Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions
Abstract Isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers are key archaeal lipids widely applied in biogeochemistry. Compounds with zero cyclopentane rings and those with four cyclopentane and one cyclohexane ring dominate in marine sediments and are crucial for investigating archaeal evolution and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Communications Earth & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02450-7 |
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| author | Siqi Zhao Rui Bao Long Zhou Mingzhi Liu Xiang Sun Zhen Gao Yang Zhou Nan Wang Yipeng Wang Junhui Chen Lei Xing Chuanlun Zhang |
| author_facet | Siqi Zhao Rui Bao Long Zhou Mingzhi Liu Xiang Sun Zhen Gao Yang Zhou Nan Wang Yipeng Wang Junhui Chen Lei Xing Chuanlun Zhang |
| author_sort | Siqi Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers are key archaeal lipids widely applied in biogeochemistry. Compounds with zero cyclopentane rings and those with four cyclopentane and one cyclohexane ring dominate in marine sediments and are crucial for investigating archaeal evolution and adaptation. However, the mechanisms regulating their distribution patterns remain unclear. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to examine their structural properties under increasing temperatures and find that temperature-dependent behaviors govern their global spatial distributions. Consistent distribution patterns across different geological epochs, revealed by thousands of geochemical records, suggest that Earth’s temperature may have constrained long-term temporal trends of archaeal lipids. Reinforcement learning results further show that average atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since the Late Jurassic are closely associated with these two archaeal lipid distribution patterns, enabling predictions for more ancient sedimentary records, which can benefit for understanding the long-term adaptation strategy for the evolutionary and ecological significance of archaea. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7daeb1e4b10a4ef89a798a64efd17496 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4435 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Earth & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-7daeb1e4b10a4ef89a798a64efd174962025-08-20T03:46:16ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-08-016111110.1038/s43247-025-02450-7Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributionsSiqi Zhao0Rui Bao1Long Zhou2Mingzhi Liu3Xiang Sun4Zhen Gao5Yang Zhou6Nan Wang7Yipeng Wang8Junhui Chen9Lei Xing10Chuanlun Zhang11Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaSchool of Mathematical Sciences, Ocean University of ChinaSchool of Mathematical Sciences, Ocean University of ChinaGuangzhou Marine Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Ministry of Land and ResourcesFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Lab of Submarine, Ocean University of ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaMarine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural ResourcesFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/Institute for Advanced Ocean Studies, Ocean University of ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo‑Omics, Southern University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers are key archaeal lipids widely applied in biogeochemistry. Compounds with zero cyclopentane rings and those with four cyclopentane and one cyclohexane ring dominate in marine sediments and are crucial for investigating archaeal evolution and adaptation. However, the mechanisms regulating their distribution patterns remain unclear. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to examine their structural properties under increasing temperatures and find that temperature-dependent behaviors govern their global spatial distributions. Consistent distribution patterns across different geological epochs, revealed by thousands of geochemical records, suggest that Earth’s temperature may have constrained long-term temporal trends of archaeal lipids. Reinforcement learning results further show that average atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since the Late Jurassic are closely associated with these two archaeal lipid distribution patterns, enabling predictions for more ancient sedimentary records, which can benefit for understanding the long-term adaptation strategy for the evolutionary and ecological significance of archaea.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02450-7 |
| spellingShingle | Siqi Zhao Rui Bao Long Zhou Mingzhi Liu Xiang Sun Zhen Gao Yang Zhou Nan Wang Yipeng Wang Junhui Chen Lei Xing Chuanlun Zhang Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions Communications Earth & Environment |
| title | Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| title_full | Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| title_fullStr | Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| title_short | Temperature-dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| title_sort | temperature dependent spatial and temporal trends in archaeal lipid distributions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02450-7 |
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