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Area of Science:

  • Biogeochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Evolution

Background:

  • Sterols are vital eukaryotic cell components and geological biomarkers.
  • Bacterial sterol synthesis is known but potentially underestimated.
  • Genomic data suggests broader bacterial sterol production capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent of bacterial sterol production using bioinformatics and lipid analysis.
  • To identify key enzymes and genes involved in bacterial sterol biosynthesis.
  • To explore the evolutionary history and diversity of sterol synthesis in bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of bacterial genomes and metagenomes for sterol biosynthesis genes.
  • Identification of oxidosqualene cyclase (Osc) homologs.
  • Lipidomic analysis of sterol-producing bacteria.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of Osc sequences.

Main Results:

  • Osc identified in 34 bacterial genomes and 176 metagenomes across five phyla.
  • Evidence for sterol synthesis in diverse bacteria, including uncultured groups.
  • Complex evolutionary history of sterol synthesis genes confirmed.
  • Lipid analysis confirmed sterol production but revealed difficulties in predicting final modified sterols.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial sterol synthesis is widespread across diverse environments and organisms.
  • The evolutionary path of sterol synthesis in bacteria is complex.
  • Significant gaps remain in understanding bacterial sterol modification pathways, highlighting novel biochemistry.