Fig. 5: Schematic representation of the evolution of the MCU complex in eukaryotes.

Changes in the composition of the uniporter complex are shown in the respective taxonomic levels. The MCU–MICU complex emerges at the origin of eukaryotes, followed by the addition of EMRE in opisthokonts. MCUP is only found in Holomycota. Losses of MCU in the various eukaryotic lineages are indicated in red and the loss of MCUP in Holozoa in purple. The color code is the same as in Fig. 1, and the taxonomic tree structure and silhouette images of the different taxonomic groups are as in Fig. 3a.