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Geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase from Methanosarcina mazei: Different role, different evolution
Takuya Ogawa1, Tohru Yoshimura, Hisashi Hemmi
1Department of Applied Molecular Bioscience, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 26, 2010
Summary
The gene for methanophenazine biosynthesis was cloned from Methanosarcina mazei. This enzyme is related to respiratory quinone biosynthesis, not archaeal membrane lipid synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Archaea Research
Background:
- Methanophenazine is a crucial electron carrier for methanogenesis.
- Methanosarcina mazei is a model organism for studying methanogenic archaea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and characterize the gene encoding (all-E) geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase from Methanosarcina mazei.
- To determine the phylogenetic relationship of this enzyme to other prenyl diphosphate synthases.
Main Methods:
- Gene cloning and expression in a heterologous host.
- Enzyme activity assays.
- Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence.
Main Results:
- The gene for (all-E) geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase was successfully cloned and expressed.
- The recombinant enzyme demonstrated activity in methanophenazine biosynthesis.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated a closer relationship to prenyl diphosphate synthases involved in respiratory quinone biosynthesis.
Conclusions:
- The cloned enzyme plays a role in methanophenazine biosynthesis, essential for methanogenesis.
- This enzyme is evolutionarily distinct from those involved in archaeal membrane lipid biosynthesis.
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