C-4 sterol demethylation enzymes distinguish bacterial and eukaryotic sterol synthesis.

ABSTRACT: Sterols are essential eukaryotic lipids that are required for a variety of physiological roles. The diagenetic products of sterol lipids, sterane hydrocarbons, are preserved in ancient sedimentary rocks and are utilized as geological biomarkers, indicating the presence of both eukaryotes and oxic environments throughout Earth's history. However, a few bacterial species are also known to produce sterols, bringing into question the significance of bacterial sterol synthesis for our interpretation of sterane biomarkers. Recent studies suggest that bacterial sterol synthesis may be distinct from what is observed in eukaryotes. In particular, phylogenomic analyses of sterol-producing bacteria have failed to identify homologs of several key eukaryotic sterol synthesis enzymes, most notably those

SUBMITTER: Lee AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003346 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature