Vírus gigantes podem ter ajudado a moldar as células que deram origem a animais e plantas

A new study suggests the origin of complex cells, which form animals, plants, and fungi, was a more gradual and collaborative process than previously thought. Instead of a single decisive event between an archaeon and a bacterium, researchers propose a series of microbial "alliances" over billions of years. Giant viruses may have played a role as gene couriers, facilitating exchanges between different microorganisms. This revised understanding challenges the long-held view of a simpler, two-protagonist origin story for eukaryotic cells. The research analyzed genetic data from thousands of genomes to reconstruct the evolutionary history.

This research redefines our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life, potentially altering evolutionary biology and our perception of early cellular development.