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The polyketide to fatty acid transition in the evolution of animal lipid metabolism

Author

Listed:
  • Zhenjian Lin

    (University of Utah)

  • Feng Li

    (University of Utah)

  • Patrick J. Krug

    (California State University)

  • Eric W. Schmidt

    (University of Utah)

Abstract

Animals synthesize simple lipids using a distinct fatty acid synthase (FAS) related to the type I polyketide synthase (PKS) enzymes that produce complex specialized metabolites. The evolutionary origin of the animal FAS and its relationship to the diversity of PKSs remain unclear despite the critical role of lipid synthesis in cellular metabolism. Recently, an animal FAS-like PKS (AFPK) was identified in sacoglossan molluscs. Here, we explore the phylogenetic distribution of AFPKs and other PKS and FAS enzymes across the tree of life. We found AFPKs widely distributed in arthropods and molluscs (>6300 newly described AFPK sequences). The AFPKs form a clade with the animal FAS, providing an evolutionary link bridging the type I PKSs and the animal FAS. We found molluscan AFPK diversification correlated with shell loss, suggesting AFPKs provide a chemical defense. Arthropods have few or no PKSs, but our results indicate AFPKs contributed to their ecological and evolutionary success by facilitating branched hydrocarbon and pheromone biosynthesis. Although animal metabolism is well studied, surprising new metabolic enzyme classes such as AFPKs await discovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenjian Lin & Feng Li & Patrick J. Krug & Eric W. Schmidt, 2024. "The polyketide to fatty acid transition in the evolution of animal lipid metabolism," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44497-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44497-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicole King & M. Jody Westbrook & Susan L. Young & Alan Kuo & Monika Abedin & Jarrod Chapman & Stephen Fairclough & Uffe Hellsten & Yoh Isogai & Ivica Letunic & Michael Marr & David Pincus & Nicholas , 2008. "The genome of the choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis and the origin of metazoans," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7180), pages 783-788, February.
    2. Joshua P. Torres & Zhenjian Lin & Jaclyn M. Winter & Patrick J. Krug & Eric W. Schmidt, 2020. "Animal biosynthesis of complex polyketides in a photosynthetic partnership," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
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