A unique flavoenzyme operates in ubiquinone biosynthesis in photosynthesis-related eukaryotes
Jing-Jing Xu, Xiao-Fan Zhang, Yan Jiang, Hang Fan, Jianxu Li, Chenyi Li, Qing Zhao, Lei Yang, Yonghong Hu, Cathie Martin, Xiao‐Ya Chen
Abstract
6-hydroxylase. CoqF evolved early in eukaryotes and became widely distributed in photosynthetic and related organisms ranging from plants, algae, apicomplexans, and euglenids. Independent alternative gene losses in different groups and lateral gene transfer have ramified CoqF across the eukaryotic tree with predominance in green lineages. The exclusive presence of CoqF in Streptophyta hints at an association of the flavoenzyme with photoautotrophy in terrestrial environments. CoqF provides a phylogenetic marker distinguishing eukaryotes and represents a previously unknown target for drug design against parasitic protists.