Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Oxidation of Fe(II) leads to increased C-2 methylation of pentacyclic triterpenoids in the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain TIE-1

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Daniel Birgel, Dr Helen Talbot

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Hopanoids are among the most widespread biomarkers of bacteria that are used as indicators for past and present bacterial activity. Our understanding of the production, function, and distribution of hopanoids in bacteria has improved greatly, partly due to genetic, culture-independent studies. Culture-based studies are important to determine hopanoid function and the environmental conditions under which these compounds are produced. This study compares the lipid inventory of Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain TIE-1 under anoxic photoautotrophic conditions using either H2 or Fe(II) as electron donor. The high amount to which adenosylhopane is produced irrespective of the used electron donor suggests a specific function of this compound rather than its exclusive role as an intermediate in bacteriohopanepolyol biosynthesis. C-2 methylated hopanoids and tetrahymanol account for as much as 59% of the respective C-2 methylated/non-methylated homologs during growth with Fe(II) as electron donor, as compared with 24% C-2 methylation for growth with H2. This observation reveals that C-2 methylated hopanoids have a specific function and are preferentially synthesized in response to elevated Fe(II) concentrations. The presence of C-2 methylated pentacyclic triterpenoids has commonly been used as a biosignature for the interpretation of paleoenvironments. These new findings suggest that increased C-2 methylation may indicate anoxic ferrous conditions, in addition to other environmental stressors that have been previously reported.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Eickhoff M, Birgel D, Talbot HM, Peckmann J, Kappler A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Geobiology

Year: 2013

Volume: 11

Issue: 3

Pages: 268-278

Print publication date: 09/03/2013

ISSN (print): 1472-4677

ISSN (electronic): 1472-4669

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12033

DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12033


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
12-1Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
KA 1736/4-1Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Share