John P. McCutcheon

A mitochondrion-like ribosome in an insect endosymbiont

This study shows that features of mitochondrial ribosomes, such as host protein acquisition and structural changes, are also present in an ancient insect endosymbiont, suggesting these traits arise from endosymbiont ancestry rather than mitochondrial specificity.

A bacterial endosymbiont with a highly reduced genome forms extensive membrane contact sites with host organelles

The paper identifies extensive membrane contact sites between the mealybug endosymbiont Tremblaya and host mitochondria, suggesting these interactions provide essential membrane and metabolic components.

The transcriptional and translational outcomes for pseudogenes in bacterial endosymbionts

The paper measures transcript and protein abundance in bacterial endosymbionts to understand how they manage pseudogenes, finding that pseudogenes are transcribed but rarely produce proteins, and that tmRNA may target them for degradation.

Expression of four mitochondrial tRNAs from only two loci

The paper identifies mirror tRNA pairs produced from opposite strands of the same locus, demonstrating a novel mechanism for maintaining tRNA diversity in mitochondrial genomes.

Paternal genome elimination creates contrasting evolutionary trajectories in male and female citrus mealybugs

The paper investigates how paternal genome elimination in citrus mealybugs affects molecular evolution, finding faster evolution in female-biased genes and more adaptation in male-biased genes.

Pseudofinder: detection of pseudogenes in prokaryotic genomes

Pseudofinder identifies pseudogenes in prokaryotic genomes, detecting both degraded and newly formed pseudogenes, as well as genes under relaxed selection.

Large differences in carbohydrate degradation and transport potential in the genomes of lichen fungal symbionts

The paper compares carbohydrate-degrading enzyme gene inventories in lichen fungal symbionts and non-symbiont fungi, finding that lichen symbionts retain these genes despite lower numbers, suggesting functional diversity and potential for external carbon sources.

Lichen fungi do not depend on the alga for ATP production

The paper shows lichen fungi retain a nuclear copy of the ATP9 gene, indicating they produce their own ATP despite lacking the mitochondrial version.