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Sterol methyltransferases in uncultured bacteria complicate eukaryotic biomarker interpretations

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  • Malory O. Brown

    (Stanford University)

  • Babatunde O. Olagunju

    (State University of New York-Environmental Science and Forestry)

  • José-Luis Giner

    (State University of New York-Environmental Science and Forestry)

  • Paula V. Welander

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

Sterane molecular fossils are broadly interpreted as eukaryotic biomarkers, although diverse bacteria also produce sterols. Steranes with side-chain methylations can act as more specific biomarkers if their sterol precursors are limited to particular eukaryotes and are absent in bacteria. One such sterane, 24-isopropylcholestane, has been attributed to demosponges and potentially represents the earliest evidence for animals on Earth, but enzymes that methylate sterols to give the 24-isopropyl side-chain remain undiscovered. Here, we show that sterol methyltransferases from both sponges and yet-uncultured bacteria function in vitro and identify three methyltransferases from symbiotic bacteria each capable of sequential methylations resulting in the 24-isopropyl sterol side-chain. We demonstrate that bacteria have the genomic capacity to synthesize side-chain alkylated sterols, and that bacterial symbionts may contribute to 24-isopropyl sterol biosynthesis in demosponges. Together, our results suggest bacteria should not be dismissed as potential contributing sources of side-chain alkylated sterane biomarkers in the rock record.

Suggested Citation

  • Malory O. Brown & Babatunde O. Olagunju & José-Luis Giner & Paula V. Welander, 2023. "Sterol methyltransferases in uncultured bacteria complicate eukaryotic biomarker interpretations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37552-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37552-3
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    1. T. Brunoir & C. Mulligan & A. Sistiaga & K. M. Vuu & P. M. Shih & S. S. O’Reilly & R. E. Summons & D. A. Gold, 2023. "Common origin of sterol biosynthesis points to a feeding strategy shift in Neoproterozoic animals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.

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