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Dryad

Massive RNA editing in ascetosporean mitochondria

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Apr 16, 2025 version files 158.33 KB

Abstract

Adenosine-to-inosine(A-to-I) substitution type of RNA editing is mediated by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) and is involved in various essential cellular functions. As ADAR functions in the metazoan nucleus, it may have evolved from adenosine deaminase acting on tRNA in the metazoan ancestor. Although ADAR has not been detected in fungi and early-branching opisthokonts, it has not been explored in other eukaryotic lineages. Here, we detected and analyzed ADAR from two novel rhizarian amoebae and determined that other protists also possess ADAR. This finding indicates that ADAR may have originated from the last common ancestor of eukaryotes (LECA). Furthermore, the ADAR of the rhizarian amoeba is localized in its mitochondria and may be involved in the massive RNA editing in the mitochondria. Such complex RNA editing in the rhizarian amoeba may have a function to mask some lethal mutations in the mitochondrial genomes, which possibly contributes to the acceleration of diversification instead of the increase of future extinction risk.