Notice: This is an archived and unmaintained page. For current information, please browse astrobiology.nasa.gov.

2012 Annual Science Report

Montana State University Reporting  |  SEP 2011 – AUG 2012

Molecular Evolution: A Top Down Approach to Examine the Origin of Key Biochemical Processes

Project Summary

The emergence of metalloenzymes capable of activating substrates such as CO, N2, and H2, were significant advancements in biochemical reactivity and in the evolution of complex life. Examples of such enzymes include [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenase that function in H2 metabolism, Mo-, V-, and Fe-nitrogenases that function in N2 reduction, and CO dehydrogenases that function in the oxidation of CO. Many of these metalloenzymes have closely related paralogs that catalyze distinctly different chemistries, an example being nitrogenase and its closely related paralog protochlorophyllide reductase that functions in the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophyll (photosynthesis). By specifically focusing on the origin and subsequent evolution of these metallocluster biosynthesis proteins in relation to paralogous proteins that have left clear evidence in the geological record (photosynthesis and the rise of O2), we have been able to obtain significant insight into the origin and evolution of these functional processes, and to place these events in evolutionary time.

The genomes of extant organisms provide detailed histories of key events in the evolution of complex biological processes such as CO, N2, and H2 metabolism. Advances in sequencing technology continue to increase the pace by which unique (meta)genomic data is being generated. This now makes it possible to seamlessly integrate genomic information into an evolutionary context and evaluate key events in the evolution of biological processes (e.g., gene duplications, fusions, and recruitments) within an Earth history framework. Here we describe progress in using such approaches in examining the evolution of CO, N2, and H2 metabolism.

4 Institutions
3 Teams
0 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites
  • PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
    John Peters John Peters
    Project Investigator
  • PROJECT MEMBERS:
    Eric Boyd
    Co-Investigator

    Joan Broderick
    Co-Investigator

    Shawn McGlynn
    Collaborator

    Eric Shepard
    Postdoc

    Ben Duffus
    Doctoral Student

    Trinity Hamilton
    Doctoral Student

  • RELATED OBJECTIVES:
    Objective 3.2
    Origins and evolution of functional biomolecules

    Objective 4.1
    Earth's early biosphere.

    Objective 5.1
    Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms