The evolution of the cyanobacterial posttranslational clock from a primitive "phoscillator"

J Biol Rhythms. 2009 Jun;24(3):175-82. doi: 10.1177/0748730409333953.

Abstract

Cyanobacteria were among the 1st organisms to evolve on earth. The molecular circadian clock proteins of cyanobacteria and their phylogenetics have recently been elucidated. This allows for a conjecture on the evolution of 1 of the 1st circadian clocks. A scenario has now been created by combining known in vitro and in vivo properties of the 3 clock proteins of cyanobacteria (KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC). This scenario describes the evolution of the cyanobacterial clock in gradual steps: evolving from a masking mechanism, toward an hourglass, into a clock.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Cyanobacteria / classification
  • Cyanobacteria / physiology*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Photoperiod
  • Phylogeny

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KaiA protein, cyanobacteria
  • KaiB protein, cyanobacteria
  • KaiC protein, cyanobacteria
  • Adenosine Triphosphate