Biosynthesis of GMGT lipids by a radical SAM enzyme associated with anaerobic archaea and oxygen-deficient environments

Yanan Li, Ting Yu, Xi Feng, Bo Zhao, Huahui Chen, Huan Yang, Xing Chen, Xiao-Hua Zhang, Hayden R. Anderson, Noah Z. Burns, Fuxing Zeng (), Lizhi Tao () and Zhirui Zeng ()
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Yanan Li: Southern University of Science and Technology
Ting Yu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Xi Feng: Southern University of Science and Technology
Bo Zhao: Southern University of Science and Technology
Huahui Chen: Southern University of Science and Technology
Huan Yang: China University of Geosciences
Xing Chen: Ocean University of China
Xiao-Hua Zhang: Ocean University of China
Hayden R. Anderson: Stanford University
Noah Z. Burns: Stanford University
Fuxing Zeng: Southern University of Science and Technology
Lizhi Tao: Southern University of Science and Technology
Zhirui Zeng: Southern University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Archaea possess characteristic membrane-spanning lipids that are thought to contribute to the adaptation to extreme environments. However, the biosynthesis of these lipids is poorly understood. Here, we identify a radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzyme that synthesizes glycerol monoalkyl glycerol tetraethers (GMGTs). The enzyme, which we name GMGT synthase (Gms), catalyzes the formation of a C(sp3)–C(sp3) linkage between the two isoprenoid chains of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). This conclusion is supported by heterologous expression of gene gms from a GMGT-producing species in a methanogen, as well as demonstration of in vitro activity using purified Gms enzyme. Additionally, we show that genes encoding putative Gms homologs are present in obligate anaerobic archaea and in metagenomes obtained from oxygen-deficient environments, and appear to be absent in metagenomes from oxic settings.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49650-x

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