Kvp. Nagashima et al., HORIZONTAL TRANSFER OF GENES-CODING FOR THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC REACTION CENTERS OF PURPLE BACTERIA, Journal of molecular evolution, 45(2), 1997, pp. 131-136
Phylogenetic trees were drawn and analyzed based on the nucleotide seq
uences of the 1.5-kb gene fragment coding for the L and M subunits of
the photochemical reaction center of various purple photosynthetic bac
teria. These trees are mostly consistent with phylogenetic trees based
on 16S rRNA and soluble cytochrome c, but differ in some significant
details. This inconsistency implies horizontal transfer of the genes t
hat code for the photosynthetic apparatus in purple bacteria. Possibil
ities of similar transfers of photosynthesis genes during the evolutio
n of photosynthesis are discussed especially for the establishment of
oxygenic photosynthesis.