Cyanobacteria produce high levels of ergothioneine

Pfeiffer, Carolin; Bauer, Tim; Surek, Barbara; Schömig, Edgar; Gründemann, Dirk

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.06.047

Cited by 121 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Furthermore in the vast majority of cases both of these genes are genetically linked as they are found in close proximity to one another. Previous biochemical analyses have shown that Cyanobacterial species produce high levels of EGT even though they are missing orthologs of egtA, egtC and egtE (Pfeiffer et al, 2011). This indicates that EgtB and EgtD are key enzymes in the production of EGT and the enzymatic functions of EgtA, EgtC and EgtE may be performed by other as of yet unknown enzymes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown that bacterial species that are missing orthologs of egtA, egtC and egtE are still able to produce EGT (Pfeiffer et al, 2011) indicating that they may not be universally essential enzymes in its synthesis. Conceivably, their enzymatic function, may be complemented by other enzymes or chemical means.…”

Section: The 5-gene Egt Cluster Is Only Found In the Actinomycetesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EGT was first isolated from the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea (Tanret, 1909) and subsequent observational studies suggested that it is primarily synthesized by fungal species and a number of bacterial species particularly those belonging to the Actinobacterial and Cyanobacterial phyla (Genghof, 1970;Genghof and Vandamme, 1964;Genghof et al, 1956;Pfeiffer et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animals acquire EGT from food including mushrooms, garlic, wheat, oats and beans which have been shown to have concentrations of EGT ranging from 210 ng mg −1 to 2600 ng mg − 1 (Dubost et al, 2007). After ingestion EGT is retained with minimal metabolism (Pfeiffer et al, 2011). In humans, EGT is concentrated in erythrocyte progenitor cells, monocytes, the intestine and kidneys.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolutionary history of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the antioxidant ergothioneine

Jones

Doyle

Fitzpatrick

2014

Gene

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Ergothioneine (EGT) is a histidine betaine derivative that exhibits antioxidant action in humans. EGT is primarily synthesized by fungal species and a number of bacterial species. A five-gene cluster (egtA, egtB, egtC, egtD & egtE) responsible for EGT production in Mycobacteria smegmatis has recently been identified. The first fungal biosynthetic EGT gene (NcEgt-1) has also been identified in Neurospora crassa. NcEgt-1 contains domains similar to those found in M. smegmatis egtB and egtD. EGT is biomembrane impermeable. Here we inferred the evolutionary history of the EGT cluster in prokaryotes as well as examining the phyletic distribution of Egt-1 in the fungal kingdom. A genomic survey of 2509 prokaryotes showed that the five-gene EGT cluster is only found in the Actinobacteria. Our survey identified more than 400 diverse prokaryotes that contain genetically linked orthologs of egtB and egtD. Phylogenetic analyses of Egt proteins show a complex evolutionary history and multiple incidences of horizontal gene transfer. Our analysis also identified two independent incidences of a fusion event of egtB and egtD in bacterial species. A genomic survey of over 100 fungal genomes shows that Egt-1 is found in all fungal phyla, except species that belong to the Saccharomycotina subphylum. This analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of the distribution of the key genes involved in the synthesis of EGT in prokaryotes and fungi. Our phylogenetic inferences illuminate the complex evolutionary history of the genes involved in EGT synthesis in prokaryotes. The potential to synthesize EGT is a fungal trait except for species belonging to the Saccharomycotina subphylum.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The 5-gene Egt Cluster Is Only Found In the Actinomycetesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolutionary history of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the antioxidant ergothioneine

Jones

Doyle

Fitzpatrick

2014

Gene

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“…13), and its depletion in mammalian cells leads to augmented oxidative damage and cell death in the presence of exogenous stressors (14). Despite the presence of EGT in mammalian cells, biosynthesis is limited to a subset of organisms, which includes actinobacteria, cyanobacteria, and specific fungi and yeast (15)(16)(17)(18). Mammals obtain EGT from dietary sources and concentrate it in tissues exposed to high levels of oxidative stress via a specific transporter (19).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulation of Ergothioneine Biosynthesis and Its Effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth and Infectivity

Richard-Greenblatt

Bach

Adamson³

et al. 2015

Journal of Biological Chemistry

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Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis synthesizes ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing molecule with unknown function. Results: egtD encodes for a histidine methyltransferase that is essential for ergothioneine biosynthesis and is negatively regulated through M. tuberculosis serine/threonine protein kinase D. Conclusion: M. tuberculosis modulates intracellular ergothioneine levels in response to starvation. Significance: Mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis senses and adapts to nutrient starvation is essential for understanding persistence and disease latency.

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Ergothioneine – a diet‐derived antioxidant with therapeutic potential

2018

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Ergothioneine is a thiol/thione molecule synthesised only by some fungi and bacteria. Nonetheless, it is avidly taken up from the diet by humans and other animals through a transporter, OCTN1, and accumulates to high levels in certain tissues. Ergothioneine is not rapidly metabolised, or excreted in urine and is present in many, if not all, human tissues and body fluids. Ergothioneine has powerful antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in vitro and there is evidence that the body may concentrate it at sites of tissue injury by raising OCTN1 levels. Decreased blood and/or plasma levels of ergothioneine have been observed in some diseases, suggesting that a deficiency could be relevant to the disease onset or progression. This brief Review explores the possible roles of ergothioneine in human health and disease.

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Cyanobacteria produce high levels of ergothioneine

Cited by 121 publications

References 29 publications

The evolutionary history of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the antioxidant ergothioneine

The evolutionary history of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the antioxidant ergothioneine

Regulation of Ergothioneine Biosynthesis and Its Effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth and Infectivity

Ergothioneine – a diet‐derived antioxidant with therapeutic potential

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