Abstract
BackgroundThe compatible solute trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide, which accumulates upon heat, cold or osmotic stress. It was commonly accepted that trehalose is only present in extremophiles or cryptobiotic organisms. However, in recent years it has been shown that although higher plants do not accumulate trehalose at significant levels they have actively transcribed genes encoding the corresponding biosynthetic enzymes.ResultsIn this study we show that trehalose biosynthesis ability is present in eubacteria, archaea, plants, fungi and animals. In bacteria there are five different biosynthetic routes, whereas in fungi, plants and animals there is only one. We present phylogenetic analyses of the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-phosphatase (TPP) domains and show that there is a close evolutionary relationship between these domains in proteins from diverse organisms. In bacteria TPS and TPP genes are clustered, whereas in eukaryotes these domains are fused in a single protein.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that trehalose biosynthesis pathways are widely distributed in nature. Interestingly, several eubacterial species have multiple pathways, while eukaryotes have only the TPS/TPP pathway. Vertebrates lack trehalose biosynthetic capacity but can catabolise it. TPS and TPP domains have evolved mainly in parallel and it is likely that they have experienced several instances of gene duplication and lateral gene transfer.
Highlights
The compatible solute trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide, which accumulates upon heat, cold or osmotic stress
The presence in the completely sequenced genomes of genes coding for the trehalose biosynthetic enzymes was analysed. We found that these enzymes are widely distributed in the three domains of life and many organisms have more than one, and sometimes several pathways for trehalose synthesis
Distribution of trehalose pathways To identify genes involved in the five known pathways for trehalose biosynthesis, we carried out BLAST searches [33] using the amino acid sequences from enzymes of several
Summary
The compatible solute trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide, which accumulates upon heat, cold or osmotic stress. One of the fundamental challenges for an organism is to survive changes in the physical environment-mainly extreme temperatures, salinity, or dehydration. This problem was to be solved very early in evolution since the first cells inhabited the primitive seas [1,2]. Other organisms when exposed to extreme conditions have a drastically different adaptation to contend with stress They evolved biosynthetic pathways for osmotically active compounds, cryoprotectants or thermoprotectants, enabling survival until conditions are favourable again. Among these compounds are polyols such as mannitol,
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
