Metabolic compatibility and the rarity of prokaryote endosymbioses

The evolution of the mitochondria was a significant event that gave rise to the eukaryotic lineage and most large complex life. Central to the origins of the mitochondria was an endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. Yet, despite the potential benefits that can stem from a prokaryotic endosymbiosis, their modern occurrence is exceptionally rare. While many factors may contribute to their rarity, we lack methods for estimating the extent to which they constrain the appearance of a prokaryotic endosymbiosis. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the role of metabolic compatibility between a prokaryotic host and endosymbiont. We use genome-scale metabolic flux models from three different collections (AGORA, KBase, and CarveMe) to assess the viability, fitness, and evolvability of potential prokaryotic endosymbioses. We find that while more than half of host-endosymbiont pairings are metabolically viable, the resulting endosymbioses have reduced growth rates compared to their ancestral metabolisms and are unlikely to gain mutations to overcome these fitness differences. In spite of these challenges, we do find that they may be more robust in the face of environmental perturbations at least in comparison with the ancestral host metabolism lineages. Our results provide a critical set of null models and expectations for understanding the forces that shape the structure of prokaryotic life.

Automated summary

The evolution of mitochondria was a significant event that led to the emergence of eukaryotic lineage and complex life forms. Although prokaryotic endosymbiosis has potential benefits, it is exceptionally rare in modern times. This study examines the metabolic compatibility between a prokaryotic host and endosymbiont and finds that while many pairings are metabolically viable, the resulting endosymbioses have reduced growth rates and are unlikely to overcome these fitness differences through mutation. However, they may be more robust in the face of environmental perturbations compared to ancestral host metabolism lineages.