Primordial‐like enzymes from bacteria with reduced genomes

• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13737
• Publication Date: 2017-06-22T15:06:38Z
• Authors: Matteo P. Ferla; Jodi L. Brewster; Kelsi R. Hall; Gary B. Evans; Wayne M. Patrick
• Keywords: Thermotoga maritima; Lyase

The first cells probably possessed rudimentary metabolic networks, built using a handful of multifunctional enzymes. promiscuous activities modern enzymes are often assumed to be relics this primordial era; however, by definition these no longer physiological. There many fewer examples single active site catalyze multiple physiologically-relevant reactions. Previously, we characterized the alanine racemase (ALR) activity Escherichia coli cystathionine β-lyase (CBL). Now have discovered that several bacteria with reduced genomes lack alr, but contain metC (encoding CBL). We CBL from three these: Pelagibacter ubique, Wolbachia endosymbiont Drosophila melanogaster (wMel) and Thermotoga maritima. Each is CBL/ALR. However, also show required in bacteria. Instead, wMel T. maritima physiologically bi-functional alanine/glutamate racemases. They not highly active, they clearly sufficient. Given abundance microorganisms them, suggest much planet's biochemistry carried out quite different highly-active exemplars usually found textbooks. primordial-like may an essential part adaptive strategy associated streamlining.