Orphan SelD proteins and selenium-dependent molybdenum hydroxylases

Biol Direct. 2008 Feb 20:3:4. doi: 10.1186/1745-6150-3-4.

Abstract

Bacterial and Archaeal cells use selenium structurally in selenouridine-modified tRNAs, in proteins translated with selenocysteine, and in the selenium-dependent molybdenum hydroxylases (SDMH). The first two uses both require the selenophosphate synthetase gene, selD. Examining over 500 complete prokaryotic genomes finds selD in exactly two species lacking both the selenocysteine and selenouridine systems, Enterococcus faecalis and Haloarcula marismortui. Surrounding these orphan selD genes, forming bidirectional best hits between species, and detectable by Partial Phylogenetic Profiling vs. selD, are several candidate molybdenum hydroxylase subunits and accessory proteins. We propose that certain accessory proteins, and orphan selD itself, are markers through which new selenium-dependent molybdenum hydroxylases can be found.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Archaea / enzymology*
  • Archaea / genetics
  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecalis / enzymology
  • Enterococcus faecalis / genetics
  • Haloarcula marismortui / enzymology
  • Haloarcula marismortui / genetics
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / chemistry*
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / physiology
  • Molybdenum / chemistry
  • Molybdenum / metabolism*
  • Selenium / physiology*
  • Selenocysteine / genetics
  • Selenocysteine / physiology

Substances

  • Selenocysteine
  • Molybdenum
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • Selenium