Japanese researchers find a clue to the evolution of chloroplasts

Rapaza viridis taking in green algae
| YUICHIRO KASHIYAMA / VIA JIJI
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A group of Japanese researchers has confirmed that Rapaza viridis, a single-celled eukaryote, sends proteins derived from its own genes to chloroplasts it takes from green algae to have them conduct photosynthesis.This research outcome provides a clue to unraveling the evolution of chloroplasts, according to the research group, including Fukui University of Technology Prof
Yuichiro Kashiyama and Osaka Metropolitan University lecturer Masami Nakazawa.It is believed that green algae, as well as plants, took cyanobacteria, a prokaryote, into their own cells and transformed it into chloroplasts.Rapaza viridis was discovered in a tide pool on Canada's west coast in 2012
It was initially considered to prey on Tetraselmis, a kind of green algae
However, a study published in 2023 found that Rapaza viridis takes and uses only chloroplasts.While chloroplasts have their own DNA, many of the proteins necessary for photosynthesis are produced and supplied from the genes of green algae and plants.Photosynthesis is conducted in a similar way in Rapaza viridis, according to the research group.These findings have been published in the science journal Nature Communications.

KEYWORDS
environment(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/environment), genetics(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/genetics), algae(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/algae), evolution(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/evolution)
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