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Microbially Derived P=S and P=Se Bond Formation.
Connor L Trotter1, Yuta Era1, Rory Gordon1,2
1Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, U.K.
This study shows bacteria can create phosphorus-sulfur bonds using central sulfur metabolism. This microbial process was also used for phosphorus-selenium bond formation in chemical synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbial biotechnology
- Synthetic biology
- Chemical synthesis
Background:
- Microbial metabolism offers sustainable synthetic reagents, but its direct application in chemical synthesis is limited.
- Existing synthetic biology tools focus on controlling metabolic chemistry, not metabolite utilization for synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microbial phosphorus-sulfur (P=S) bond formation via central sulfur metabolism.
- To explore the application of microbial metabolites for phosphorus-selenium (P=Se) bond formation in chemical synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated P=S bond formation in diverse bacteria using central sulfur metabolism and nonenzymatic chemistry in vivo.
- Applied microbial metabolites for P=Se bond formation in chemical synthesis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that diverse bacteria can perform P=S bond formation (Ph3P to Ph3PS) through their central sulfur metabolism.
- Successfully applied this microbial process for P=Se bond formation (Ph3PSe) in chemical synthesis.
- This represents the first biochemical and genetic study of microbial P=S bond formation.
Conclusions:
- Microbial sulfur metabolism can be harnessed for P=S and P=Se bond formation.
- This work expands the utility of microbial metabolites in chemical synthesis and synthetic biology.
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