1
|
Yoshida R, Motoyama K, Ito T, Hemmi H. Effects of producing high levels of hyperthermophile-specific C 25,C 25-archaeal membrane lipids in Escherichia coli. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 729:150349. [PMID: 38972140 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
A hyperthermophilic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix, synthesizes C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids, or extended archaeal membrane lipids, which contain two C25 isoprenoid chains that are linked to glycerol-1-phosphate via ether bonds and are longer than the usual C20,C20-archaeal membrane lipids. The C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids are believed to allow the archaeon to survive under harsh conditions, because they are able to form lipid membranes that are impermeable at temperatures approaching the boiling point. The effect that C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids exert on living cells, however, remains unproven along with an explanation for why the hyperthermophilic archaeon synthesizes these specific lipids instead of the more common C20,C20-archaeal lipids or double-headed tetraether lipids. To shed light on the effects that these hyperthermophile-specific membrane lipids exert on living cells, we have constructed an E. coli strain that produces C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids. However, a resultant low level of productivity would not allow us to assess the effects of their production in E. coli cells. Herein, we report an enhancement of the productivity of C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids in engineered E. coli strains via the introduction of metabolic pathways such as an artificial isoprenol utilization pathway where the precursors of isoprenoids are synthesized via a two-step phosphorylation of prenol and isoprenol supplemented to a growth medium. In the strain with the highest titer, a major component of C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids reached ∼11 % of total lipids of E. coli. It is noteworthy that the high production of the extended archaeal lipids did not significantly affect the growth of the bacterial cells. The permeability of the cell membrane of the strain became slightly lower in the presence of the exogenous membrane lipids with longer hydrocarbon chains, which demonstrated the possibility to enhance bacterial cell membranes by the hyperthermophile-specific lipids, along with the surprising robustness of the E. coli cell membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-8601, Japan
| | - Kento Motoyama
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-8601, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Ito
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-8601, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hemmi
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-8601, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Forterre P. The Last Universal Common Ancestor of Ribosome-Encoding Organisms: Portrait of LUCA. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:550-583. [PMID: 39158619 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
The existence of LUCA in the distant past is the logical consequence of the binary mechanism of cell division. The biosphere in which LUCA and contemporaries were living was the product of a long cellular evolution from the origin of life to the second age of the RNA world. A parsimonious scenario suggests that the molecular fabric of LUCA was much simpler than those of modern organisms, explaining why the evolutionary tempo was faster at the time of LUCA than it was during the diversification of the three domains. Although LUCA was possibly equipped with a RNA genome and most likely lacked an ATP synthase, it was already able to perform basic metabolic functions and to produce efficient proteins. However, the proteome of LUCA and its inferred metabolism remains to be correctly explored by in-depth phylogenomic analyses and updated datasets. LUCA was probably a mesophile or a moderate thermophile since phylogenetic analyses indicate that it lacked reverse gyrase, an enzyme systematically present in all hyperthermophiles. The debate about the position of Eukarya in the tree of life, either sister group to Archaea or descendants of Archaea, has important implications to draw the portrait of LUCA. In the second alternative, one can a priori exclude the presence of specific eukaryotic features in LUCA. In contrast, if Archaea and Eukarya are sister group, some eukaryotic features, such as the spliceosome, might have been present in LUCA and later lost in Archaea and Bacteria. The nature of the LUCA virome is another matter of debate. I suggest here that DNA viruses only originated during the diversification of the three domains from an RNA-based LUCA to explain the odd distribution pattern of DNA viruses in the tree of life.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bocková J, Jones NC, Hoffmann SV, Meinert C. The astrochemical evolutionary traits of phospholipid membrane homochirality. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:652-664. [PMID: 39025922 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00627-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is crucial for the evolution of life. Present-day phospholipid membranes exhibit a high level of complexity and species-dependent homochirality, the so-called lipid divide. It is possible that less stable, yet more dynamic systems, promoting out-of-equilibrium environments, facilitated the evolution of life at its early stages. The composition of the preceding primitive membranes and the evolutionary route towards complexity and homochirality remain unexplained. Organics-rich carbonaceous chondrites are evidence of the ample diversity of interstellar chemistry, which may have enriched the prebiotic milieu on early Earth. This Review evaluates the detections of simple amphiphiles - likely ancestors of membrane phospholipids - in extraterrestrial samples and analogues, along with potential pathways to form primitive compartments on primeval Earth. The chiroptical properties of the chiral backbones of phospholipids provide a guide for future investigations into the origins of phospholipid membrane homochirality. We highlight a plausible common pathway towards homochirality of lipids, amino acids, and sugars starting from enantioenriched monomers. Finally, given their high recalcitrance and resistance to degradation, lipids are among the best candidate biomarkers in exobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Bocková
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Nykola C Jones
- ISA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren V Hoffmann
- ISA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hoekzema M, Jiang J, Driessen AJM. Optimizing Archaeal Lipid Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2470-2479. [PMID: 39096298 PMCID: PMC11334171 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Membrane lipid chemistry is remarkably different in archaea compared with bacteria and eukaryotes. In the evolutionary context, this is also termed the lipid divide and is reflected by distinct biosynthetic pathways. Contemporary organisms have almost without exception only one type of membrane lipid. During early membrane evolution, mixed membrane stages likely occurred, and it was hypothesized that the instability of such mixtures was the driving force for the lipid divide. To examine the compatibility between archaeal and bacterial lipids, the bacterium Escherichia coli has been engineered to contain both types of lipids with varying success. Only limited production of archaeal lipid archaetidylethanolamine was achieved. Here, we substantially increased its production in E. coli by overexpression of an archaeal phosphatidylserine synthase needed for ethanolamine headgroup attachment. Furthermore, we introduced a synthetic isoprenoid utilization pathway to increase the supply of isopentenyl-diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. This improved archaeal lipid production substantially. The archaeal phospholipids also served as a substrate for the E. coli cardiolipin synthase, resulting in archaeal and novel hybrid archaeal/bacterial cardiolipin species not seen in living organisms before. Growth of the E. coli strain with the mixed membrane shows an enhanced sensitivity to the inhibitor of fatty acid biosynthesis, cerulenin, indicating a critical dependence of the engineered E. coli strain on its native phospholipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirthe Hoekzema
- Department of Molecular Microbiology,
Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jiayi Jiang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology,
Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Arnold J. M. Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology,
Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rahn HP, Sun J, Li Z, Waymouth RM, Levy R, Wender PA. Isoprenoid CARTs: In Vitro and In Vivo mRNA Delivery by Charge-Altering Releasable Transporters Functionalized with Archaea-inspired Branched Lipids. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:4305-4316. [PMID: 38814265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The delivery of oligonucleotides across biological barriers is a challenge of unsurpassed significance at the interface of materials science and medicine, with emerging clinical utility in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations, immunotherapies, genome editing, and cell rejuvenation. Here, we address the role of readily available branched lipids in the design, synthesis, and evaluation of isoprenoid charge-altering releasable transporters (CARTs), a pH-responsive oligomeric nanoparticle delivery system for RNA. Systematic variation of the lipid block reveals an emergent relationship between the lipid block and the neutralization kinetics of the polycationic block. Unexpectedly, iA21A11, a CART with the smallest lipid side chain, isoamyl-, was identified as the lead isoprenoid CART for the in vitro transfection of immortalized lymphoblastic cell lines. When administered intramuscularly in a murine model, iA21A11-mRNA complexes induce higher protein expression levels than our previous lead CART, ONA. Isoprenoid CARTs represent a new delivery platform for RNA vaccines and other polyanion-based therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harrison P Rahn
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jiuzhi Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zhijian Li
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Robert M Waymouth
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ronald Levy
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Paul A Wender
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rao A, Driessen AJM. Unraveling the multiplicity of geranylgeranyl reductases in Archaea: potential roles in saturation of terpenoids. Extremophiles 2024; 28:14. [PMID: 38280122 PMCID: PMC10821996 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-023-01330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The enzymology of the key steps in the archaeal phospholipid biosynthetic pathway has been elucidated in recent years. In contrast, the complete biosynthetic pathways for proposed membrane regulators consisting of polyterpenes, such as carotenoids, respiratory quinones, and polyprenols remain unknown. Notably, the multiplicity of geranylgeranyl reductases (GGRs) in archaeal genomes has been correlated with the saturation of polyterpenes. Although GGRs, which are responsible for saturation of the isoprene chains of phospholipids, have been identified and studied in detail, there is little information regarding the structure and function of the paralogs. Here, we discuss the diversity of archaeal membrane-associated polyterpenes which is correlated with the genomic loci, structural and sequence-based analyses of GGR paralogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alka Rao
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Baum B, Spang A. On the origin of the nucleus: a hypothesis. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0018621. [PMID: 38018971 PMCID: PMC10732040 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00186-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYIn this hypothesis article, we explore the origin of the eukaryotic nucleus. In doing so, we first look afresh at the nature of this defining feature of the eukaryotic cell and its core functions-emphasizing the utility of seeing the eukaryotic nucleoplasm and cytoplasm as distinct regions of a common compartment. We then discuss recent progress in understanding the evolution of the eukaryotic cell from archaeal and bacterial ancestors, focusing on phylogenetic and experimental data which have revealed that many eukaryotic machines with nuclear activities have archaeal counterparts. In addition, we review the literature describing the cell biology of representatives of the TACK and Asgardarchaeaota - the closest known living archaeal relatives of eukaryotes. Finally, bringing these strands together, we propose a model for the archaeal origin of the nucleus that explains much of the current data, including predictions that can be used to put the model to the test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Buzz Baum
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Spang
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
- Department of Evolutionary & Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Řezanka T, Kyselová L, Murphy DJ. Archaeal lipids. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 91:101237. [PMID: 37236370 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The major archaeal membrane glycerolipids are distinguished from those of bacteria and eukaryotes by the contrasting stereochemistry of their glycerol backbones, and by the use of ether-linked isoprenoid-based alkyl chains rather than ester-linked fatty acyl chains for their hydrophobic moieties. These fascinating compounds play important roles in the extremophile lifestyles of many species, but are also present in the growing numbers of recently discovered mesophilic archaea. The past decade has witnessed significant advances in our understanding of archaea in general and their lipids in particular. Much of the new information has come from the ability to screen large microbial populations via environmental metagenomics, which has revolutionised our understanding of the extent of archaeal biodiversity that is coupled with a strict conservation of their membrane lipid compositions. Significant additional progress has come from new culturing and analytical techniques that are gradually enabling archaeal physiology and biochemistry to be studied in real time. These studies are beginning to shed light on the much-discussed and still-controversial process of eukaryogenesis, which probably involved both bacterial and archaeal progenitors. Puzzlingly, although eukaryotes retain many attributes of their putative archaeal ancestors, their lipid compositions only reflect their bacterial progenitors. Finally, elucidation of archaeal lipids and their metabolic pathways have revealed potentially interesting applications that have opened up new frontiers for biotechnological exploitation of these organisms. This review is concerned with the analysis, structure, function, evolution and biotechnology of archaeal lipids and their associated metabolic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Řezanka
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kyselová
- Research Institute of Brewing and Malting, Lípová 511, 120 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Denis J Murphy
- School of Applied Sciences, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
López-García P, Moreira D. The symbiotic origin of the eukaryotic cell. C R Biol 2023; 346:55-73. [PMID: 37254790 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryogenesis represented a major evolutionary transition that led to the emergence of complex cells from simpler ancestors. For several decades, the most accepted scenario involved the evolution of an independent lineage of proto-eukaryotes endowed with an endomembrane system, including a nuclear compartment, a developed cytoskeleton and phagocytosis, which engulfed the alphaproteobacterial ancestor of mitochondria. However, the recent discovery by metagenomic and cultural approaches of Asgard archaea, which harbour many genes in common with eukaryotes and are their closest relatives in phylogenomic trees, rather supports scenarios based on the symbiosis of one Asgard-like archaeon and one or more bacteria at the origin of the eukaryotic cell. Here, we review the recent discoveries that led to this conceptual shift, briefly evoking current models of eukaryogenesis and the challenges ahead to discriminate between them and to establish a detailed, plausible scenario that accounts for the evolution of eukaryotic traits from those of their prokaryotic ancestors.
Collapse
|
10
|
Jin Z, Vighi A, Dong Y, Bureau JA, Ignea C. Engineering membrane architecture for biotechnological applications. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 64:108118. [PMID: 36773706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Cellular membranes, predominantly described as a dynamic bilayer, are composed of different lipids, transmembrane proteins, and carbohydrates. Most research on biological membranes focuses on the identification, characterization, and mechanistic aspects of their different components. These studies provide a fundamental understanding of membrane structure, function, and dynamics, establishing a basis for the development of membrane engineering strategies. To date, approaches in this field concentrate on membrane adaptation to harsh conditions during industrial fermentation, which can be caused by temperature, osmotic, or organic solvent stress. With advances in the field of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, recent breakthroughs include proof of concept microbial production of essential medicines, such as cannabinoids and vinblastine. However, long pathways, low yields, and host adaptation continue to pose challenges to the efficient scale up production of many important compounds. The lipid bilayer is profoundly linked to the activity of heterologous membrane-bound enzymes and transport of metabolites. Therefore, strategies for improving enzyme performance, facilitating pathway reconstruction, and enabling storage of products to increase the yields directly involve cellular membranes. At the forefront of membrane engineering research are re-emerging approaches in lipid research and synthetic biology that manipulate membrane size and composition and target lipid profiles across species. This review summarizes engineering strategies applied to cellular membranes and discusses the challenges and future perspectives, particularly with regards to their applications in host engineering and bioproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zimo Jin
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Asia Vighi
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Yueming Dong
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
| | | | - Codruta Ignea
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang D, Xiao Q, Rahimzadeh M, Liu M, Rodriguez-Emmenegger C, Miyazaki Y, Shinoda W, Percec V. Self-Assembly of Glycerol-Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers Amplifies and Indicates Principles for the Selection of Stereochemistry by Biological Membranes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4311-4323. [PMID: 36749951 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The principles for the selection of the stereochemistry of phospholipids of biological membranes remain unclear and continue to be debated. Therefore, any new experiments on this topic may help progress in this field. To address this question, three libraries of constitutional isomeric glycerol-amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (JDs) with nonsymmetric homochiral, racemic, and symmetric achiral branching points were synthesized by an orthogonal-modular-convergent methodology. These JDs amplify self-assembly, and therefore, monodisperse vesicles known as dendrimersomes (DSs) with predictable dimensions programmed by JD concentration were assembled by rapid injection of their ethanol solution into water. DSs of homochiral JD enantiomers, racemic, including mixtures of different enantiomers, and achiral exhibited similar DS size-concentration dependence. However, the number of bilayers of DSs assembled from homochiral, achiral, and racemic JDs determined by cryo-TEM were different. Statistical analysis of the number of bilayers and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that homochiral JDs formed predominantly unilamellar DSs. Symmetric achiral JDs assembled only unilamellar DSs while racemic JDs favored multilamellar DSs. Since cell membranes are unilamellar, these results indicate a new rationale for nonsymmetric homochiral vs racemic selection. Simultaneously, these experiments imply that the symmetric achiral lipids forming more stable membrane, probably had been the preferable assemblies of prebiotic cell membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Zhang
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Qi Xiao
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
- Institute of Computational Molecular Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Mehrnoush Rahimzadeh
- DWI─Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Matthew Liu
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Cesar Rodriguez-Emmenegger
- DWI─Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Yusuke Miyazaki
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Wataru Shinoda
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Virgil Percec
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang J, Li T, Hong Z, Ma C, Fang X, Zheng F, Teng W, Zhang C, Si T. Biosynthesis of Hybrid Neutral Lipids with Archaeal and Eukaryotic Characteristics in Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202214344. [PMID: 36424352 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202214344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Discovery of the Asgard superphylum of archaea provides new evidence supporting the two-domain model of life: eukaryotes originated from an Asgard-related archaeon that engulfed a bacterial endosymbiont. However, how eukaryotes acquired bacterial-like membrane lipids with a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) backbone instead of the archaeal-like sn-glycerol-1-phosphate (G1P) backbone remains unknown. In this study, we reconstituted archaeal lipid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expressing unsaturated archaeol-synthesizing enzymes. Using Golden Gate cloning for pathway assembly, modular gene replacement was performed, revealing the potential biosynthesis of both G1P- and G3P-based unsaturated archaeol by uncultured Asgard archaea. Unexpectedly, hybrid neutral lipids containing both archaeal isoprenoids and eukaryotic fatty acids were observed in recombinant S. cerevisiae. The ability of yeast and archaeal diacylglycerol acyltransferases to synthesize such hybrid lipids was demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tuo Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhilai Hong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chenfei Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaoting Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fengfeng Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wenkai Teng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chuanlun Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tong Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 XueYuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Xili, NanShan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Self-assembly and biophysical properties of archaeal lipids. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:571-582. [PMID: 36377774 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Archaea constitute one of the three fundamental domains of life. Archaea possess unique lipids in their cell membranes which distinguish them from bacteria and eukaryotes. This difference in lipid composition is referred to as 'Lipid Divide' and its origins remain elusive. Chemical inertness and the highly branched nature of the archaeal lipids afford the membranes stability against extremes of temperature, pH, and salinity. Based on the molecular architecture, archaeal polar lipids are of two types - monopolar and bipolar. Both monopolar and bipolar lipids have been shown to form vesicles and other well-defined membrane architectures. Bipolar archaeal lipids are among the most unique lipids found in nature because of their membrane-spanning nature and mechanical stability. The majority of the self-assembly studies on archaeal lipids have been carried out using crude polar lipid extracts or molecular mimics. The complexity of the archaeal lipids makes them challenging to synthesize chemically, and as a result, studies on pure lipids are few. There is an ongoing effort to develop simplified routes to synthesize complex archaeal lipids to facilitate diverse biophysical studies and pharmaceutical applications. Investigation on archaeal lipids may help us understand how life survives in extreme conditions and therefore unlock some of the mysteries surrounding the origins of cellular life.
Collapse
|
14
|
de Kok NAW, Driessen AJM. The catalytic and structural basis of archaeal glycerophospholipid biosynthesis. Extremophiles 2022; 26:29. [PMID: 35976526 PMCID: PMC9385802 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01277-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Archaeal glycerophospholipids are the main constituents of the cytoplasmic membrane in the archaeal domain of life and fundamentally differ in chemical composition compared to bacterial phospholipids. They consist of isoprenyl chains ether-bonded to glycerol-1-phosphate. In contrast, bacterial glycerophospholipids are composed of fatty acyl chains ester-bonded to glycerol-3-phosphate. This largely domain-distinguishing feature has been termed the “lipid-divide”. The chemical composition of archaeal membranes contributes to the ability of archaea to survive and thrive in extreme environments. However, ether-bonded glycerophospholipids are not only limited to extremophiles and found also in mesophilic archaea. Resolving the structural basis of glycerophospholipid biosynthesis is a key objective to provide insights in the early evolution of membrane formation and to deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of extremophilicity. Many of the glycerophospholipid enzymes are either integral membrane proteins or membrane-associated, and hence are intrinsically difficult to study structurally. However, in recent years, the crystal structures of several key enzymes have been solved, while unresolved enzymatic steps in the archaeal glycerophospholipid biosynthetic pathway have been clarified providing further insights in the lipid-divide and the evolution of early life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niels A W de Kok
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bongaerts N, Edoo Z, Abukar AA, Song X, Sosa-Carrillo S, Haggenmueller S, Savigny J, Gontier S, Lindner AB, Wintermute EH. Low-cost anti-mycobacterial drug discovery using engineered E. coli. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3905. [PMID: 35798732 PMCID: PMC9262897 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-cell screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) inhibitors is complicated by the pathogen's slow growth and biocontainment requirements. Here we present a synthetic biology framework for assaying Mtb drug targets in engineered E. coli. We construct Target Essential Surrogate E. coli (TESEC) in which an essential metabolic enzyme is deleted and replaced with an Mtb-derived functional analog, linking bacterial growth to the activity of the target enzyme. High throughput screening of a TESEC model for Mtb alanine racemase (Alr) revealed benazepril as a targeted inhibitor, a result validated in whole-cell Mtb. In vitro biochemical assays indicated a noncompetitive mechanism unlike that of clinical Alr inhibitors. We establish the scalability of TESEC for drug discovery by characterizing TESEC strains for four additional targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Bongaerts
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Zainab Edoo
- Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), Paris, France
| | - Ayan A Abukar
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Xiaohu Song
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Sebastián Sosa-Carrillo
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Inria de Paris, Université Paris Cité, InBio, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Haggenmueller
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Juline Savigny
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Gontier
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France
- CRI, Paris, France
| | - Ariel B Lindner
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France.
- CRI, Paris, France.
| | - Edwin H Wintermute
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, System Engineering and Evolution Dynamics, Paris, France.
- CRI, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Palyzová A, Guschina IA, Řezanka T. Chiral analysis of glycerol phosphates - can bacteria biosynthesize heterochiral phospholipid membranes? J Chromatogr A 2022; 1676:463267. [PMID: 35767906 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylglycerol (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-glycerol) (PG) is one of the most abundant lipids in bacteria. However, the chirality of the carbon atom on glycerol phosphate is different between the three kingdoms, Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Archaea membranes consist of phospholipids with glycerol-1-phosphate (G1P) in the S configuration, whereas phospholipids of the other two kingdoms contain glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) having R stereochemistry. In the present study, GC/MS and LC/MS methods sensitively detected G3P and G1P from four bacterial strains (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, Clavibacter michiganensis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus). Strain selection was carried out based on a GenBank search that revealed bacterial sequences associated with both enzymes involved in glycerol-phosphate synthesis, i.e., glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase. The detection of G1P and G3P was made by comparing the retention times of synthetic standards with those of analyzed samples. The structures of both glycerol phosphates were confirmed by selected ion monitoring (SIM) at m/z 171.006. The total concentration of G3P and G1P was around 30 µM, with a ratio of G3P to G1P of 4:1. We showed that PG was the most abundant phospholipid in all four bacteria by using the following analytical techniques and chromatographic modes: hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/HR-ESI tandem MS) in negative and positive ionization modes, and an enzymatic cleavage by phospholipase C. By using chiral chromatography, the presence of both enantiomers in the glycerol backbone of some molecular species of PG was revealed. These results allow us to conclude that the bacteria examined here produce both enantiomer glycerol phosphates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palyzová
- Institute of Microbiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Irina A Guschina
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Tomáš Řezanka
- Institute of Microbiology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Structural Characterization of Mono- and Dimethylphosphatidylethanolamines from Various Organisms Using a Complex Analytical Strategy Including Chiral Chromatography. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14030616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two minor phospholipids, i.e., mono- and/or dimethylphosphatidylethanolamines, are widespread in many organisms, from bacteria to higher plants and animals. A molecular mixture of methyl-PE and dimethyl-PE was obtained from total lipids by liquid chromatography and further identified by mass spectrometry. Total methyl-PE and dimethyl-PE were cleaved by phospholipase C, and the resulting diacylglycerols, in the form of acetyl derivatives, were separated into alkyl-acyl, alkenyl-acyl, and diacylglycerols. Reversed-phase LC/MS allowed dozens of molecular species to be identified and further analyzed. This was performed on a chiral column, and identification by tandem positive ESI revealed that diacyl derivatives from all four bacteria were mixtures of both R and S enantiomers. The same applied to alkenyl-acyl derivatives of anaerobic bacteria. Analysis thus confirmed that some bacteria biosynthesize phospholipids having both sn-glycerol-3-phosphate and sn-glycerol-1-phosphate as precursors. These findings were further supported by data already published in GenBank. The use of chiral chromatography made it possible to prove that both enantiomers of glycerol phosphate of some molecular species of mono- and dimethylphosphatidylethanolamines are present. The result of the analysis can be interpreted that the cultured bacteria do not have homochiral membranes but, on the contrary, have an asymmetric, i.e., heterochiral membranes.
Collapse
|
18
|
Hedlund BP, Zhang C, Wang F, Rinke C, Martin WF. Editorial: Ecology, Metabolism and Evolution of Archaea-Perspectives From Proceedings of the International Workshop on Geo-Omics of Archaea. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:827229. [PMID: 35126338 PMCID: PMC8816317 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.827229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian P. Hedlund
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Chuanlun Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Christian Rinke
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - William F. Martin
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, University of Dusseldorf Medical School, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
The origin of life, based on the homochirality of biomolecules, is a persistent mystery. Did life begin by using both forms of chirality, and then one of the forms disappeared? Or did the choice of homochirality precede the formation of biomolecules that could ensure replication and information transfer? Is the natural choice of L-amino acids and D-sugars on which life is based deterministic or random? Is the handedness present in/of the Universe from its beginning? The whole biosystem on the Earth, all living creatures are chiral. Many theories try to explain the origin of life and chirality on the Earth: e.g., the panspermia hypothesis, the primordial soup hypothesis, theory of parity violation in weak interactions. Additionally, heavy neutrinos and the impact of the fact that only left-handed particles decay, and even dark matter, all have to be considered.
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
The origin of eukaryotes has been defined as the major evolutionary transition since the origin of life itself. Most hallmark traits of eukaryotes, such as their intricate intracellular organization, can be traced back to a putative common ancestor that predated the broad diversity of extant eukaryotes. However, little is known about the nature and relative order of events that occurred in the path from preexisting prokaryotes to this already sophisticated ancestor. The origin of mitochondria from the endosymbiosis of an alphaproteobacterium is one of the few robustly established events to which most hypotheses on the origin of eukaryotes are anchored, but the debate is still open regarding the time of this acquisition, the nature of the host, and the ecological and metabolic interactions between the symbiotic partners. After the acquisition of mitochondria, eukaryotes underwent a fast radiation into several major clades whose phylogenetic relationships have been largely elusive. Recent progress in the comparative analyses of a growing number of genomes is shedding light on the early events of eukaryotic evolution as well as on the root and branching patterns of the tree of eukaryotes. Here I discuss current knowledge and debates on the origin and early evolution of eukaryotes. I focus particularly on how phylogenomic analyses have challenged some of the early assumptions about eukaryotic evolution, including the widespread idea that mitochondrial symbiosis in an archaeal host was the earliest event in eukaryogenesis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BCS-CNS), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; .,Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Martin HS, Podolsky KA, Devaraj NK. Probing the Role of Chirality in Phospholipid Membranes. Chembiochem 2021; 22:3148-3157. [PMID: 34227722 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotides, amino acids, sugars, and lipids are almost ubiquitously homochiral within individual cells on Earth. While oligonucleotides and proteins exist as one natural chirality throughout the tree of life, two stereoisomers of phospholipids have separately emerged in archaea and bacteria, an evolutionary divergence known as "the lipid divide". Within this review, we focus on the emergence of phospholipid homochirality and compare the stability of synthetic homochiral and heterochiral membranes in vitro. We discuss chemical probes designed to study the stereospecific interactions of lipid membranes in vitro. Overall, we aim to highlight studies that help elucidate the determinants of stereospecific interactions between lipids, peptides, and small molecule ligands. Continued work in understanding the drivers of favorable interactions between chiral molecules and biological membranes will lead to the design of increasingly selective chemical tools for bioorthogonal labeling of lipid membranes and safer membrane-associating pharmaceuticals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Martin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kira A Podolsky
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Neal K Devaraj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Moore WM, Milshteyn D, Tsai YT, Budin I. Engineering the bilayer: Emerging genetic tool kits for mechanistic lipid biology. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 65:66-73. [PMID: 34218059 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The structural diversity of lipids underpins the biophysical properties of cellular membranes, which vary across all scales of biological organization. Because lipid composition results from complex metabolic and transport pathways, its experimental control has been a major goal of mechanistic membrane biology. Here, we argue that in the wake of synthetic biology, similar metabolic engineering strategies can be applied to control the composition, physicochemical properties, and function of cell membranes. In one emerging area, titratable expression platforms allow for specific and genome-wide alterations in lipid biosynthetic genes, providing analog control over lipidome stoichiometry in membranes. Simultaneously, heterologous expression of biosynthetic genes and pathways has allowed for gain-of-function experiments with diverse lipids in non-native systems. Finally, we highlight future directions for tool development, including recently discovered lipid transport pathways to intracellular lipid pools. Further tool development providing synthetic control of membrane properties can allow biologists to untangle membrane lipid structure-associated functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William M Moore
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Daniel Milshteyn
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yi-Ting Tsai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Itay Budin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
The Origin(s) of Cell(s): Pre-Darwinian Evolution from FUCAs to LUCA : To Carl Woese (1928-2012), for his Conceptual Breakthrough of Cellular Evolution. J Mol Evol 2021; 89:427-447. [PMID: 34173011 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-10014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The coming of the Last Universal Cellular Ancestor (LUCA) was the singular watershed event in the making of the biotic world. If the coming of LUCA marked the crossing of the "Darwinian Threshold", then pre-LUCA evolution must have been Pre-Darwinian and at least partly non-Darwinian. But how did Pre-Darwinian evolution before LUCA actually operate? I broaden our understanding of the central mechanism of biological evolution (i.e., variation-selection-inheritance) and then extend this broadened understanding to its natural starting point: the origin(s) of the First Universal Cellular Ancestors (FUCAs) before LUCA. My hypothesis centers upon vesicles' making-and-remaking as variation and competition as selection. More specifically, I argue that vesicles' acquisition and merger, via breaking-and-repacking, proto-endocytosis, proto-endosymbiosis, and other similar processes had been a central force of both variation and selection in the pre-Darwinian epoch. These new perspectives shed important new light upon the origin of FUCAs and their subsequent evolution into LUCA.
Collapse
|
24
|
Exterkate M, de Kok NAW, Andringa RLH, Wolbert NHJ, Minnaard AJ, Driessen AJM. A promiscuous archaeal cardiolipin synthase enables construction of diverse natural and unnatural phospholipids. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100691. [PMID: 33894204 PMCID: PMC8141893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiolipins (CL) are a class of lipids involved in the structural organization of membranes, enzyme functioning, and osmoregulation. Biosynthesis of CLs has been studied in eukaryotes and bacteria, but has been barely explored in archaea. Unlike the common fatty acyl chain–based ester phospholipids, archaeal membranes are made up of the structurally different isoprenoid-based ether phospholipids, possibly involving a different cardiolipin biosynthesis mechanism. Here, we identified a phospholipase D motif–containing cardiolipin synthase (MhCls) from the methanogen Methanospirillum hungatei. The enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and its activity was characterized by LC-MS analysis of substrates/products. MhCls utilizes two archaetidylglycerol (AG) molecules in a transesterification reaction to synthesize glycerol-di-archaetidyl-cardiolipin (Gro-DACL) and glycerol. The enzyme is nonselective to the stereochemistry of the glycerol backbone and the nature of the lipid tail, as it also accepts phosphatidylglycerol (PG) to generate glycerol-di-phosphatidyl-cardiolipin (Gro-DPCL). Remarkably, in the presence of AG and PG, MhCls formed glycerol-archaetidyl-phosphatidyl-cardiolipin (Gro-APCL), an archaeal-bacterial hybrid cardiolipin species that so far has not been observed in nature. Due to the reversibility of the transesterification, in the presence of glycerol, Gro-DPCL can be converted back into two PG molecules. In the presence of other compounds that contain primary hydroxyl groups (e.g., alcohols, water, sugars), various natural and unique unnatural phospholipid species could be synthesized, including multiple di-phosphatidyl-cardiolipin species. Moreover, MhCls can utilize a glycolipid in the presence of phosphatidylglycerol to form a glycosyl-mono-phosphatidyl-cardiolipin species, emphasizing the promiscuity of this cardiolipin synthase that could be of interest for bio-catalytic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marten Exterkate
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A W de Kok
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben L H Andringa
- Department of Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels H J Wolbert
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan J Minnaard
- Department of Chemical Biology, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nasir A, Mughal F, Caetano-Anollés G. The tree of life describes a tripartite cellular world. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000343. [PMID: 33837594 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The canonical view of a 3-domain (3D) tree of life was recently challenged by the discovery of Asgardarchaeota encoding eukaryote signature proteins (ESPs), which were treated as missing links of a 2-domain (2D) tree. Here we revisit the debate. We discuss methodological limitations of building trees with alignment-dependent approaches, which often fail to satisfactorily address the problem of ''gaps.'' In addition, most phylogenies are reconstructed unrooted, neglecting the power of direct rooting methods. Alignment-free methodologies lift most difficulties but require employing realistic evolutionary models. We argue that the discoveries of Asgards and ESPs, by themselves, do not rule out the 3D tree, which is strongly supported by comparative and evolutionary genomic analyses and vast genomic and biochemical superkingdom distinctions. Given uncertainties of retrodiction and interpretation difficulties, we conclude that the 3D view has not been falsified but instead has been strengthened by genomic analyses. In turn, the objections to the 2D model have not been lifted. The debate remains open. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/-6TBN0bubI8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arshan Nasir
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics (T-6), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Fizza Mughal
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Gustavo Caetano-Anollés
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Villanueva L, von Meijenfeldt FAB, Westbye AB, Yadav S, Hopmans EC, Dutilh BE, Damsté JSS. Bridging the membrane lipid divide: bacteria of the FCB group superphylum have the potential to synthesize archaeal ether lipids. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:168-182. [PMID: 32929208 PMCID: PMC7852524 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00772-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Archaea synthesize membranes of isoprenoid lipids that are ether-linked to glycerol-1-phosphate (G1P), while Bacteria/Eukarya produce membranes consisting of fatty acids ester-bound to glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P). This dichotomy in membrane lipid composition (i.e., the 'lipid divide') is believed to have arisen after the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA). A leading hypothesis is that LUCA possessed a heterochiral 'mixed archaeal/bacterial membrane'. However, no natural microbial representatives supporting this scenario have been shown to exist today. Here, we demonstrate that bacteria of the Fibrobacteres-Chlorobi-Bacteroidetes (FCB) group superphylum encode a putative archaeal pathway for ether-bound isoprenoid membrane lipids in addition to the bacterial fatty acid membrane pathway. Key genes were expressed in the environment and their recombinant expression in Escherichia coli resulted in the formation of a 'mixed archaeal/bacterial membrane'. Genomic evidence and biochemical assays suggest that the archaeal-like lipids of members of the FCB group could possess either a G1P or G3P stereochemistry. Our results support the existence of 'mixed membranes' in natural environments and their stability over a long period in evolutionary history, thereby bridging a once-thought fundamental divide in biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Villanueva
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Alexander B Westbye
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Subhash Yadav
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen C Hopmans
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Bas E Dutilh
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Science for Life, Utrecht University, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap S Sinninghe Damsté
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yoshida R, Hemmi H. Construction of an artificial biosynthetic pathway for hyperextended archaeal membrane lipids in the bacterium Escherichia coli. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 5:ysaa018. [PMID: 33263085 PMCID: PMC7680562 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Archaea produce unique membrane lipids, which possess two fully saturated isoprenoid chains linked to the glycerol moiety via ether bonds. The isoprenoid chain length of archaeal membrane lipids is believed to be important for some archaea to thrive in extreme environments because the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix and some halophilic archaea synthesize extended C25,C25-archaeal diether-type membrane lipids, which have isoprenoid chains that are longer than those of typical C20,C20-diether lipids. Natural archaeal diether lipids possessing longer C30 or C35 isoprenoid chains, however, have yet to be isolated. In the present study, we attempted to synthesize such hyperextended archaeal membrane lipids. We investigated the substrate preference of the enzyme sn-2,3-(digeranylfarnesyl)glycerol-1-phosphate synthase from A. pernix, which catalyzes the transfer of the second C25 isoprenoid chain to the glycerol moiety in the biosynthetic pathway of C25,C25-archaeal membrane lipids. The enzyme was shown to accept sn-3-hexaprenylglycerol-1-phosphate, which has a C30 isoprenoid chain, as a prenyl acceptor substrate to synthesize sn-2-geranylfarnesyl-3-hexaprenylglycerol-1-phosphate, a supposed precursor for hyperextended C25,C30-archaeal membrane lipids. Furthermore, we constructed an artificial biosynthetic pathway by introducing 4 archaeal genes and 1 gene from Bacillus subtilis in the cells of Escherichia coli, which enabled the E. coli strain to produce hyperextended C25,C30-archaeal membrane lipids, which have never been reported so far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 460-8601, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hemmi
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 460-8601, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
The first cultured Asgard archaeon lives in metabolic symbiosis with hydrogen-scavenging microbes. Its full-genome analysis authenticates the existence of Asgard archaea, previously only known from metagenome-assembled genomes, confirms their closer phylogenetic relatedness to eukaryotes and reinforces the idea that the eukaryotic cell evolved from an integrated archaeal-bacterial syntrophic consortium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Plant-archaea relationships: a potential means to improve crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:133. [PMID: 32772189 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of the world is limited by several abiotic factors, including water stress, temperature extremes, low soil fertility, high soil pH, low soil water-holding capacity, and low soil organic matter. Moreover, arid and semi-arid areas experience low levels of rainfall with high spatial and temporal variability. Also, the indiscriminate use of chemicals, a practice that characterizes current agricultural practice, promotes crop and soil pollution potentially resulting in serious human health and environmental hazards. A reliable and sustainable alternative to current farming practice is, therefore, a necessity. One such option includes the use of plant growth-promoting microbes that can help to ameliorate some of the adverse effects of these multiple stresses. In this regard, archaea, functional components of the plant microbiome that are found both in the rhizosphere and the endosphere may contribute to the promotion of plant growth. Archaea can survive in extreme habitats such as areas with high temperatures and hypersaline water. No cases of archaea pathogenicity towards plants have been reported. Archaea appear to have the potential to promote plant growth, improve nutrient supply and protect plants against various abiotic stresses. A better understanding of recent developments in archaea functional diversity, plant colonizing ability, and modes of action could facilitate their eventual usage as reliable components of sustainable agricultural systems. The research discussed herein, therefore, addresses the potential role of archaea to improve sustainable crop production in arid and semi-arid areas.
Collapse
|
30
|
Horne JE, Brockwell DJ, Radford SE. Role of the lipid bilayer in outer membrane protein folding in Gram-negative bacteria. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10340-10367. [PMID: 32499369 PMCID: PMC7383365 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.011473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) represent the major proteinaceous component of the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria. These proteins perform key roles in cell structure and morphology, nutrient acquisition, colonization and invasion, and protection against external toxic threats such as antibiotics. To become functional, OMPs must fold and insert into a crowded and asymmetric OM that lacks much freely accessible lipid. This feat is accomplished in the absence of an external energy source and is thought to be driven by the high thermodynamic stability of folded OMPs in the OM. With such a stable fold, the challenge that bacteria face in assembling OMPs into the OM is how to overcome the initial energy barrier of membrane insertion. In this review, we highlight the roles of the lipid environment and the OM in modulating the OMP-folding landscape and discuss the factors that guide folding in vitro and in vivo We particularly focus on the composition, architecture, and physical properties of the OM and how an understanding of the folding properties of OMPs in vitro can help explain the challenges they encounter during folding in vivo Current models of OMP biogenesis in the cellular environment are still in flux, but the stakes for improving the accuracy of these models are high. OMP folding is an essential process in all Gram-negative bacteria, and considering the looming crisis of widespread microbial drug resistance it is an attractive target. To bring down this vital OMP-supported barrier to antibiotics, we must first understand how bacterial cells build it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jim E Horne
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David J Brockwell
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena E Radford
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
The last universal cellular ancestor (LUCA) is the most recent population of organisms from which all cellular life on Earth descends. The reconstruction of the genome and phenotype of the LUCA is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Given that all life forms are associated with viruses and/or other mobile genetic elements, there is no doubt that the LUCA was a host to viruses. Here, by projecting back in time using the extant distribution of viruses across the two primary domains of life, bacteria and archaea, and tracing the evolutionary histories of some key virus genes, we attempt a reconstruction of the LUCA virome. Even a conservative version of this reconstruction suggests a remarkably complex virome that already included the main groups of extant viruses of bacteria and archaea. We further present evidence of extensive virus evolution antedating the LUCA. The presence of a highly complex virome implies the substantial genomic and pan-genomic complexity of the LUCA itself.
Collapse
|
32
|
Blank PN, Barnett AA, Ronnebaum TA, Alderfer KE, Gillott BN, Christianson DW, Himmelberger JA. Structural studies of geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate synthase, a prenyltransferase found in thermophilic Euryarchaeota. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2020; 76:542-557. [PMID: 32496216 PMCID: PMC7271946 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320004878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Archaea are uniquely adapted to thrive in harsh environments, and one of these adaptations involves the archaeal membrane lipids, which are characterized by their isoprenoid alkyl chains connected via ether linkages to glycerol 1-phosphate. The membrane lipids of the thermophilic and acidophilic euryarchaeota Thermoplasma volcanium are exclusively glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers. The first committed step in the biosynthetic pathway of these archaeal lipids is the formation of the ether linkage between glycerol 1-phosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate, and is catalyzed by the enzyme geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate synthase (GGGPS). The 1.72 Å resolution crystal structure of GGGPS from T. volcanium (TvGGGPS) in complex with glycerol and sulfate is reported here. The crystal structure reveals TvGGGPS to be a dimer, which is consistent with the absence of the aromatic anchor residue in helix α5a that is required for hexamerization in other GGGPS homologs; the hexameric quaternary structure in GGGPS is thought to provide thermostability. A phylogenetic analysis of the Euryarchaeota and a parallel ancestral state reconstruction investigated the relationship between optimal growth temperature and the ancestral sequences. The presence of an aromatic anchor residue is not explained by temperature as an ecological parameter. An examination of the active site of the TvGGGPS dimer revealed that it may be able to accommodate longer isoprenoid substrates, supporting an alternative pathway of isoprenoid membrane-lipid synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. N. Blank
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - A. A. Barnett
- Department of Biology, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034, USA
| | - T. A. Ronnebaum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - K. E. Alderfer
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034, USA
| | - B. N. Gillott
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034, USA
| | - D. W. Christianson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - J. A. Himmelberger
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
López-García P, Moreira D. The Syntrophy hypothesis for the origin of eukaryotes revisited. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:655-667. [DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0710-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
34
|
Mencía M. The archaeal-bacterial lipid divide, could a distinct lateral proton route hold the answer? Biol Direct 2020; 15:7. [PMID: 32317017 PMCID: PMC7171761 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-020-00262-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The archaea-bacteria lipid divide is one of the big evolutionary enigmas concerning these two domains of life. In short, bacterial membranes are made of fatty-acid esters whereas archaeal ones contain isoprenoid ethers, though at present we do not have a good understanding on why they evolved differently. The lateral proton transfer mode of energy transduction in membranes posits that protons utilize the solvation layer of the membrane interface as the main route between proton pumps and ATPases, avoiding dissipation of energy to the bulk phase. In this article I present the hypothesis on a proton-transport route through the ester groups of bacterial phospholipids as an explanation for the evolutionary divergence seen between bacteria and archaea. REVIEWERS: This article was reviewed by Uri Gophna (Editorial Board member) and Víctor Sojo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mencía
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Eckl DB, Huber H, Bäumler W. First Report on Photodynamic Inactivation of Archaea Including a Novel Method for High-Throughput Reduction Measurement. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 96:883-889. [PMID: 32073658 DOI: 10.1111/php.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Archaea are considered third, independent domain of living organisms besides eukaryotic and bacterial cells. To date, no report is available of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of any archaeal cells. Two commercially available photosensitizers (SAPYR and TMPyP) were used to investigate photodynamic inactivation of Halobacterium salinarum. In addition, a novel high-throughput method was tested to evaluate microbial reduction in vitro. Due to the high salt content of the culture medium, the physical and chemical properties of photosensitizers were analyzed via spectroscopy and fluorescence-based DPBF assays. Attachment or uptake of photosensitizers to or in archaeal cells was investigated. The photodynamic inactivation of Halobacterium salinarum was evaluated via growth curve method allowing a high throughput of samples. The presented results indicate that the photodynamic mechanisms are working even in high salt environments. Either photosensitizer inactivated the archaeal cells with a reduction of 99.9% at least. The growth curves provided a fast and precise measurement of cell viability. The results show for the first time that PDI can kill not only bacterial cells but also robust archaea. The novel method for generating high-throughput growth curves provides benefits for future research regarding antimicrobial substances in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Eckl
- Department of Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Harald Huber
- Department of Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Bäumler
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Speijer D. Debating Eukaryogenesis—Part 1: Does Eukaryogenesis Presuppose Symbiosis Before Uptake? Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900157. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dave Speijer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, AmsterdamUMCUniversity of Amsterdam Meibergdreef 15 1105 AZ Amsterdam The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Besseling MA, Hopmans EC, Bale NJ, Schouten S, Damsté JSS, Villanueva L. The absence of intact polar lipid-derived GDGTs in marine waters dominated by Marine Group II: Implications for lipid biosynthesis in Archaea. Sci Rep 2020; 10:294. [PMID: 31941956 PMCID: PMC6962369 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57035-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine pelagic archaeal community is dominated by three major groups, the marine group I (MGI) Thaumarchaeota, and the marine groups II and III (MGII and MGIII) Euryarchaeota. Studies of both MGI cultures and the environment have shown that the MGI core membrane lipids are predominantly composed of glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids and the diether lipid archaeol. However, there are no cultured representatives of MGII and III archaea and, therefore, both their membrane lipid composition and potential contribution to the marine archaeal lipid pool remain unknown. Here, we show that GDGTs present in suspended particulate matter of the (sub)surface waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and the coastal North Sea are derived from MGI archaea, and that MGII archaea do not significantly contribute to the pool of GDGTs and archaeol. This implies, in contrast to previous suggestions, that their lipids do not affect the widely used sea surface temperature proxy TEX86. These findings also indicate that MGII archaea are not able to produce any known archaeal lipids, implying that our understanding of the evolution of membrane lipid biosynthesis in Archaea is far from complete.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Besseling
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands.
| | - Ellen C Hopmans
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole J Bale
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Schouten
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, P.O. Box 80.021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap S Sinninghe Damsté
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, P.O. Box 80.021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Villanueva
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University., P.O. Box 59, NL-1790, AB Den Burg, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Imachi H, Nobu MK, Nakahara N, Morono Y, Ogawara M, Takaki Y, Takano Y, Uematsu K, Ikuta T, Ito M, Matsui Y, Miyazaki M, Murata K, Saito Y, Sakai S, Song C, Tasumi E, Yamanaka Y, Yamaguchi T, Kamagata Y, Tamaki H, Takai K. Isolation of an archaeon at the prokaryote-eukaryote interface. Nature 2020; 577:519-525. [PMID: 31942073 PMCID: PMC7015854 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 348] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The origin of eukaryotes remains unclear1-4. Current data suggest that eukaryotes may have emerged from an archaeal lineage known as 'Asgard' archaea5,6. Despite the eukaryote-like genomic features that are found in these archaea, the evolutionary transition from archaea to eukaryotes remains unclear, owing to the lack of cultured representatives and corresponding physiological insights. Here we report the decade-long isolation of an Asgard archaeon related to Lokiarchaeota from deep marine sediment. The archaeon-'Candidatus Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum' strain MK-D1-is an anaerobic, extremely slow-growing, small coccus (around 550 nm in diameter) that degrades amino acids through syntrophy. Although eukaryote-like intracellular complexes have been proposed for Asgard archaea6, the isolate has no visible organelle-like structure. Instead, Ca. P. syntrophicum is morphologically complex and has unique protrusions that are long and often branching. On the basis of the available data obtained from cultivation and genomics, and reasoned interpretations of the existing literature, we propose a hypothetical model for eukaryogenesis, termed the entangle-engulf-endogenize (also known as E3) model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Imachi
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan.
| | - Masaru K Nobu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Nakahara
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Morono
- Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, X-star, JAMSTEC, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Miyuki Ogawara
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takaki
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Takano
- Biogeochemistry Program, Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization, JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Uematsu
- Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, Marine Work Japan, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Ikuta
- Research Institute for Global Change, JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Motoo Ito
- Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, X-star, JAMSTEC, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Yohei Matsui
- Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization, JAMSTEC, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Miyazaki
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | | | - Yumi Saito
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Sanae Sakai
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Chihong Song
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Eiji Tasumi
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yuko Yamanaka
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kamagata
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Tamaki
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ken Takai
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
- Section for Exploration of Life in Extreme Environments, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Jordan SF, Nee E, Lane N. Isoprenoids enhance the stability of fatty acid membranes at the emergence of life potentially leading to an early lipid divide. Interface Focus 2019; 9:20190067. [PMID: 31641436 PMCID: PMC6802135 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Two key problems concern cell membranes during the emergence and early evolution of life: what was their initial composition, and why did the membranes of archaea and bacteria diverge? The composition of the first cell membranes could shed light on the most likely environment for the emergence of life. The opposing stereochemistry of modern lipid glycerol-phosphate headgroups in bacteria and archaea suggests that early membranes were composed of single chain amphiphiles, perhaps both fatty acids and isoprenoids. We investigated the effect of adding isoprenoids to fatty acid membranes using a combination of UV-visible spectroscopy, confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We tested the stability of these membranes across a pH range and under different concentrations of ionic species relevant to oceanic hydrothermal environments, including Na2+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, HC O 3 - , Fe3+, Fe2+ and S2-. We also tested the assembly of vesicles in the presence of Fe particles and FeS precipitates. We found that isoprenoids enhance the stability of membranes in the presence of salts but require 30-fold higher concentrations for membrane formation. Intriguingly, isoprenoids strongly inhibit the tendency of vesicles to aggregate together in the presence of either Fe particles or FeS precipitates. These striking physical differences in the stability and aggregation of protocells may have shaped the divergence of bacteria and archaea in early hydrothermal environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean F. Jordan
- Centre for Life's Origin and Evolution, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
|
41
|
Promotion of protocell self-assembly from mixed amphiphiles at the origin of life. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:1705-1714. [PMID: 31686020 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-1015-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Vesicles formed from single-chain amphiphiles (SCAs) such as fatty acids probably played an important role in the origin of life. A major criticism of the hypothesis that life arose in an early ocean hydrothermal environment is that hot temperatures, large pH gradients, high salinity and abundant divalent cations should preclude vesicle formation. However, these arguments are based on model vesicles using 1-3 SCAs, even though Fischer-Tropsch-type synthesis under hydrothermal conditions produces a wide array of fatty acids and 1-alkanols, including abundant C10-C15 compounds. Here, we show that mixtures of these C10-C15 SCAs form vesicles in aqueous solutions between pH ~6.5 and >12 at modern seawater concentrations of NaCl, Mg2+ and Ca2+. Adding C10 isoprenoids improves vesicle stability even further. Vesicles form most readily at temperatures of ~70 °C and require salinity and strongly alkaline conditions to self-assemble. Thus, alkaline hydrothermal conditions not only permit protocell formation at the origin of life but actively favour it.
Collapse
|
42
|
Metagenomes from Coastal Marine Sediments Give Insights into the Ecological Role and Cellular Features of Loki- and Thorarchaeota. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02039-19. [PMID: 31506313 PMCID: PMC6737245 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02039-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The genomes of Asgard Archaea, a novel archaeal proposed superphylum, share an enriched repertoire of eukaryotic signature genes and thus promise to provide insights into early eukaryote evolution. However, the distribution, metabolisms, cellular structures, and ecology of the members within this superphylum are not well understood. Here we provide a meta-analysis of the environmental distribution of the Asgard archaea, based on available 16S rRNA gene sequences. Metagenome sequencing of samples from a salt-crusted lagoon on the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico allowed the assembly of a new Thorarchaeota and three Lokiarchaeota genomes. Comparative analyses of all known Lokiarchaeota and Thorarchaeota genomes revealed overlapping genome content, including central carbon metabolism. Members of both groups contained putative reductive dehalogenase genes, suggesting that these organisms might be able to metabolize halogenated organic compounds. Unlike the first report on Lokiarchaeota, we identified genes encoding glycerol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase in all Loki- and Thorarchaeota genomes, suggesting that these organisms are able to synthesize bona fide archaeal lipids with their characteristic glycerol stereochemistry.IMPORTANCE Microorganisms of the superphylum Asgard Archaea are considered to be the closest living prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes (including plants and animals) and thus promise to give insights into the early evolution of more complex life forms. However, very little is known about their biology as none of the organisms has yet been cultivated in the laboratory. Here we report on the ecological distribution of Asgard Archaea and on four newly sequenced genomes of the Lokiarchaeota and Thorarchaeota lineages that give insight into possible metabolic features that might eventually help to identify these enigmatic groups of archaea in the environment and to culture them.
Collapse
|
43
|
Possible Roles of Amphiphilic Molecules in the Origin of Biological Homochirality. Symmetry (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/sym11080966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A review. The question of homochirality is an intriguing problem in the field of chemistry, and is deeply related to the origin of life. Though amphiphiles and their supramolecular assembly have attracted less attention compared to biomacromolecules such as RNA and proteins, the lipid world hypothesis sheds new light on the origin of life. This review describes how amphiphilic molecules are possibly involved in the scenario of homochirality. Some prebiotic conditions relevant to amphiphilic molecules will also be described. It could be said that the chiral properties of amphiphilic molecules have various interesting features such as compositional information, spontaneous formation, the ability to exchange components, fission and fusion, adsorption, and permeation. This review aims to clarify the roles of amphiphiles regarding homochirality, and to determine what kinds of physical properties of amphiphilic molecules could have played a role in the scenario of homochirality.
Collapse
|
44
|
Coleman GA, Pancost RD, Williams TA. Investigating the Origins of Membrane Phospholipid Biosynthesis Genes Using Outgroup-Free Rooting. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:883-898. [PMID: 30753429 PMCID: PMC6431249 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the key differences between Bacteria and Archaea is their canonical membrane phospholipids, which are synthesized by distinct biosynthetic pathways with nonhomologous enzymes. This “lipid divide” has important implications for the early evolution of cells and the type of membrane phospholipids present in the last universal common ancestor. One of the main challenges in studies of membrane evolution is that the key biosynthetic genes are ancient and their evolutionary histories are poorly resolved. This poses major challenges for traditional rooting methods because the only available outgroups are distantly related. Here, we address this issue by using the best available substitution models for single-gene trees, by expanding our analyses to the diversity of uncultivated prokaryotes recently revealed by environmental genomics, and by using two complementary approaches to rooting that do not depend on outgroups. Consistent with some previous analyses, our rooted gene trees support extensive interdomain horizontal transfer of membrane phospholipid biosynthetic genes, primarily from Archaea to Bacteria. They also suggest that the capacity to make archaeal-type membrane phospholipids was already present in last universal common ancestor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gareth A Coleman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tom A Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Sojo V. Why the Lipid Divide? Membrane Proteins as Drivers of the Split between the Lipids of the Three Domains of Life. Bioessays 2019; 41:e1800251. [PMID: 30970170 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent results from engineered and natural samples show that the starkly different lipids of archaea and bacteria can form stable hybrid membranes. But if the two types can mix, why don't they? That is, why do most bacteria and all eukaryotes have only typically bacterial lipids, and archaea archaeal lipids? It is suggested here that the reason may lie on the other main component of cellular membranes: membrane proteins, and their close adaptation to the lipids. Archaeal lipids in modern bacteria could suggest that the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) had both lipid types. However, this would imply a rather elaborate evolutionary scenario, while negating simpler alternatives. In light of widespread horizontal gene transfer across the prokaryotic domains, hybrid membranes reveal that the lipid divide did not just occur once at the divergence of archaea and bacteria from LUCA. Instead, it continues to occur actively to this day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Sojo
- College for Life Sciences, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Proposal of the reverse flow model for the origin of the eukaryotic cell based on comparative analyses of Asgard archaeal metabolism. Nat Microbiol 2019; 4:1138-1148. [DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
47
|
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Danchin
- Institut de cardiométabolisme et nutrition, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 Paris
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Synthetic biologists have developed sophisticated molecular and genetic tools to engineer new biochemical functions in cells. Applications for these tools have focused on important problems in energy and medicine, but they can also be applied to address basic science topics that cannot be easily accessed by classical approaches. We focus on recent work that has utilized synthetic biology approaches, ranging from promoter engineering to the de novo synthesis of cellular parts, to investigate a wide range of biochemical and cellular questions. Insights obtained by these efforts include how fatty acid composition mediates cellular metabolism, how transcriptional circuits act to stabilize multicellular networks, and fitness trade-offs involved in the selection of genetic regulatory elements. We also highlight common themes about how "discovery by synthesis" approaches can aid fundamental research. For example, rewiring of native metabolism through metabolic engineering is a powerful tool for investigating biological molecules whose exact composition and abundance are key for function. Meanwhile, endeavors to synthesize cells and their components allow scientists to address evolutionary questions that are otherwise constrained by extant laboratory models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Itay Budin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute , 5885 Hollis Street , Emeryville , California 94608 , United States.,Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering , University of California, Berkeley , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - Jay D Keasling
- Joint BioEnergy Institute , 5885 Hollis Street , Emeryville , California 94608 , United States.,Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering , University of California, Berkeley , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States.,Department of Bioengineering , University of California, Berkeley , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States.,QB3 Institute , University of California, Berkeley , Berkeley , California 94270 , United States.,Biological Systems & Engineering , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Sustainability , Technical University of Denmark , 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark.,Institute for Synthetic Biology , Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Shenzhen 518055 , China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Dacks JB, Field MC. Evolutionary origins and specialisation of membrane transport. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 53:70-76. [PMID: 29929066 PMCID: PMC6141808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
From unicellular protists to the largest megafauna and flora, all eukaryotes depend upon the organelles and processes of the intracellular membrane trafficking system. Well-defined machinery selectively packages and delivers material between endomembrane organelles and imports and exports material from the cell surface. This process underlies intracellular compartmentalization and facilitates myriad processes that define eukaryotic biology. Membrane trafficking is a landmark in the origins of the eukaryotic cell and recent work has begun to unravel how the revolution in cellular structure occurred.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel B Dacks
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Mark C Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Villanueva L. Engineering E. coli to Have a Hybrid Archaeal/Bacterial Membrane. Trends Microbiol 2018; 26:559-560. [PMID: 29789226 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria and Archaea have membrane lipids with an opposite stereochemistry. The most plausible explanation for this differentiation implies an unstable heterochiral membrane stage. A recent study engineered Escherichia coli with a significant abundance of archaeal lipids showing higher robustness, disproving heterochirality as the driving force for this differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Villanueva
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1797AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|