Two Novel S-methyltransferases Confer Dimethylsulfide Production in Actinomycetota.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methanethiol (MeSH), and dimethylsulfide (DMS) are abundant sulfur gases with crucial roles in global sulfur cycling, chemotaxis, and climate regulation. Microorganisms can S-methylate H₂S and MeSH, which can be cytotoxic, to yield non-toxic DMS via MddA or MddH enzymes in largely terrestrial or marine environments, respectively. However, the potential of many important and abundant bacteria like Actinomycetota is underestimated due to unknown Mdd enzymes. Here, two novel S-adenosine-methionine-dependent H₂S and MeSH S-methyltransferases, MddM1 and MddM2 are identified, in the DMS-producing actinomycete Mycolicibacterium poriferae (M. poriferae) ZYF656, isolated from the Mariana Trench. M. poriferae ZYF656 MddM1 and MddM2 likely deto

SUBMITTER: Guo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904073 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature