Comparative genomics of molybdenum utilization in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient crucial for enzymes in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolism.
• Mo functions via a prosthetic group, molybdenum cofactor (Moco), at enzyme active sites.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the evolution of Mo metabolism and molybdoproteomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distribution and evolution of Mo utilization across all domains of life.
• To generate a comprehensive map of Moco biosynthesis and molybdoproteins.
• To identify novel proteins and evolutionary trends related to Mo metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of approximately 5900 sequenced organisms.
• Examination of Mo transport systems, Moco biosynthesis pathways, and molybdoproteins.
• Characterization of molybdoproteomes and identification of domain fusions and horizontal gene transfer.

Main Results:

• Most prokaryotes and all higher eukaryotes utilize Mo; many unicellular eukaryotes have lost this ability.
• A detailed global map of Moco biosynthesis and molybdoproteins was generated.
• New molybdoprotein-rich species, novel domain fusions, and horizontal gene transfer events were identified.
• Evolutionary trends in Mo utilization linked to environmental factors were revealed.

Conclusions:

• The study provides significant insights into the evolutionary history of Mo utilization.
• It highlights the dynamic nature of Mo metabolism and its adaptation across diverse life forms.