Disentangling the lipid divide: Identification of key enzymes for the biosynthesis of unusual Membrane-spanning and Ether lipids in Bacteria

• DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.21.487849
• Publication Date: 2022-05-18T10:22:23Z
• Authors: Diana X. Sahonero...; Melvin Siliakus; Alejandro Abdala ...; Michel Koenen; F. A. Bastiaan vo...; Sjef Boeren; Nicole J. Bale; Julia C. Engelman; Kerstin Fiege; Lora Strack van S...; Jaap S. Sinninghe...; Laura Villanueva
• Keywords: Membrane Lipids

Bacterial membranes are composed of fatty acids (FAs) ester-linked to glycerol-3-phosphate, while archaea possess made isoprenoid chains ether-linked glycerol-1-phosphate. Many archaeal species organize their membrane as a monolayer membrane-spanning lipids (MSLs). Exceptions this ‘lipid divide’ the production by some bacterial (ether-bound) MSLs, formed tail-tail condensation resulting in formation ( iso ) diabolic (DAs), which likely precursors paleoclimatological relevant branched glycerol dialkyl tetraether molecules. However, enzymes responsible for unknown. Here, we report discovery reaction and ether bond formation, confirm that building blocks -DA -FAs. Phylogenomic analyses key biosynthetic genes reveal much wider diversity potential MSL (ether)-producing bacteria than previously thought, with significant implications our understanding evolution lipid membranes.