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Sterol methyltransferases in uncultured bacteria complicate eukaryotic biomarker interpretations.
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2023 Apr 03; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 1859. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Apr 03. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Sterane molecular fossils are broadly interpreted as eukaryotic biomarkers, although diverse bacteria also produce sterols. Steranes with side-chain methylations can act as more specific biomarkers if their sterol precursors are limited to particular eukaryotes and are absent in bacteria. One such sterane, 24-isopropylcholestane, has been attributed to demosponges and potentially represents the earliest evidence for animals on Earth, but enzymes that methylate sterols to give the 24-isopropyl side-chain remain undiscovered. Here, we show that sterol methyltransferases from both sponges and yet-uncultured bacteria function in vitro and identify three methyltransferases from symbiotic bacteria each capable of sequential methylations resulting in the 24-isopropyl sterol side-chain. We demonstrate that bacteria have the genomic capacity to synthesize side-chain alkylated sterols, and that bacterial symbionts may contribute to 24-isopropyl sterol biosynthesis in demosponges. Together, our results suggest bacteria should not be dismissed as potential contributing sources of side-chain alkylated sterane biomarkers in the rock record.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s).)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Methyltransferases genetics
Bacteria genetics
Biomarkers
Sterols
Eukaryota
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37012227
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37552-3