Importance of the TPK Gene Phylogenetic relationships of the Thiamine Biosynthesis Pathway for the study of Plant Evolution

Abstract

Assuming that all organisms and their characteristics come from evolution, it is possible to determine, with comparative analysis, relationships between species. Therefore, studies of comparative and systematic biology classify species to obtain this understanding [1]. The first classifications were based on morphological and environmental characteristics, thus relating ancestors and descendants and determining an order of known plant species [1]. On the other hand, molecular phylogeny is the most accurate way to classify species. There is now a need to define genes that express biological evolution as well as the evolutionary relationship between organisms. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is a coenzyme required by all organisms. The active form, thiamin diphosphate (TDP), is an essential cofactor for enzymes of key metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, acetyl-CoA synthesis, Krebs cycle, alcoholic fermentation, pentose's-phosphate pathway, Calvin cycle, branched chain amino acid pathway and biosynthesis of pigments in photosynthetic organisms [2,3].