- Viral eukaryogenesis
Viral eukaryogenesis is the
hypothesis that thecell nucleus ofeukaryotic life forms evolved from a largeDNA virus in a form of endosymbiosis within anarchaea cell. It was proposed by Philip Bell in 2001, and gained support as large complex DNA viruses capable ofprotein biosynthesis (such asMimivirus ) have been discovered.A number of precepts in the theory are possible. For instance, a helical virus with a bilipid envelope bears a distinct resemblance to a highly simplified cellular nucleus (ie: a DNA chromosome encapsulated within a lipid membrane). To consider the concept logically, a large DNA virus would take control of a
bacteria l orarchaea l cell. Instead of replicating and destroying the host cell, it would remain within the cell. With the virus in control of the host cell's molecular machinery it would effectively become a "nucleus" of sorts. Through the processes ofmitosis andcytokinesis , the virus would thus hijack the entire cell—an extremely favourable way to ensure its survival.References
* Bell, Philip John Livingstone. "Viral Eukaryogenesis: Was the Ancestor of the Nucleus a Complex DNA Virus?" Journal of Molecular Evolution, Volume 53, Issue 3, Sep 2001, pgs. 251–256
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