From water to land: evolution of tRNA gene repertoires in photosynthetic organisms.

Terrestrialization in photosynthetic organisms is linked to significant diversification and reorganization of tRNA gene repertoires, including loss of selenocysteine tRNA and structural changes.

• Why it matters: Understanding tRNA gene evolution is crucial because it influences translation efficiency and genome adaptation during major ecological transitions, yet remains understudied in photosynthetic lineages.
• What they did: The study reviews tRNA gene content, structure, and organization across Archaeplastida, analyzing how ecological shifts, genome architecture, and translational needs shape tRNA evolution, with a focus on angiosperms and algae.
• The result: Findings reveal tRNA gene repertoires as key drivers of genome evolution, reflecting ecological adaptation, with implications for understanding translational regulation and genome organization in land plants and algae.