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Background  Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) are closely related elements that exhibit similar chemical properties. Some genes related to S metabolism are also involved in Se utilization in many organisms. However, the evolutionary relationship between the two utilization traits is unclear.    Results  In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the selenophosphate synthetase (SelD) family, a key protein for all known Se utilization traits, in all sequenced archaea. Our search showed a very limited distribution of SelD and Se utilization in this kingdom. Interestingly, a SelD-like protein was detected in two orders of Crenarchaeota: Sulfolobales and Thermoproteales. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that SelD-like protein contains the same domain and conserved functional residues as those of SelD, and might be involved in S metabolism in these S-reducing organisms. Further genome-wide analysis of patterns of gene occurrence in different thermoproteales suggested that several genes, including SirA-like, Prx-like and adenylylsulfate reductase, were strongly related to SelD-like gene. Based on these findings, we proposed a simple model wherein SelD-like may play an important role in the biosynthesis of certain thiophosphate compound.    Conclusions  Our data suggest novel genes involved in S metabolism in hyperthermophilic S-reducing archaea, and may provide a new window for understanding the complex relationship between Se and S metabolism in archaea.    Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-908) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Computational identification of a new SelD-like family that may participate in sulfur metabolism in hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaea