Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences
Abstract In all domains of life, the biosynthesis of the pterin-based Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is crucial. Molybdenum (Mo) becomes biologically active by integrating into a unique pyranopterin scaffold, forming Moco. The final two steps of Moco biosynthesis are catalyzed by the two-domain enzyme M...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
|
| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07073-w |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850181495269883904 |
|---|---|
| author | Miriam Rabenow Eduard Haar Katharina Schmidt Robert Hänsch Ralf R. Mendel Kevin D. Oliphant |
| author_facet | Miriam Rabenow Eduard Haar Katharina Schmidt Robert Hänsch Ralf R. Mendel Kevin D. Oliphant |
| author_sort | Miriam Rabenow |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In all domains of life, the biosynthesis of the pterin-based Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is crucial. Molybdenum (Mo) becomes biologically active by integrating into a unique pyranopterin scaffold, forming Moco. The final two steps of Moco biosynthesis are catalyzed by the two-domain enzyme Mo insertase, linked by gene fusion in higher organisms. Despite well-understood Moco biosynthesis, the evolutionary significance of Mo insertase fusion remains unclear. Here, we present findings from Neurospora crassa that shed light on the critical role of Mo insertase fusion in eukaryotes. Substituting the linkage region with sequences from other species resulted in Moco deficiency, and separate expression of domains, as seen in lower organisms, failed to rescue deficient strains. Stepwise truncation and structural modeling revealed a crucial 20-amino acid sequence within the linkage region essential for fungal growth. Our findings highlight the evolutionary importance of gene fusion and specific sequence composition in eukaryotic Mo insertases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-701bceec99d346f5bd0dd2bd5a7bd08f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-701bceec99d346f5bd0dd2bd5a7bd08f2025-08-20T02:17:53ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422024-10-017111210.1038/s42003-024-07073-wConvergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequencesMiriam Rabenow0Eduard Haar1Katharina Schmidt2Robert Hänsch3Ralf R. Mendel4Kevin D. Oliphant5Department of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigDepartment of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigDepartment of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigDepartment of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigDepartment of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigDepartment of Plant Biology, Technische Universität BraunschweigAbstract In all domains of life, the biosynthesis of the pterin-based Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is crucial. Molybdenum (Mo) becomes biologically active by integrating into a unique pyranopterin scaffold, forming Moco. The final two steps of Moco biosynthesis are catalyzed by the two-domain enzyme Mo insertase, linked by gene fusion in higher organisms. Despite well-understood Moco biosynthesis, the evolutionary significance of Mo insertase fusion remains unclear. Here, we present findings from Neurospora crassa that shed light on the critical role of Mo insertase fusion in eukaryotes. Substituting the linkage region with sequences from other species resulted in Moco deficiency, and separate expression of domains, as seen in lower organisms, failed to rescue deficient strains. Stepwise truncation and structural modeling revealed a crucial 20-amino acid sequence within the linkage region essential for fungal growth. Our findings highlight the evolutionary importance of gene fusion and specific sequence composition in eukaryotic Mo insertases.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07073-w |
| spellingShingle | Miriam Rabenow Eduard Haar Katharina Schmidt Robert Hänsch Ralf R. Mendel Kevin D. Oliphant Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences Communications Biology |
| title | Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences |
| title_full | Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences |
| title_fullStr | Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences |
| title_short | Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences |
| title_sort | convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism specific sequences |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07073-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT miriamrabenow convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences AT eduardhaar convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences AT katharinaschmidt convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences AT roberthansch convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences AT ralfrmendel convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences AT kevindoliphant convergentevolutionlinksmolybdenuminsertasedomainswithorganismspecificsequences |