more stable to prolonged storage than the Na+-independent activity. Further evidence that two distinct ATPases exist was obtained by showing that M. gallisepticum membranes possess a 52-kilodalton (kDa) protein that reacts with antibodies raised against the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli ATPase as well as a 68-kDa protein that reacts with the anti-yeast plasma membrane ATPases antibodies. It is postulated that the Na+ -stimulated ATPases functions as the electrogenic Na+ pump.

Properties of a Na+-coupled serine-threonine transport system in Escherichia coli

Based on the following experimental results we conclude that the serine-threonine transport system in Escherichia coli is a Na+-coupled cotransport system. (1) Addition of serine to cell suspensions induced H+ efflux in the presence of Na+. (2) Addition of serine to cell suspensions induced Na+ uptake by cells. (3) Imposition of an artificial electrochemical potential of Na+ in starved cells induced serine uptake. Some of these phenomena were observed when threonine was added instead of serine or inhibited when cells were preincubated with threonine. The Na+/serine (threonine) cotransport system was considerably repressed when cells were grown on a mixture of amino acids. Serine transport in cells grown in the absence of amino acids mixture was stimulated by Na+. The half maximum concentration of Na+ was 21 microM. Sodium ion increased the Vmax of serine transport without affecting the Km.

A view of early cellular evolution

Some recent puzzling data on mitochondria put in question their place on the phylogenetic tree. A hypothesis, the archigenetic hypothesis, is presented, which generally agrees with Woese-Fox's concept of the common origin of eubacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotic hosts. However, for the first time, a case is made for the evolution of mitochondria from the ancient predecessors of pro- and eukaryotes (protobionts), not from eubacteria. Animal, fungal, and plant mitochondria are considered to be endosymbionts derived from independent free-living cells (mitobionts), which, having arisen at different developmental stages of protobionts, retained some of their ancient primitive features of the genetic code and the transcription-translation systems. The molecular-biological, bioenergetic, and paleontological aspects of this new concept of cellular evolution are discussed.

The narL gene product activates the nitrate reductase operon and represses the fumarate reductase and trimethylamine N-oxide reductase operons in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli, which can utilize O2, nitrate, fumarate, or trimethylamine N-oxide (Me3NO) as terminal electron acceptor, preferentially utilizes the one with the highest redox potential. Thus O2 prevents induction of nitrate, fumarate, and Me3NO reductases, and nitrate curtails the induction of fumarate and Me3NO reductases. Under anaerobic conditions the narL gene product, in the presence of nitrate, is known to activate transcription of the narC operon, which encodes nitrate reductase. This study shows that the same product plays a role in the repression by nitrate of the operons (frd and tor) that encode fumarate and Me3NO reductases. In contrast, the anaerobic repression of ethanol dehydrogenase by nitrate does not require the narL product. Expression of narL does not require the fnr gene product, a pleiotropic activator that is required for full expression of narC, frd, and tor.

Primeval cells: possible energy-generating and cell-division mechanisms

It is proposed that the first entity capable of adaptive Darwinian evolution consisted of a liposome vesicle formed of abiotically produced phospholipidlike molecules; a very few informational macromolecules; and some abiogenic, lipid-soluble, organic molecule serving as a symporter for phosphate and protons and as a means of high-energy-bond generation. The genetic material had functions that led to the production of phospholipidlike materials (leading to growth and division of the primitive cells) and of the carrier needed for energy transduction. It is suggested that the most primitive exploitable energy source was the donation of 2H+ + 2e- at the external face of the primitive cell. The electrons were transferred (by metal impurities) to internal sinks of organic material, thus creating, via a deficit, a protonmotive force that could drive both the active transport of phosphate and high-energy-bond formation. This model implies that proton translocation in a closed-membrane system preceded photochemical or electron transport mechanisms and that chemically transferable metabolic energy was needed at a much earlier stage in the development of life than has usually been assumed. It provides a plausible mechanism whereby cell division of the earliest protocells could have been a spontaneous process powered by the internal development of phospholipids. The stimulus for developing this evolutionary sequence was the realization that cellular life was essential if Darwinian "survival of the fittest" was to direct evolution toward adaptation to the external environment.

Transmembrane electron transport and the neutral theory of evolution

Based on the concept of "pairs of basic functional states" the evolution of the first chemiosmotic mechanism of energy conversion is discussed in terms of point mutations, gene duplications and of the neutral theory of evolution. A model for estimating the overall probability of the evolutionary step in question is presented, both for the "selectionist" and "neutralist" position. It is concluded that, concerning the present stage of knowledge, the evolution of transmembrane electron transport is an unsolved problem in evolutionary biology.