title: Characterization of a novel selenium methyltransferase from freshwater bacteria showing strong similarities with the calicheamicin methyltransferase.
abstract: A novel group of Se-methyltransferases is presented. The genetic determinant, named mmtA, which revealed this group was isolated from selenite and selenate-resistant freshwater bacteria. E. coli expressing mmtA and grown with a Se supplement emitted dimethyl selenide (DMSe) and dimethyl diselenide (DMDSe). Phylogenetic analysis divided MmtA-like bacterial sequences into two clusters, one grouping MmtA with S- and O-methyltransferases, and one grouping UbiE C-methyltransferases. Se methylation by some of these MmtA phyletic neighbours was investigated.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Opportunistic Pathogens and Environment, UMR CNRS 5557 Ecologie Microbienne (Centre for Microbial Ecology), Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, Villeurbanne Cédex, France.
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ranjard
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prigent-Combaret
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Favre-Bonté
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monnez
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazaret
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cournoyer
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D008780:Methyltransferases