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Rudden M, Herman R, Rose M, Bawdon D, Cox DS, Dodson E, Holden MTG, Wilkinson AJ, James AG, Thomas GH. The molecular basis of thioalcohol production in human body odour. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12500. [PMID: 32719469 PMCID: PMC7385124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Body odour is a characteristic trait of Homo sapiens, however its role in human behaviour and evolution is poorly understood. Remarkably, body odour is linked to the presence of a few species of commensal microbes. Herein we discover a bacterial enzyme, limited to odour-forming staphylococci that are able to cleave odourless precursors of thioalcohols, the most pungent components of body odour. We demonstrated using phylogenetics, biochemistry and structural biology that this cysteine-thiol lyase (C-T lyase) is a PLP-dependent enzyme that moved horizontally into a unique monophyletic group of odour-forming staphylococci about 60 million years ago, and has subsequently tailored its enzymatic function to human-derived thioalcohol precursors. Significantly, transfer of this enzyme alone to non-odour producing staphylococci confers odour production, demonstrating that this C-T lyase is both necessary and sufficient for thioalcohol formation. The structure of the C-T lyase compared to that of other related enzymes reveals how the adaptation to thioalcohol precursors has evolved through changes in the binding site to create a constrained hydrophobic pocket that is selective for branched aliphatic thioalcohol ligands. The ancestral acquisition of this enzyme, and the subsequent evolution of the specificity for thioalcohol precursors implies that body odour production in humans is an ancient process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Rudden
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Reyme Herman
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Matthew Rose
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Daniel Bawdon
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Diana S Cox
- Unilever R&D, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Eleanor Dodson
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | | | - Anthony J Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - A Gordon James
- Unilever R&D, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Gavin H Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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Leyn SA, Suvorova IA, Kholina TD, Sherstneva SS, Novichkov PS, Gelfand MS, Rodionov DA. Comparative genomics of transcriptional regulation of methionine metabolism in Proteobacteria. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113714. [PMID: 25411846 PMCID: PMC4239095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methionine metabolism and uptake genes in Proteobacteria are controlled by a variety of RNA and DNA regulatory systems. We have applied comparative genomics to reconstruct regulons for three known transcription factors, MetJ, MetR, and SahR, and three known riboswitch motifs, SAH, SAM-SAH, and SAM_alpha, in ∼ 200 genomes from 22 taxonomic groups of Proteobacteria. We also identified two novel regulons: a SahR-like transcription factor SamR controlling various methionine biosynthesis genes in the Xanthomonadales group, and a potential RNA regulatory element with terminator-antiterminator mechanism controlling the metX or metZ genes in beta-proteobacteria. For each analyzed regulator we identified the core, taxon-specific and genome-specific regulon members. By analyzing the distribution of these regulators in bacterial genomes and by comparing their regulon contents we elucidated possible evolutionary scenarios for the regulation of the methionine metabolism genes in Proteobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semen A. Leyn
- A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna A. Suvorova
- A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana D. Kholina
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Pavel S. Novichkov
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Mikhail S. Gelfand
- A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A. Rodionov
- A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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James AG, Austin CJ, Cox DS, Taylor D, Calvert R. Microbiological and biochemical origins of human axillary odour. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2012; 83:527-40. [PMID: 23278215 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of malodour on various sites of the human body is caused by the microbial biotransformation of odourless natural secretions into volatile odorous molecules. On the skin surface, distinctive odours emanate, in particular, from the underarm (axilla), where a large and permanent population of microorganisms thrives on secretions from the eccrine, apocrine and sebaceous glands. Traditional culture-based microbiological studies inform us that this resident microbiota consists mainly of Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium. Among the molecular classes that have been implicated in axillary malodour are short- and medium-chain volatile fatty acids, 16-androstene steroids and, most recently, thioalcohols. Most of the available evidence suggests that members of the Corynebacterium genus are the primary causal agents of axillary odour, with the key malodour substrates believed to originate from the apocrine gland. In this article, we examine, in detail, the microbiology and biochemistry of malodour formation on axillary skin, focussing on precursor-product relationships, odour-forming enzymes and metabolic pathways and causal organisms. As well as reviewing the literature, some relevant new data are presented and considered alongside that already available in the public domain to reach an informed view on the current state-of-the-art, as well as future perspectives.
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Barzantny H, Guttmann S, Lässig C, Brune I, Tauch A. Transcriptional control of lipid metabolism by the MarR-like regulator FamR and the global regulator GlxR in the lipophilic axilla isolate Corynebacterium jeikeium K411. Microb Biotechnol 2012; 6:118-30. [PMID: 23163914 PMCID: PMC3917454 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterial fatty acid metabolism has been associated with human body odour, and is therefore discussed as a potential target for the development of new deodorant additives. For this reason, the transcription levels of fad genes associated with lipid metabolism in the axilla isolate Corynebacterium jeikeium were analysed during growth on different lipid sources. The transcription of several fad genes was induced two- to ninefold in the presence of Tween 60, including the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene fadE6. DNA affinity chromatography identified the MarR-like protein FamR as candidate regulator of fadE6. DNA band shift assays and in vivo reporter gene fusions confirmed the direct interaction of FamR with the mapped fadE6 promoter region. Moreover, DNA affinity chromatography and DNA band shift assays detected the binding of GlxR to the promoter regions of fadE6 and famR, revealing a hierarchical control of fadE6 transcription by a feed-forward loop. Binding of GlxR and FamR to additional fad gene regions was demonstrated in vitro by DNA band shift assays, resulting in the co-regulation of fadA, fadD, fadE and fadH genes. These results shed first light on the hierarchical transcriptional control of lipid metabolism in C. jeikeium, a pathway associated with the development of human axillary odour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Barzantny
- Institut für Genomforschung und Systembiologie, Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
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Barzantny H, Schröder J, Strotmeier J, Fredrich E, Brune I, Tauch A. The transcriptional regulatory network of Corynebacterium jeikeium K411 and its interaction with metabolic routes contributing to human body odor formation. J Biotechnol 2012; 159:235-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Schröder J, Maus I, Trost E, Tauch A. Complete genome sequence of Corynebacterium variabile DSM 44702 isolated from the surface of smear-ripened cheeses and insights into cheese ripening and flavor generation. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:545. [PMID: 22053731 PMCID: PMC3219685 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium variabile is part of the complex microflora on the surface of smear-ripened cheeses and contributes to the development of flavor and textural properties during cheese ripening. Still little is known about the metabolic processes and microbial interactions during the production of smear-ripened cheeses. Therefore, the gene repertoire contributing to the lifestyle of the cheese isolate C. variabile DSM 44702 was deduced from the complete genome sequence to get a better understanding of this industrial process. Results The chromosome of C. variabile DSM 44702 is composed of 3, 433, 007 bp and contains 3, 071 protein-coding regions. A comparative analysis of this gene repertoire with that of other corynebacteria detected 1, 534 predicted genes to be specific for the cheese isolate. These genes might contribute to distinct metabolic capabilities of C. variabile, as several of them are associated with metabolic functions in cheese habitats by playing roles in the utilization of alternative carbon and sulphur sources, in amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid degradation. Relevant C. variabile genes confer the capability to catabolize gluconate, lactate, propionate, taurine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid and to utilize external caseins. In addition, C. variabile is equipped with several siderophore biosynthesis gene clusters for iron acquisition and an exceptional repertoire of AraC-regulated iron uptake systems. Moreover, C. variabile can produce acetoin, butanediol, and methanethiol, which are important flavor compounds in smear-ripened cheeses. Conclusions The genome sequence of C. variabile provides detailed insights into the distinct metabolic features of this bacterium, implying a strong adaption to the iron-depleted cheese surface habitat. By combining in silico data obtained from the genome annotation with previous experimental knowledge, occasional observations on genes that are involved in the complex metabolic capacity of C. variabile were integrated into a global view on the lifestyle of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Schröder
- Institut für Genomforschung und Systembiologie, Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstraße 27, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Barzantny H, Brune I, Tauch A. Molecular basis of human body odour formation: insights deduced from corynebacterial genome sequences. Int J Cosmet Sci 2011; 34:2-11. [PMID: 21790661 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00669.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
During the past few decades, there has been an increased interest in the essential role of commensal skin bacteria in human body odour formation. It is now generally accepted that skin bacteria cause body odour by biotransformation of sweat components secreted in the human axillae. Especially, aerobic corynebacteria have been shown to contribute strongly to axillary malodour, whereas other human skin residents seem to have little influence. Analysis of odoriferous sweat components has shown that the major odour-causing substances in human sweat include steroid derivatives, short volatile branched-chain fatty acids and sulphanylalkanols. In this mini-review, we describe the molecular basis of the four most extensively studied routes of human body odour formation, while focusing on the underlying enzymatic processes. Considering the previously reported role of β-oxidation in odour formation, we analysed the genetic repertoire of eight Corynebacterium species concerning fatty acid metabolism. We particularly focused on the metabolic abilities of the lipophilic axillary isolate Corynebacterium jeikeium K411.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Barzantny
- Institut für Genomforschung und Systembiologie, Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstraße 27, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
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