Currency, Exchange, and Inheritance in the Evolution of Symbiosis.

Currency, Exchange, and Inheritance in the Evolution of Symbiosis.
Trends Microbiol. 2019 Jun 27;:
Authors: Wein T, Romero Picazo D, Blow F, Woehle C, Jami E, Reusch TBH, Martin WF, Dagan T
Abstract
Symbiotic interactions between eukaryotes and prokaryotes are widespread in nature. Here we offer a conceptual framework to study the evolutionary origins and ecological circumstances of species in beneficial symbiosis. We posit that mutual symbiotic interactions are well described by three elements: a currency, the mechanism of currency exchange, and mechanisms of symbiont inheritance. Each of these elements may be at the origin of symbiosis, with the other elements developing with time. The identity of currency in symbiosis depends on the ecological context of the symbiosis, while the specificity of the exchange mechanism underlies molecular adaptations for the symbiosis. The inheritance regime determines the degree of partner dependency and the symbiosis evolutionary trajectory. Focusing on these three elements, we review examples and open questions in the research on symbiosis.
PMID: 31257129 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Trends in Microbiology - June 26, 2019 Category: Microbiology Authors: Wein T, Romero Picazo D, Blow F, Woehle C, Jami E, Reusch TBH, Martin WF, Dagan T Tags: Trends Microbiol Source Type: research