The Enzymatic and Metabolic Capabilities of Early Life

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039912
• Publication Date: 2012-09-10T21:07:57Z
• Authors: Aaron David Goldman; John A. Baross; Ram Samudrala
• Keywords: Metabolic pathway; Metabolic network

We introduce the concept of metaconsensus and employ it to make high confidence predictions early enzyme functions metabolic properties that they may have produced. Several independent studies used comparative bioinformatics methods identify taxonomically broad features genomic sequence data, protein structure pathway data in order predict physiological were present early, ancestral life forms. But all such carry with them some level technical bias. Here, we cross-reference results these previous determine predicted be ancient by multiple methods. survey modern pathways those maintain highest frequency enzymes. Using full set reactions catalyzed functions, reconstruct a representative network reflect core metabolism Our show ten four hydrolases, three transferases, one oxidoreductase, lyase, ligase, are determined at least as late last universal common ancestor. Subnetworks within central processes related sugar starch metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, phospholipid CoA frequencies functions. demonstrate large can generated from this small number