A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that the closest living relatives to mitochondria, the “powerhouses of the cell,” may belong to a genus of marine bacteria called Iodidimonas. This finding challenges past investigations that had identified a different genus called Rickettsia as the ancestral link to mitochondria. By analyzing the genomes of Iodidimonas species, researchers hope to gain insights into the ancient genome of protomitochondria, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of eukaryotes. The study also highlights the importance of mitochondria in shaping the last eukaryotic common ancestor and in the development of eukaryotic cells’ biological processes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the fascinating world of protomitochondria.
https://www.aaas.org/news/marine-bacteria-genus-may-hold-mitochondrias-closest-relatives