Symbiosis: A duplicated host protein controlling a nascent mutualism

Mechanistic studies on how eukaryotes ensure vertical inheritance of beneficial intracellular prokaryotes have focused mostly on highly integrated relationships. A new study by Zakharova, Tashyreva et al. reveals how a duplicated host gene impacts symbiont inheritance in a young mutualism. Mechanistic studies on how eukaryotes ensure vertical inheritance of beneficial intracellular prokaryotes have focused mostly on highly integrated relationships. A new study by Zakharova et al. reveals how a duplicated host gene impacts symbiont inheritance in a young mutualism.