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Cited by 116Origins and Evolution of LifeGenomics and Phylogenetic StudiesRNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 86 of the 86 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The Very Early Stages of Biological Evolution and the Nature of the Last Common Ancestor of the Three Major Cell Domains

Becerra, Arturo, Delaye, Luis, Islas, Sara, Lazcano, Antonio·2007·Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
DOI 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.38.091206.095825
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Abstract

Quantitative estimates of the gene complement of the last common ancestor of all extant organisms, that is, the cenancestor, may be hindered by ancient horizontal gene transfer events and polyphyletic gene losses, as well as by biases in genome databases and methodological artifacts. Nevertheless, most reports agree that the last common ancestor resembled extant prokaryotes. A significant number of the highly conserved genes are sequences involved in the synthesis, degradation, and binding of RNA, including transcription and translation. Although the gene complement of the cenancestor includes sequences that may have originated in different epochs, the extraordinary conservation of RNA-related sequences supports the hypothesis that the last common ancestor was an evolutionary outcome of the so-called RNA/protein world. The available evidence suggests that the cenancestor was not a hyperthermophile, but it is currently not possible to assess its ecological niche or its mode of energy acquisition and carbon sources.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.38.091206.095825

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Goto N, 2002, Genome Inform., 13, 443
  2. Kandler O, 1994, Early Life on Earth, Nobel Symp. 84, 152
  3. Moreira D, 2006, Earth Moon Planets, 98, 187

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Metadata

Authors
Becerra, A., Delaye, L., Islas, S., & Lazcano, A.
Affiliations
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
ORCID
Venue
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2007-12-01
Volume
38
Issue
1
Pages
361-379
ISSN
  • 1543-592X (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-2069
DOI
10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.38.091206.095825
OpenAlex
W2117729494
Cited by
115
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 8
FWCI
0.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Virginia
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Keywords
last common ancestor, horizontal gene transfer, gene loss, RNA world, prokaryotes, hyperthermophiles, origin of life

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