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Related Experiment Videos

Sterol phylogenesis and algal evolution.

W D Nes1, R A Norton, F G Crumley

  • 1Plant and Fungal Lipid Research, Plant Physiology Research Unit, Richard B. Russell Research Center, Athens, GA 30613, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|October 1, 1990
PubMed
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Prototheca wickerhamii and Dictyostelium discoideum utilize distinct pathways for sterol synthesis, revealing insights into their evolutionary origins. These findings suggest Prototheca is an alga and Dictyostelium evolved from algal ancestors.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Sterol biosynthesis pathways vary significantly across different microbial groups.
  • Understanding sterol precursors and end products aids in phylogenetic analysis.
  • Fungal-like microorganisms Prototheca wickerhamii and Dictyostelium discoideum present unique sterol profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the stereochemistry of sterol precursors and end products in Prototheca wickerhamii and Dictyostelium discoideum.
  • To investigate the mechanism of C-24 methylation in these organisms.
  • To elucidate the evolutionary relationships of these microbes based on sterol synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Chromatographic techniques including Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Spectral analyses such as Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry (MS), and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR).
  • Isotope-labeled precursor feeding experiments using [2-3H]lanosterol, [2-3H]cycloartenol, [24-3H]lanosterol, and [methyl-2H3]methionine.

    • Main Results:

    • Isolation and identification of multiple sterols, including cycloartenol, ergosterol, and dictyosterol, from both organisms.
    • Demonstration of distinct C-24 alkylation routes: Delta25(27) in Prototheca wickerhamii and Delta24(28) in Dictyostelium discoideum.
    • Stereochemical analysis revealed a conserved beta-oriented C-24 alkyl group in both microbes.

    Conclusions:

    • Prototheca wickerhamii is classified as an apoplastic Chlorella (alga) based on its sterol synthesis pathway.
    • Dictyostelium discoideum and other soil amoebae synthesizing cycloartenol likely evolved from algal ancestors, not fungal ones.
    • Sterol biosynthesis pathways provide valuable markers for microbial phylogenesis and evolutionary history.