Oxygen Tolerance Found in Ancestors of Complex Life

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered evidence that Asgard archaea, close relatives of eukaryotes, can tolerate or utilize oxygen. This discovery may clear the longstanding mystery of how two different microbes combined to form complex life despite differing oxygen requirements. With evolved tolerance to oxygen, these Asgards may have created a partnership with alphaproteobacteria, leading to the development of mitochondria and, ultimately, all plants, animals, and fungi. Research highlights include an extensive genomic analysis, doubling the genetic diversity and enzymatic classes within Asgard archaea, and using AI to predict protein structures linked to oxygen metabolism.