Molecular Evolution of the Oxygen-Binding Hemerythrin Domain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis during Precambrian times entailed the diversification of strategies minimizing reactive oxygen species-associated damage. Four families of oxygen-carrier proteins (hemoglobin, hemerythrin and the two non-homologous families of arthropodan and molluscan hemocyanins) are known to have evolved independently the capacity to bind oxygen reversibly, providing cells with strategies to cope with the evolutionary pressure of oxygen accumulation. Oxygen-binding hemerythrin was first studied in marine invertebrates but further research has made it clear that it is present in the three domains of life, strongly suggesting that its origin predated the emergence of eukaryotes.

Results

Oxygen-binding hemerythrins are a monophyletic sub-gr

SUBMITTER: Alvarez-Carreno C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4919030 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature