Sterol methyltransferases in uncultured bacteria complicate eukaryotic biomarker interpretations

Brown, Malory O.; Olagunju, Babatunde O.; Giner, José-Luis; Welander, Paula V.

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-37552-3

Title: Sterol methyltransferases in uncultured bacteria complicate eukaryotic biomarker interpretations

Journal Article · 02 April 2023 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37552-3 · OSTI ID:1968117

; Olagunju, Babatunde O.;

;

Abstract Sterane molecular fossils are broadly interpreted as eukaryotic biomarkers, although diverse bacteria also produce sterols. Steranes with side-chain methylations can act as more specific biomarkers if their sterol precursors are limited to particular eukaryotes and are absent in bacteria. One such sterane, 24-isopropylcholestane, has been attributed to demosponges and potentially represents the earliest evidence for animals on Earth, but enzymes that methylate sterols to give the 24-isopropyl side-chain remain undiscovered. Here, we show that sterol methyltransferases from both sponges and yet-uncultured bacteria function in vitro and identify three methyltransferases from symbiotic bacteria each capable of sequential methylations resulting in the 24-isopropyl sterol side-chain. We demonstrate that bacteria have the genomic capacity to synthesize side-chain alkylated sterols, and that bacterial symbionts may contribute to 24-isopropyl sterol biosynthesis in demosponges. Together, our results suggest bacteria should not be dismissed as potential contributing sources of side-chain alkylated sterane biomarkers in the rock record.

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Research Organization:: USDOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Walnut Creek, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1968117

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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