Dataset Information

Computational identification of a new SelD-like family that may participate in sulfur metabolism in hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaea.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) are closely related elements that exhibit similar chemical properties. Some genes related to S metabolism are also involved in Se utilization in many organisms. However, the evolutionary relationship between the two utilization traits is unclear. RESULTS: In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the selenophosphate synthetase (SelD) family, a key protein for all known Se utilization traits, in all sequenced archaea. Our search showed a very limited distribution of SelD and Se utilization in this kingdom. Interestingly, a SelD-like protein was detected in two orders of Crenarchaeota: Sulfolobales and Thermoproteales. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that SelD-like protein contains the same domain and conserved functional residues as those of SelD, and might be involved in S metabolism in these S-reducing organisms. Further genome-wide analysis of patterns of gene occurrence in different thermoproteales suggested that several genes, including SirA-like, Prx-like and adenylylsulfate reductase, were strongly related to SelD-like gene. Based on these findings, we proposed a simple model wherein SelD-like may play an important role in the biosynthesis of certain thiophosphate compound. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest novel genes involved in S metabolism in hyperthermophilic S-reducing archaea, and may provide a new window for understanding the complex relationship between Se and S metabolism in archaea.

SUBMITTER: Li GP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4210487 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Computational identification of a new SelD-like family that may participate in sulfur metabolism in hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaea.

Li Gao-Peng GP Jiang Liang L Ni Jia-Zuan JZ Liu Qiong Q Zhang Yan Y

BMC genomics 20141017

<h4>Background</h4>Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) are closely related elements that exhibit similar chemical properties. Some genes related to S metabolism are also involved in Se utilization in many organisms. However, the evolutionary relationship between the two utilization traits is unclear.<h4>Results</h4>In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the selenophosphate synthetase (SelD) family, a key protein for all known Se utilization traits, in all sequenced archaea. Our search sh ...[more]

PMID: 25326317

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Project description:Insights into the Metabolism of Elemental Sulfur by the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus: Characterization of a Coenzyme A-Dependent NAD(P)H Sulfur Oxidoreductase The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, uses carbohydrates as a carbon source and produces acetate, CO2 and H2 as end products. When S° is added to a growing culture, within 10 min the rate of H2 production rapidly decreases and H2S is detected. After one hour cells contain high NADPH- and coenzyme A-dependent S° reduction activity (0.7 units/mg, 85°C) located in the cytoplasm. The enzyme responsible for this activity was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity (specific activity, 100 units/mg) and is termed NAD(P)H elemental sulfur oxidoreductase (NSR). NSR is a homodimeric flavoprotein (Mr 100 kDa) and is encoded by PF1186. This was previously assigned to an enzyme that reduces coenzyme A disulfide, which is a side-reaction of NSR. Whole genome DNA microarray and quantitative PCR analyses showed that the expression of NSR is up-regulated up to 7-fold within 10 min of S° addition. This primary response to S° also involves the up-regulation (> 16-fold) of a 13 gene cluster encoding a membrane-bound oxidoreductase (MBX). MBX is proposed replace the homologous 14 gene cluster that encodes the ferredoxin-oxidizing, H2-evolving membrane-bound hydrogenase (MBH), which is down-regulated >12-fold within 10 min of S° addition. Although an activity for MBX could not be demonstrated, it is proposed to conserve energy by oxidizing ferredoxin and reducing NADP, which is used by NSR to reduce S°. A secondary response to S° is observed 30 min after S° addition and includes the up-regulation of genes encoding proteins involved in amino acid biosynthesis and iron metabolism, as well as two so-called sulfur-induced proteins, termed SipA and SipB. This novel S°-reducing system involving NSR and MBX is so far unique to the heterotrophic Thermococcales, and is in contrast to the cytochrome- and quinone-based S°-reducing system in autotrophic archaea and bacteria. Keywords: time course, kinetic, sulfur metabolism, archaea, Pyrococcus furiosus, hyperthermophile

Dataset Information

Computational identification of a new SelD-like family that may participate in sulfur metabolism in hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaea.

Publications

Computational identification of a new SelD-like family that may participate in sulfur metabolism in hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaea.

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