1
|
Nguyen HNA, Sharp L, Lyman E, Saenz JP. Varying the position of phospholipid acyl chain unsaturation modulates hopanoid and sterol ordering. Biophys J 2024; 123:1896-1902. [PMID: 38850024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.06.002] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell membrane must balance mechanical stability with fluidity to function as both a barrier and an organizational platform. Key to this balance is the ordering of hydrocarbon chains and the packing of lipids. Many eukaryotes synthesize sterols, which are uniquely capable of modulating the lipid order to decouple membrane stability from fluidity. Ancient sterol analogs known as hopanoids are found in many bacteria and proposed as ancestral ordering lipids. The juxtaposition of sterols and hopanoids in extant organisms prompts us to ask why both pathways persist, especially in light of their convergent ability to order lipids. In this work, simulations, monolayer experiments, and cellular assays show that hopanoids and sterols order unsaturated phospholipids differently based on the position of double bonds in the phospholipid acyl chain. We find that cholesterol and diplopterol's methyl group distributions lead to distinct effects on unsaturated lipids. In Mesoplasma florum, diplopterol's constrained ordering capacity reduces membrane resistance to osmotic stress, unlike cholesterol. These findings suggest that cholesterol's broader lipid-ordering ability may have facilitated the exploration of a more diverse lipidomic landscape in eukaryotic membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Ngoc-Anh Nguyen
- Technische Universität Dresden, B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Dresden, Germany
| | - Liam Sharp
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
| | - Edward Lyman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
| | - James P Saenz
- Technische Universität Dresden, B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Dresden, Germany; Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Etherington GJ, Gil EG, Haerty W, Oliferenko S, Nieduszynski CA. Schizosaccharomyces versatilis represents a distinct evolutionary lineage of fission yeast. Yeast 2024; 41:95-107. [PMID: 38146786 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3919] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The fission yeast species Schizosaccharomyces japonicus is currently divided into two varieties-S. japonicus var. japonicus and S. japonicus var. versatilis. Here we examine the var. versatilis isolate CBS5679. The CBS5679 genome shows 88% identity to the reference genome of S. japonicus var. japonicus at the coding sequence level, with phylogenetic analyses suggesting that it has split from the S. japonicus lineage 25 million years ago. The CBS5679 genome contains a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 1 and 2, together with several large inversions. The products of genes linked to the major translocation are associated with 'metabolism' and 'cellular assembly' ontology terms. We further show that CBS5679 does not generate viable progeny with the reference strain of S. japonicus. Although CBS5679 shares closer similarity to the 'type' strain of var. versatilis as compared to S. japonicus, it is not identical to the type strain, suggesting population structure within var. versatilis. We recommend that the taxonomic status of S. japonicus var. versatilis is raised, with it being treated as a separate species, Schizosaccharomyces versatilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Gomez Gil
- Oliferenko Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- Research Faculty, The Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Snezhana Oliferenko
- Oliferenko Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Conrad A Nieduszynski
- Research Faculty, The Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brysch-Herzberg M, Jia GS, Sipiczki M, Seidel M, Zhang WC, Du LL. Reinstatement of the fission yeast species Schizosaccharomyces versatilis Wickerham et Duprat, a sibling species of Schizosaccharomyces japonicus. Yeast 2024; 41:108-127. [PMID: 38450805 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3922] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizosaccharomyces japonicus Yukawa et Maki (1931) and Schizosaccharomyces versatilis Wickerham et Duprat (1945) have been treated as varieties of S. japonicus or as conspecific, based on various approaches including mating trials and nDNA/nDNA optical reassociation studies. However, the type strains of S. japonicus and S. versatilis differ by five substitutions (99.15% identity) and one 1-bp indel in the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, and 23 substitutions (96.3% identity) and 31-bp indels in the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rRNA, suggesting that they may not be conspecific. To reassess their taxonomic status, we conducted mating trials and whole-genome analyses. Mating trials using the type strains showed a strong but incomplete prezygotic sterility barrier, yielding interspecies mating products at two orders of magnitude lower efficiency than intraspecies matings. These mating products, which were exclusively allodiploid hybrids, were unable to undergo the haplontic life cycle of the parents. We generated chromosome-level gap-less genome assemblies for both type strains. Whole genome sequences yielded an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 86.4%, indicating clear separation of S. japonicus and S. versatilis. Based on these findings, we propose the reinstatement of S. versatilis as a distinct species (holotype strain: CBS 103T and ex-types: NRRL Y-1026, NBRC 1607, ATCC 9987, PYCC 7100; Mycobank no.: 847838).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brysch-Herzberg
- Laboratory for Wine Microbiology, Department International Business, Heilbronn University, Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Guo-Song Jia
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Matthias Sipiczki
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Martin Seidel
- Laboratory for Wine Microbiology, Department International Business, Heilbronn University, Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Wen-Cai Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Lin Du
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van den Broek M, Ortiz-Merino RA, Bennis NX, Wronska AK, Hassing EJ, Daran-Lapujade P, Daran JMG. Draft genome sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SpyCas9 expressing strain IMX2600, a laboratory and platform strain from the CEN.PK lineage for cell-factory research. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0055023. [PMID: 38132639 PMCID: PMC10868256 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00550-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The biobased-economy aims to create a circular biotechnology ecosystem to transition from a fossil fuel-based to a sustainable industry based on biomass. For this, new microbial cell-factories are essential. We present the draft genome of the CEN.PK-derived Saccharomyces cerevisiae SpyCas9 expressing strain (IMX2600), that serve as chassis of new cell-factories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel van den Broek
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Raul A. Ortiz-Merino
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole X. Bennis
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Anna K. Wronska
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Else-Jasmijn Hassing
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Pascale Daran-Lapujade
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Marc G. Daran
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg, Delft, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nguyen HNA, Sharp L, Lyman E, Saenz JP. Varying the position of phospholipid acyl chain unsaturation modulates hopanoid and sterol ordering. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.06.556521. [PMID: 38370701 PMCID: PMC10871177 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.06.556521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The cell membrane must balance mechanical stability with fluidity to function as both a barrier and an organizational platform. Key to this balance is the thermodynamic ordering of lipids. Most Eukaryotes employ sterols, which are uniquely capable of modulating lipid order to decouple membrane stability from fluidity. Ancient sterol analogues known as hopanoids are found in many bacteria and are proposed as ancestral ordering lipids. The juxtaposition of sterols and hopanoids in extant organisms prompts us to ask why both pathways persist, especially in light of their convergent ability to order lipids. We reveal that both hopanoids and sterols order unsaturated phospholipids differently based on the position of double bonds in the phospholipid's acyl chain. We find that cholesterol and diplopterol's methyl group distributions lead to distinct effects on unsaturated lipids. In Mesoplasma florum, diplopterol's constrained ordering capacity reduces membrane resistance to osmotic stress, unlike cholesterol. These findings suggest cholesterol's broader lipid ordering ability may have facilitated the exploration of a more diverse lipidomic landscape in eukaryotic membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Ngoc-Anh Nguyen
- Technische Universität Dresden, B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Liam Sharp
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716
- College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824
| | - Edward Lyman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716
| | - James P Saenz
- Technische Universität Dresden, B CUBE Center for Molecular Bioengineering, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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
|
7
|
An engineered non-oxidative glycolytic bypass based on Calvin-cycle enzymes enables anaerobic co-fermentation of glucose and sorbitol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:112. [PMID: 36253796 PMCID: PMC9578259 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02200-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saccharomyces cerevisiae is intensively used for industrial ethanol production. Its native fermentation pathway enables a maximum product yield of 2 mol of ethanol per mole of glucose. Based on conservation laws, supply of additional electrons could support even higher ethanol yields. However, this option is disallowed by the configuration of the native yeast metabolic network. To explore metabolic engineering strategies for eliminating this constraint, we studied alcoholic fermentation of sorbitol. Sorbitol cannot be fermented anaerobically by S. cerevisiae because its oxidation to pyruvate via glycolysis yields one more NADH than conversion of glucose. To enable re-oxidation of this additional NADH by alcoholic fermentation, sorbitol metabolism was studied in S. cerevisiae strains that functionally express heterologous genes for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK). Together with the yeast non-oxidative pentose-phosphate pathway, these Calvin-cycle enzymes enable a bypass of the oxidative reaction in yeast glycolysis. RESULTS Consistent with earlier reports, overproduction of the native sorbitol transporter Hxt15 and the NAD+-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase Sor2 enabled aerobic, but not anaerobic growth of S. cerevisiae on sorbitol. In anaerobic, slow-growing chemostat cultures on glucose-sorbitol mixtures, functional expression of PRK-RuBisCO pathway genes enabled a 12-fold higher rate of sorbitol co-consumption than observed in a sorbitol-consuming reference strain. Consistent with the high Km for CO2 of the bacterial RuBisCO that was introduced in the engineered yeast strains, sorbitol consumption and increased ethanol formation depended on enrichment of the inlet gas with CO2. Prolonged chemostat cultivation on glucose-sorbitol mixtures led to loss of sorbitol co-fermentation. Whole-genome resequencing after prolonged cultivation suggested a trade-off between glucose-utilization and efficient fermentation of sorbitol via the PRK-RuBisCO pathway. CONCLUSIONS Combination of the native sorbitol assimilation pathway of S. cerevisiae and an engineered PRK-RuBisCO pathway enabled RuBisCO-dependent, anaerobic co-fermentation of sorbitol and glucose. This study demonstrates the potential for increasing the flexibility of redox-cofactor metabolism in anaerobic S. cerevisiae cultures and, thereby, to extend substrate range and improve product yields in anaerobic yeast-based processes by enabling entry of additional electrons.
Collapse
|
8
|
Cohen PA, Kodner RB. The earliest history of eukaryotic life: uncovering an evolutionary story through the integration of biological and geological data. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 37:246-256. [PMID: 34949483 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
While there is significant data on eukaryogenesis and the early development of the eukaryotic lineage, major uncertainties regarding their origins and evolution remain, including questions of taxonomy, timing, and paleoecology. Here we examine the origin and diversification of the eukaryotes in the Proterozoic Eon as viewed through fossils, organic biomarkers, molecular clocks, phylogenies, and redox proxies. Our interpretation of the integration of these data suggest that eukaryotes were likely aerobic and established in Proterozoic ecosystems. We argue that we must closely examine and integrate both biological and geological evidence and examine points of agreement and contention to gain new insights into the true origin and early evolutionary history of this vastly important group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe A Cohen
- Williams College Department of Geosciences, Williamstown, MA, USA.
| | - Robin B Kodner
- Western Washington University Department of Environmental Sciences, Bellingham, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bouwknegt J, Koster CC, Vos AM, Ortiz-Merino RA, Wassink M, Luttik MAH, van den Broek M, Hagedoorn PL, Pronk JT. Class-II dihydroorotate dehydrogenases from three phylogenetically distant fungi support anaerobic pyrimidine biosynthesis. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2021; 8:10. [PMID: 34656184 PMCID: PMC8520639 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-021-00117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In most fungi, quinone-dependent Class-II dihydroorotate dehydrogenases (DHODs) are essential for pyrimidine biosynthesis. Coupling of these Class-II DHODHs to mitochondrial respiration makes their in vivo activity dependent on oxygen availability. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and closely related yeast species harbor a cytosolic Class-I DHOD (Ura1) that uses fumarate as electron acceptor and thereby enables anaerobic pyrimidine synthesis. Here, we investigate DHODs from three fungi (the Neocallimastigomycete Anaeromyces robustus and the yeasts Schizosaccharomyces japonicus and Dekkera bruxellensis) that can grow anaerobically but, based on genome analysis, only harbor a Class-II DHOD. Results Heterologous expression of putative Class-II DHOD-encoding genes from fungi capable of anaerobic, pyrimidine-prototrophic growth (Arura9, SjURA9, DbURA9) in an S. cerevisiae ura1Δ strain supported aerobic as well as anaerobic pyrimidine prototrophy. A strain expressing DbURA9 showed delayed anaerobic growth without pyrimidine supplementation. Adapted faster growing DbURA9-expressing strains showed mutations in FUM1, which encodes fumarase. GFP-tagged SjUra9 and DbUra9 were localized to S. cerevisiae mitochondria, while ArUra9, whose sequence lacked a mitochondrial targeting sequence, was localized to the yeast cytosol. Experiments with cell extracts showed that ArUra9 used free FAD and FMN as electron acceptors. Expression of SjURA9 in S. cerevisiae reproducibly led to loss of respiratory competence and mitochondrial DNA. A cysteine residue (C265 in SjUra9) in the active sites of all three anaerobically active Ura9 orthologs was shown to be essential for anaerobic activity of SjUra9 but not of ArUra9. Conclusions Activity of fungal Class-II DHODs was long thought to be dependent on an active respiratory chain, which in most fungi requires the presence of oxygen. By heterologous expression experiments in S. cerevisiae, this study shows that phylogenetically distant fungi independently evolved Class-II dihydroorotate dehydrogenases that enable anaerobic pyrimidine biosynthesis. Further structure–function studies are required to understand the mechanistic basis for the anaerobic activity of Class-II DHODs and an observed loss of respiratory competence in S. cerevisiae strains expressing an anaerobically active DHOD from Sch. japonicus. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40694-021-00117-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonna Bouwknegt
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte C Koster
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Aurin M Vos
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raúl A Ortiz-Merino
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mats Wassink
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke A H Luttik
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel van den Broek
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Peter L Hagedoorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jack T Pronk
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|