{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Alternative dimethylsulfoniopropionate biosynthesis enzymes in diverse and abundant microorganisms.
{Author}: Wang J;Curson ARJ;Zhou S;Carrión O;Liu J;Vieira AR;Walsham KS;Monaco S;Li CY;Dong QY;Wang Y;Rivera PPL;Wang XD;Zhang M;Hanwell L;Wallace M;Zhu XY;Leão PN;Lea-Smith DJ;Zhang YZ;Zhang XH;Todd JD;
{Journal}: Nat Microbiol
{Volume}: 9
{Issue}: 8
{Year}: 2024 Aug 11
{Factor}: 30.964
{DOI}: 10.1038/s41564-024-01715-9
{Abstract}: Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an abundant marine organosulfur compound with roles in stress protection, chemotaxis, nutrient and sulfur cycling and climate regulation. Here we report the discovery of a bifunctional DMSP biosynthesis enzyme, DsyGD, in the transamination pathway of the rhizobacterium Gynuella sunshinyii and some filamentous cyanobacteria not previously known to produce DMSP. DsyGD produces DMSP through its N-terminal DsyG methylthiohydroxybutyrate S-methyltransferase and C-terminal DsyD dimethylsulfoniohydroxybutyrate decarboxylase domains. Phylogenetically distinct DsyG-like proteins, termed DSYE, with methylthiohydroxybutyrate S-methyltransferase activity were found in diverse and environmentally abundant algae, comprising a mix of low, high and previously unknown DMSP producers. Algae containing DSYE, particularly bloom-forming Pelagophyceae species, were globally more abundant DMSP producers than those with previously described DMSP synthesis genes. This work greatly increases the number and diversity of predicted DMSP-producing organisms and highlights the importance of Pelagophyceae and other DSYE-containing algae in global DMSP production and sulfur cycling.