De novo phytosterol synthesis in animals

Michellod D.; Bien T.; Birgel D.; Violette M.; Kleiner M.; Fearn S.; Zeidler C.; Gruber-Vodicka H.R.; Dubilier N.; Liebeke M.

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

Sterols are vital for nearly all eukaryotes. Their distribution differs in plants and animals, with phytosterols commonly found in plants whereas most animals are dominated by cholesterol. We show that sitosterol, a common sterol of plants, is the most abundant sterol in gutless marine annelids. Using multiomics, metabolite imaging, heterologous gene expression, and enzyme assays, we show that these animals synthesize sitosterol de novo using a noncanonical C-24 sterol methyltransferase (C24-SMT). This enzyme is essential for sitosterol synthesis in plants, but not known from most bilaterian animals. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that C24-SMTs are present in representatives of at least five animal phyla, indicating that the synthesis of sterols common to plants is more widespread in animals than currently known.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftScience (Sci)
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume380
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue6644
Seitenbereich520-526
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2023 (05.05.2023)
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.1126/science.add7830
Link zum Volltexthttps://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85159550701
StichwörterAnimals; Cholesterol; Phylogeny; Plants; Sitosterols; Annelida

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Bien, Tanja
Institut für Hygiene