Origin of phagocytosis in eukaryotic cells

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Eukaryotic cell has been originated by the endosymbiosis of eubacteria forming organelle in an archaebacterial host cell. Though the eukaryotic cells have characteristics unique to eukaryotes, the origin of these unique characteristics has not been elucidated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the origin of the phagocytosis is related to the homolog of cytoskeleton found in archaebacteria. However, phagocytosis has never been found in prokaryotic cells. We have recently observed the characteristics suggesting the possible phagocytosis in cellular structure of an archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum. In this work we have constructed 3D structures of the cells from continuous micrographs of ultrathin sections and analyzed the structure with confocal laser microscope, suggesting the phagocytosis in the archaeon.