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Convergent Evolution of Ergothioneine Biosynthesis in Cyanobacteria
Author(s) -
Liao Cangsong,
Seebeck Florian P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201700354
Subject(s) - ergothioneine , biosynthesis , cyanobacteria , biochemistry , atp synthase , chemistry , cystathionine beta synthase , biology , enzyme , bacteria , cysteine , genetics , antioxidant
Biosynthesis of N ‐α‐trimethyl‐2‐thiohistidine (ergothioneine) is a frequent trait in cyanobacteria. This sulfur compound may provide essential relief from oxidative stress related to oxygenic photosynthesis. The central steps in ergothioneine biosynthesis are catalyzed by a histidine methyltransferase and an iron‐dependent sulfoxide synthase. In this report, we present evidence that some cyanobacteria recruited and adapted a sulfoxide synthase from a different biosynthetic pathway to make ergothioneine. The discovery of a second origin of ergothioneine production underscores the physiological importance of this metabolite and highlights the evolutionary malleability of the thiohistidine biosynthetic machinery.