Complete Nucleotide Sequences of the Genes Encoding Translation Elongation Factors 1 and 2 from a microsporidian parasite, Glugea plecoglossi: Implications for the Deepest Branching of Eukaryotes

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Abstract
Complete nucleotide sequences of the genes putatively encoding translation elongation factors 1α (EF-la) and 2 (EF-2) from a mitochondrion-lacking protozoan, Glugea pieco giossi, that belongs to microsporidians were determined. The deduced amino acid sequeneces of the putative EF-lα and EF-2 of Gl. plecoglossi showed very unusual features compared with typical eukaryotic sequences. The degree of divergence was especially great in the EF-lα sequence, although it clearly showed a eukaryotic feature when aligned with homologs from the three primary kingdoms. Phylogenetic analyses of EF-lα and EF-2 on the basis of the maximum likelihood method of protein phylogeny clearly and consistently suggested that among eukaryotic species being analyzed, Gl. plecoglossi and another mitochondrion-lacking protozoan, Giardia lamblia, respectively represent the earliest and the second earliest offshoots of eukaryotes. When the EF-α and EF-2 phylogenies were totally evaluated, the earliest divergence of Gl. plecoglossi in eukaryotes became more clearly confirmed. If the phylogenetic relationships inferred from the present analysis are correct, microsporidians might be extremely ancient eukaryotes that diverged before the occurrence of mitochondrial symbiosis.

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