Evolution of acetoclastic methanogenesis in Methanosarcina via horizontal gene transfer from cellulolytic Clostridia.
Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that two genes required for acetoclastic methanogenesis, ackA and pta, were horizontally transferred to the ancestor of Methanosarcina from a derived cellulolytic organism in the class Clostridia. This event likely occurred within the last 475 million years, causing profound changes in planetary methane biogeochemistry.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-31258, USA.
Gregory P
GP
Fournier
J Peter
JP
Gogarten
D000084:Acetate Kinase / Q000235:genetics*; D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D046973:Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D048013:Acetivibrio thermocellus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D017020:Methanosarcina / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010709:Phosphate Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny
D002482:Cellulose; D010709:Phosphate Acetyltransferase; D000084:Acetate Kinase; D008697:Methane; D019342:Acetic Acid