I.J. Bezerra do Ó, T.G. Rego, M.V. José, S.T. de Farias
Published: November 30, 2020
Genet. Mol. Res. 19(4): GMR18699
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr18699

Cite this Article:
I.J.Bezerra do Ó, T.G. Rego, M.V. José, S.T. de Farias (2020). The structural proteome for the primordial glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Genet. Mol. Res. 19(4): GMR18699. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr18699

About the Authors
I.J. Bezerra do Ó, T.G. Rego, M.V. José, S.T. de Farias
Corresponding Author: S.T. de Farias
Email: stfarias@yahoo.com.br

ABSTRACT

Comprehending the constitution of early biological metabolism is indispensable for the understanding of the origin and evolution of life on Earth. Here, we analyzed the structural proteome before the Last Universal Common Ancestor based on the reconstruction of the ancestral sequences and structure of proteins involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. The results are compatible with the notion that the first portions of the proteins were the areas homologous to the present-day catalytic sites. These “proto-proteins” had a simple function: binding to cofactors. Upon the accretion of new elements to the structure, the catalytic function could have emerged. Also, the first structural motifs might have influenced the various types of proteins that are produced in modern organisms.

Key words: LUCA, Metabolic pathways, Origin of life, Protein evolution, tRNA.