Common origin of sterol biosynthesis points to a feeding strategy shift in Neoproterozoic animals
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Common origin of sterol biosynthesis points to a feeding strategy shift in Neoproterozoic animals. / Brunoir, T.; Mulligan, C.; Sistiaga, A.; Vuu, K. M.; Shih, P. M.; O’Reilly, S. S.; Summons, R. E.; Gold, D. A.
In: Nature Communications, Vol. 14, 7941, 2023.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Common origin of sterol biosynthesis points to a feeding strategy shift in Neoproterozoic animals
AU - Brunoir, T.
AU - Mulligan, C.
AU - Sistiaga, A.
AU - Vuu, K. M.
AU - Shih, P. M.
AU - O’Reilly, S. S.
AU - Summons, R. E.
AU - Gold, D. A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Steranes preserved in sedimentary rocks serve as molecular fossils, which are thought to record the expansion of eukaryote life through the Neoproterozoic Era (~ 1000-541 Ma). Scientists hypothesize that ancient C27 steranes originated from cholesterol, the major sterol produced by living red algae and animals. Similarly, C28 and C29 steranes are thought to be derived from the sterols of prehistoric fungi, green algae, and other microbial eukaryotes. However, recent work on annelid worms–an advanced group of eumetazoan animals–shows that they are also capable of producing C28 and C29 sterols. In this paper, we explore the evolutionary history of the 24-C sterol methyltransferase (smt) gene in animals, which is required to make C28+ sterols. We find evidence that the smt gene was vertically inherited through animals, suggesting early eumetazoans were capable of C28+ sterol synthesis. Our molecular clock of the animal smt gene demonstrates that its diversification coincides with the rise of C28 and C29 steranes in the Neoproterozoic. This study supports the hypothesis that early eumetazoans were capable of making C28+ sterols and that many animal lineages independently abandoned its biosynthesis around the end-Neoproterozoic, coinciding with the rise of abundant eukaryotic prey.
AB - Steranes preserved in sedimentary rocks serve as molecular fossils, which are thought to record the expansion of eukaryote life through the Neoproterozoic Era (~ 1000-541 Ma). Scientists hypothesize that ancient C27 steranes originated from cholesterol, the major sterol produced by living red algae and animals. Similarly, C28 and C29 steranes are thought to be derived from the sterols of prehistoric fungi, green algae, and other microbial eukaryotes. However, recent work on annelid worms–an advanced group of eumetazoan animals–shows that they are also capable of producing C28 and C29 sterols. In this paper, we explore the evolutionary history of the 24-C sterol methyltransferase (smt) gene in animals, which is required to make C28+ sterols. We find evidence that the smt gene was vertically inherited through animals, suggesting early eumetazoans were capable of C28+ sterol synthesis. Our molecular clock of the animal smt gene demonstrates that its diversification coincides with the rise of C28 and C29 steranes in the Neoproterozoic. This study supports the hypothesis that early eumetazoans were capable of making C28+ sterols and that many animal lineages independently abandoned its biosynthesis around the end-Neoproterozoic, coinciding with the rise of abundant eukaryotic prey.
U2 - 10.1038/s41467-023-43545-z
DO - 10.1038/s41467-023-43545-z
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38040676
AN - SCOPUS:85178340543
VL - 14
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
SN - 2041-1723
M1 - 7941
ER -
ID: 376291566