Navigation Links
New data challenge old views about evolution of early life
Date:12/23/2012

RIVERSIDE, Calif. A research team led by biogeochemists at the University of California, Riverside has tested a popular hypothesis in paleo-ocean chemistry, and proved it false.

The fossil record indicates that eukaryotes single-celled and multicellular organisms with more complex cellular structures compared to prokaryotes, such as bacteria show limited morphological and functional diversity before 800-600 million years ago. Many researchers attribute the delayed diversification and proliferation of eukaryotes, which culminated in the appearance of complex animals about 600 million years ago, to very low levels of the trace metal zinc in seawater.

As it is for humans, zinc is essential for a wide range of basic cellular processes. Zinc-binding proteins, primarily located in the cell nucleus, are involved in the regulation of gene transcription.

Eukaryotes have increasingly incorporated zinc-binding structures during the last third of their evolutionary history and still employ both early- and late-evolving zinc-binding protein structures. Zinc is, therefore, of particular importance to eukaryotic organisms. And so it is not a stretch to blame the 1-2-billion-year delay in the diversification of eukaryotes on low bioavailability of this trace metal.

But after analyzing marine black shale samples from North America, Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe, ranging in age from 2.7 billion years to 580 million years old, the researchers found that the shales reflect high seawater zinc availability and that zinc concentrations during the Proterozoic (2.5 billion to 542 million years ago) were similar to modern concentrations. Zinc, the researchers posit, was never biolimiting.

Study results appear online Dec. 23 in Nature Geoscience.

"We argu
'/>"/>

Contact: Iqbal Pittalwala
iqbal@ucr.edu
951-827-6050
University of California - Riverside
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Environmental threat map highlights Great Lakes restoration challenges
2. Einstein researchers receive 2 Grand Challenges Explorations grants to combat HIV and TB
3. Big genomics data, big scientific impact: New challenges for further development of life science
4. East Asia faces unique challenges, opportunities for stem cell innovation
5. Increasing drought stress challenges vulnerable hydraulic system of plants, GW professor finds
6. Finalists of air pollution sensor challenge announced
7. UConn receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for research in global health and development
8. Ben-Gurion University team in prestigious DARPA Robotics Challenge to develop disaster response robot
9. Carnegie Institution for Science receives Grand Challenges Explorations grant
10. BRI receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant
11. Surprising demographic shifts in endangered monkey population challenge conservation expectations
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
New data challenge old views about evolution of early life
(Date:5/17/2013)... (May 18, 2013) The AGA Research Foundation announced ... the relationship between the gut microbiota, one of today,s ... disease. , The AGA Research Awards Panel selected ... Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, as ... Dr. Chan will receive $25,000 of funding, commencing in ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... the interaction of a group of proteins in the ... identified a new target that could increase cell survival. ... School of Biochemistry and published in the EMBO ... eventually lead to new therapies for stroke and other ... by the team which identified a protein, known as ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Bethesda, MD The Federation of American Societies for ... of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding trends highlighting ... to support critical research. The FASEB analysis follows a ... Francis Collins, MD, PhD, who testified that the $1.6 ... to sequestration is "having a substantial impact on the ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):New gut microbiome research to explore red meat -- colorectal cancer pathway 2SUMO wrestling cells reveal new protective mechanism target for stroke 2
... 10, 2009)Attempts to treat critical limb ischemia in ... are still thwarted by restenosis (the re-narrowing of ... stenting), the need for repeat treatments and the ... death (gangrene) and amputation. Interventional radiologists have been ...
... Detects Faces in Motion, Matches with Watch-list ... Lithuania, March 9 Neurotechnology, a provider ... the availability of VeriLook Surveillance SDK, a ... using live video streams from high-resolution digital ...
... be tough, but scientists have found a Yellowstone National ... simple one-celled algae called Cyanidioschyzon -- thrives ... occurs naturally around hot springs, said Tim McDermott, professor ... at Montana State University. Cyanidioschyzon could ...
Cached Biology News:Promising 3-year data: Saving limbs with drug-eluting stents 2Promising 3-year data: Saving limbs with drug-eluting stents 3VeriLook Surveillance SDK Provides Real-Time Face Identification Using Video Surveillance Cameras 2VeriLook Surveillance SDK Provides Real-Time Face Identification Using Video Surveillance Cameras 3Montana State team finds Yellowstone alga that detoxifies arsenic 2Montana State team finds Yellowstone alga that detoxifies arsenic 3
(Date:5/21/2013)... Branchburg, NJ (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... enhancement industry, has appointed Dale Braddy to Southeastern USA ... proactively bolster its sales muscle in the Southeast. ... a food ingredient brokerage and supplier to food processors ... past 13 years in the food industry and has ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... As the R&D sector becomes ... the industry to deliver better products, faster. Collaborations ... companies often means turning big ideas into reality, ... collaboration with Sensidose AB and Recipharm, is one ... to market sooner. The partnership resulted in the ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013  Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), ... of serious infectious diseases, announced today that Jeffrey ... Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference on Thursday, May 30, ... the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Mr. Riley is scheduled to present ... of Synthetic Biologics, presentation can be accessed by logging onto ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... NANONEX CORPORATION, a pioneer and leading company ... successful delivery and installation of a new nanoimprint ... major Japanese manufacturing company. , ... lithography tool that has the ability to process ... types. Based on Nanonex inventions and proprietary technologies, ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The Development of an Innovative Microtablet Dosage Form, a Success Story: Live Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2Synthetic Biologics to Present at the 2nd Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference 2Nanonex Announces the Shipment and Installation of an Innovative Nanoimprint Lithography System for Fully Automated Manufacturing 2
... BOULDER, Colo., and IPSWICH, Mass., July 27, ... Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) announce today that they ... whereby SomaLogic will provide specific SOMAmers as ... and future NEB nucleic acid amplification and ...
... July 27, 2011 Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ... and commercializing proprietary products principally for use in the hospital ... ended June 30, 2011 financial results on Wednesday, August 3, ... call and live webcast to discuss the financial results on ...
... Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX ) today ... registration trial of KRX-0401 (perifosine) for the treatment of ... over 430 randomized patients, is being conducted pursuant to ... Drug Administration (FDA) and with Fast-Track Designation.  Perifosine is ...
Cached Biology Technology:Agreement Between SomaLogic and New England Biolabs Enables the Use of SOMAmer Technology for the Optimization of Multiple PCR Products 2Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 2Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 3Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 4Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 5