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The lanthipeptide biosynthetic clusters of the domain Archaea
Inês Castro1, Hugo Costa1, Israela Turgeman-Grott2
1Department of Biology and CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
Microbiological Research
|October 10, 2021
Summary
Archaea research on secondary metabolites is limited. This study analyzes lanthipeptide clusters in haloarchaea, revealing diverse molecules and distinct biosynthesis, but finds no primary antimicrobial role for these peptides.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Genomics
Background:
- Research on archaeal secondary metabolites lags behind bacteria and eukaryotes.
- Lanthipeptides are a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides with diverse biological activities.
- Archaea are known to possess unique metabolic pathways, yet their secondary metabolome remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lanthipeptide biosynthesis clusters in Archaea, specifically within the Halobacteria class.
- To characterize the phylogeny and domain structures of archaeal lanthipeptide synthetases (LanMs).
- To predict and classify putative lanthipeptide products and associated genes in haloarchaea.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of lanthipeptide synthetase (LanM) genes and their phylogenetic relationships.
- Identification and characterization of conserved motifs in predicted lanthipeptide leader peptides.
- Gene knockout experiments in Haloferax mediterranei to assess the role of LanMs in antimicrobial activity.
Main Results:
- Class II lanthipeptide synthetases (LanMs) were identified exclusively in the class Halobacteria.
- Forty-two LanMs were analyzed, revealing four types, with most belonging to the CCG group.
- Diverse putative lanthipeptides were predicted, sharing a conserved motif, and categorized into subfamilies like Halolancins and Haladacins.
- LanM genes were frequently associated with mobile genetic elements and transporters.
- A knockout mutant of Haloferax mediterranei lacking three lanM genes showed no primary reduction in antimicrobial activity.
Conclusions:
- Haloarchaea possess distinct lanthipeptide biosynthesis machinery, potentially yielding novel peptide structures and functions.
- The identified lanthipeptides in haloarchaea exhibit significant diversity.
- Antimicrobial activity in Haloferax mediterranei is not primarily driven by lanthipeptide production.
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