Cells' powerhouses were once energy parasites: Study upends current theories of how mitochondria began

"Cells' powerhouses were once energy parasites: Study upends current theories of how mitochondria began"

Source: University of Virginia

Published: October 16, 2014

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141016165955.htm

A new study was done by the University of Virginia, that used DNA sequencing technologies to decode the genomes of 18 bacteria (which are known to be close relatives of mitochondria). This study introduces a new theory on how mitochondria originated. It is said that mitochondria began to form from bacteria two billion years ago, and scientists have been continuously trying to find out how it started. Before this theory was introduced, people believed that mitochondria began from a mutualistic symbiosis between a bacteria cell and its host, and later the bacterial cells were "swallowed up." This new study says that the relationship was in fact, not mutualistic but instead it was an antagonistic relationship. This meant that at first the bacteria was parasitic but it later became beneficial to the host by "switching the direction of the ATP transport." Contrary to what mitochondria does in our cells today, this new study says that those many years ago the mitochondria would have "stolen" energy (in the form of ATP) from its host. 

This new study relates directly to our study on the structure of cells. We know that mitochondria provides our cells and the cells of many other organisms with energy. Without mitochondria the biodiversity of our world would not even compare to what it is now, and making insightful theories will only further our knowledge on the subject matter.