TABLE 1.
Eukaryotic characteristics which might be linked to internal ROS formation
| Eukaryotic adaptations possibly linked to mitochondrial ROS formation | Proposed rationale | References |
|---|---|---|
| Peroxisomes | ROS reduction in mitochondria | (24, 64, 69) |
| Enhanced antioxidant mechanisms/iron sequestration | ROS reduction | (62, 70, 71) |
| Meiotic sexa | ROS (intensifying Muller’s ratchet) | (34, 35, 37, 38) |
| Mitochondrial fusion-fission cycles | Mitochondrial repair | (72) |
| Mitochondrial genome reduction | Organellar DNA protection from ROS | (9, 53) |
| Mitochondrial transhydrogenase | Oxidative repair | (62, 73, 74) |
| Autophagy/mitophagy | Mitochondrial repair | (75) |
| Nuclear membranes/histones | ROS (nuclear DNA protection) | (9, 76) |
| Uncoupling proteins, carnitine shuttles | ROS reduction and protection | (77, 78) |
a
Eukaryotic sex has many possible uses, but here we discuss the possible rationale behind its emergence.